Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to establish a floating solar incentive and education program to provide information and resources including technical assistance, access to industry standards, and financing available through the authority or other public or private sector sources, to municipalities, developers, builders, design professionals, and potential owners for the construction of floating solar.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6577B
SPONSOR: Barrett TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
a floating solar incentive and education program
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:
To establish a floating solar incentive and education program to promote
the development and adoption of floating solar technology in New York
State.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the Public Authorities Law by adding a new Section
1885 to establish a Floating Solar Incentives and Education program,
defining "floating solar" as solar photovoltaic systems mounted on
floating structures on bodies of water. The program will provide infor-
mation, technical assistance, access to industry standards, and financ-
ing resources to municipalities, developers, and other stakeholders for
the construction of floating solar projects.
2: Effective Date
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION:
The A print added clarifying language added to limit the program to
manmade bodies of water. The B print changed the section of law and
added clarifying language that projects receiving grants through the
program are subject to Section 224-d of the Labor Law.
JUSTIFICATION:
Floating solar technology presents a unique opportunity to expand renew-
able energy generation while utilizing underutilized water surfaces such
as reservoirs, lakes, and canals. This bill seeks to incentivize and
educate stakeholders on floating solar projects, which offer multiple
benefits, including increased solar efficiency due to the cooling effect
of water, reduced land-use conflicts, and potential improvements in
water conservation and algae control.
By providing grants, technical assistance, and best practices for siting
and maintaining floating solar installations, the program will help
municipalities, developers, and other entities adopt this innovative
clean energy solution. Additionally, monitoring the environmental
impacts of floating solar ensures that projects are developed in an
ecologically responsible manner. Establishing this program will advance
New York's renewable energy goals, promote sustainable energy infras-
tructure, and support the state's ongoing efforts to combat climate
change.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6577--B
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 6, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BARRETT, P. CARROLL, SHRESTHA -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Energy -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee -- recommitted to the Committee on Energy in accordance with
Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- reported and referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
a floating solar incentive and education program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new
2 section 1886 to read as follows:
3 § 1886. Floating solar incentive and education program. 1. As used in
4 this section the term "floating solar" shall mean solar photovoltaic
5 systems mounted on floating structures or platforms on the surface of a
6 body of water, including but not limited to canals, lakes, reservoirs,
7 and ponds.
8 2. The authority shall establish and maintain a floating solar incen-
9 tive and education program pursuant to standards and criteria promulgat-
10 ed by the authority which shall provide information and resources
11 including technical assistance, access to industry standards, and
12 financing available through the authority or other public or private
13 sector sources, to municipalities, developers, builders, design profes-
14 sionals, and potential owners for the construction of floating solar.
15 3. The program shall include, but shall not be limited to:
16 (a) Grants for the development of floating solar on sites that are
17 constructed on canals, reservoirs, commercial and industrial ponds, and
18 any other artificially created body of water suitable for siting a
19 floating solar project;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09075-04-6
A. 6577--B 2
1 (b) Identification of best practices and strategies for siting float-
2 ing solar projects that protect the ecosystems of bodies of water;
3 (c) Monitoring any impacts floating solar may have on water quality,
4 water conservation, and algae control; and
5 (d) Establishing and distributing educational materials and resources
6 about siting, construction, maintenance, and available incentives on
7 floating solar.
8 4. All floating solar projects receiving grants pursuant to paragraph
9 (a) of subdivision three of this section shall be subject to section two
10 hundred twenty-four-d of the labor law.
11 5. The authority, in consultation with the public service commission
12 and the department of environmental conservation, shall promulgate all
13 rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the program.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
15 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
16 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
17 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
18 completed on or before such effective date.
