The New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA) launched
the NY-Sun PV Trainers Network to provide
training to help local officials streamline permitting
and inspection processes and to help
firefighters safely work on buildings where
solar is installed.
The training is part of a statewide strategy
to create a sustainable solar industry that will
not rely on government subsidies. It is part of
the state’s NY-Sun initiative.
The program aims to reduce some of the
obstacles to mainstream adoption of solar energy
by local governments, particularly those
related to the time and costs associated with
PV permitting, installation, inspection and
approvals by local municipalities.
Officials said the training is designed to
help streamline the approval process for local
communities and will enable them to meet
their community economic development, job
creation and sustainability goals while stimulating
wide-scale adoption of cost-effective
solar PV installations.
The workshops begin in August, and will
be provided to participants for free or at a
minimal cost.
“Providing tools and training for local
officials involved in approving solar installations
will help overcome market barriers for
installers and will streamline the process and
reduce costs,” said John B. Rhodes, president
and CEO, NYSERDA.
The training is a partnership of NYSERDA,
Meister Consultants Group, Entech Engineering,
the City University of New York (CUNY)
and other academic institutions.
“NYS is currently fifth in the country for
solar jobs, with a significant amount of PV applications
in the queue,” said Tria Case, lead
implementer of the NYSolar Smart Program
and University Director of Sustainability.
“CUNY is proud to have teamed up once again
with NYSERDA and our many partners to
provide a training network for officials across
the state that will open the door to more clean renewable energy and enable jurisdictions
to send the message that they are open for
solar business.”
The NY-Sun PV Trainers Network offers
training to a wide variety of audiences involved
in solar energy permitting, installation,
inspection and approval processes, including
local policy makers, code enforcement
officials, inspectors, engineers, architects
and first responders. The training will be
provided over a three-year period across New
York state.
The training and workshops include:
• Introduction to solar policy for planners,
administrators and code officials.
• Developing a solar strategy for planners,
administrators and code officials.
• Solar PV permitting and Inspection Methods
for electrical and building code officials.
• Solar PV engineering structural considerations
and plan review for architects, engineers and installers.
• Safety and fire considerations for solar PV
for firefighters and first responders.
Training classes will range from one-hour
webinars to half-day workshops and two-day
advanced training, each tailored to the needs
of the audience.
In addition, the network offers in-depth
technical training assistance on solar PV
policy-related topics such as:
• Incorporating solar energy into a comprehensive
plan.
• Drafting solar development regulations.
• Streamlining and troubleshooting support
of solar permitting and inspection processes.
• Identifying local solar financing options.
• Procuring solar for municipal facilities.
For more information about the NY-Sun
PV Trainers Network visit https://training.ny-sun.ny.gov.
The NY-Sun initiative is intended to provide
long-term funding certainty that will boost existing
businesses and attract new investments
to New York from global solar companies for
greater economic growth.