How Mayor Mamdani Could Advance Solar in NYC

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The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) is leaning into 2026 with some thorough ideas for how Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani could help advance solar power and energy storage in the Big Apple. A week before Christmas, the organization released a “playbook” for what the mayor should do.

“The memo outlines high-impact solar + storage policies and programs that the Mamdani Administration could advance to lower New Yorkers’ electricity bills, improve air quality, and make the City more resilient,” the organization wrote. Each item includes a proposal, why it matters, and the actions that need to be taken. You can view the full playbook here.

Just listing each item out, though, here are the 10 key policy recommendations in the playbook:

1. Raise NYC’s solar goal to 2 gigawatts by 2035, raise NYC’s energy storage goal to 2 gigawatts by 2030, and support the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act to raise New York’s statewide solar goal.

2. Align the New York City Fire Code with the recently enacted state fire code to allow safe residential battery installations.

3. Support state legislation to make the New York City Solar & Storage Property Tax Abatement refundable for nonprofits and income-restricted affordable housing (S.4272 | A.5959).

4. Allow Covered Buildings to purchase credits from in-city behind-the-meter solar energy systems on small buildings for Local Law 97 compliance.

5. Clarify that in-City solar and energy storage can be used for Local Law 97 compliance beyond 2029 and ensure that the carbon emissions reduction value of solar energy is accurately accounted for.

6. Expedite electrical inspections by allowing self-certification or expanding the use of Special Inspection Agencies for standard rooftop solar systems.

7. Call on Con Edison to provide transparent and fair access to the electric distribution system for battery energy storage systems.

8. Expand DOB and FDNY staffing and streamline permitting for community batteries.

9. Support sales tax exemption for BESS equipment.

10. Scale up solar + storage on public buildings, and launch robust programs to: 1) assist New York building owners, renters, and homeowners to adopt cost-saving clean energy solutions; and 2) to educate stakeholders about the benefits of clean energy.

Have any big ideas to add?