The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a statewide general permit for the construction of solar photovoltaic projects with a nameplate generating capacity of no more than 25 megawatts in state-regulated freshwater wetlands and adjacent areas, protected waterbodies, and navigable waters. The Solar Photovoltaic Projects General Permit (GP-0-25-004) has an effective date of July 15, 2025, and an expiration date of July 14, 2030. GP-0-25-004 authorizes the following activities: construction of temporary and permanent access roads and associated vegetation clearing; construction of power interconnections and collection lines; construction of solar photovoltaic infrastructure on existing paved areas and other structures; vegetation clearing, ground disturbance, and installation activities necessary for the construction of the solar facility; and freshwater wetland mitigation activities in areas under DEC jurisdiction. The permit authorizations include ECL Article 24 Freshwater Wetlands and ECL Article 15 Stream Disturbance.
The General Permit contains a full description of the types of activities eligible for coverage, along with all the terms and conditions, and is provided below. Additionally, the Joint Application Form, Supplemental Application Form (FW-4), and detailed application instructions are provided below.
General Permit GP-0-25-004 (PDF)
Joint Application Form (PDF)
Joint Application Form Instructions (PDF)
Supplemental Application Form FW-4 (PDF)
Supplemental Application Form Instructions (PDF)
Authorization Procedure
Anyone proposing to undertake an activity that is included in this General Permit must submit a Joint Application Form and Supplemental Application Form FW-4 to the appropriate Regional Permit Administrator with a copy [email protected].
No work shall commence until the Applicant receives the countersigned application and all other applicable state and local approvals.
If the project does not qualify for coverage under the General Permit, or cannot be approved under the General Permit, an individual permit is required.
Comments
A public comment period for the Solar Photovoltaic Projects General Permit (GP-0-25-004) was provided. In response to public comments received on the draft Community Solar General Permit, NYSDEC has prepared a Response to Comments provided below.
