Snow, Ice Falling From Suffolk County Solar Panels Causing Damage To Cars

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- After last week's frigid temperatures, Monday felt like a big thaw, but beware of melting snow and ice.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, a fix is in the works on Long Island to stop ice and snow from damaging cars at county parking lots.

The solar panels atop Suffolk County's carports went up with the best of intentions.

The count earns income by leasing the land for solar panels that produce clean energy. But they also produce an unexpected hazard.

"There is a big pile of glass and my windshield was crashed, but I'm lucky because it could have come off as a sheet and taken of someones head," said Steve Weissbard.

When last winter's snow started to thaw, visitors and workers at six county courts and office buildings had to dodge ice daggers.

"It was like 5-6 feet long. It would just fall. It was dangerous because it could hurt people," said one man.

"Sharp things and when it drops, it drops right onto cars," a woman said.

The danger prompted the Swiss company that installed the carports to hang warning signs. But drivers fault the sloping design.

"You can see the pitch, they must be 20 feet off the ground. And when they come off, they come off in a thundering crash," said one man.

Suffolk officials said the contractor reimbursed drivers for damage and promised others fixes.

"If the snow is greater than 3 inches, the company will bring someone in to essentially sweep the snow off or push the ice off," said Suffolk Commissioner of Public Works Gil Anderson.

But attorney Ken Mollins said design corrections are needed.

"They're telling the world in those signs that they know it's dangerous," he said. "Once they know it's dangerous, they can't allow people or property to be subject to risks."

Mollins said the additional victims would be Suffolk's tax payers, if the county is hit with lawsuits as a result of a danger that went uncorrected.

A new contractor recently took over the lease and is re-assessing the danger, Gusoff reported.

But in the meantime, "If it's going to dent your car, what's it going to do to you?" said Scott Cinhin.

Suffolk County has no figures on how many cars were damaged by falling snow and ice.

Claims can be initiated by sending an email to claimsrequest@capdyncei.com, where you will receive a response providing a link to the claim form and detailed instructions on how to proceed.

Claims for damage and alternate transport may also be pursued through the claimants' regular auto insurance.

The owner of the solar systems, TerraForm Power, told CBS2 in a statement: "Safety is of utmost importance to TerraForm Power. We acquired solar systems at several parking areas owned by Suffolk County in late December and are working closely with the seller, Capital Dynamics, to ensure the snow mitigation measures previously agreed to with the County are being completed in a timely manner.

"These measures include the installation of cameras for monitoring conditions in remote locations, the removal of snow once it has reached certain depths on the panels, and the installation of signage throughout the parking areas."

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