City officials have launched a formal investigation into the fatal solar panel accident that claimed the life of Lyudmila Braun, as cleanup and recovery efforts continue following the powerful nor’easter that hit New York City.
The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) confirmed the solar panels were installed on a parking structure belonging to a residential complex at 3000 Ocean Parkway. The panels were added by Best Energy Power, a private solar equipment company. As a precaution, DOB has issued stop-work orders and vacate notices for the affected parking area. Inspectors also closed the adjacent sidewalk and nearby Q train entrance while structural evaluations continue.
Crews were seen Monday inspecting the damaged solar canopy to determine how the heavy panel detached in the storm’s strong winds. So far, the exact cause of the failure remains unknown. The company responsible for the installation has not provided public comment.
“This was a tragic and completely preventable accident,” said one local resident. “It’s a reminder that safety standards must keep up with new technologies.”
At the time of the incident, New York City was under a wind advisory, with sustained gusts exceeding 40 mph. The nor’easter also brought coastal flooding and widespread power outages across Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. The Parks Department reported 265 fallen trees citywide and at least a dozen blocked roadways — half of which had been cleared by Monday morning.
Officials say the investigation will include a review of building permits, installation records, and weather resilience standards for rooftop and parking canopy solar systems. The tragic death has renewed calls for stronger regulations on green energy structures to ensure public safety during extreme weather events.
As cleanup efforts continue, residents in the Coney Island area are mourning a neighbor remembered as kind and soft-spoken — and calling for accountability to ensure no family experiences a similar loss again.