A group of stakeholders has petitioned the New York Public Service Commission to waive a requirement that community DG facilities must have at least 10 members. This request, supported by the City of New York, Grid Alternatives and Natural Resources Defense Council, is confined to community DG projects — including community solar projects — located on properties with multiple residential units.

The petition asserts that a waiver would allow greater opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents by allowing a small on-site system to serve a small number of customers in smaller multi-unit buildings. This sector has significant market potential in New York City, where roughly 40% of residents live in buildings with five or fewer units, according to the petition.