Solar Where Feasible

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Affordable Solar for Affordable Housing

To address NYC’s commitment to 1 gigawatt of solar by 2030, HPD partnered with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and non-profit Solar One to develop HPD’s Solar Where Feasible program. Solar Where Feasible helps buildings optimize solar across HPD's portfolio while building capacity for builders and designers of affordable housing through free technical support. HPD’s Solar Where Feasible program has supported over 15 MW of cost-effective solar since 2020. The buildings will save approximately $1.9 million on their annual electric bills and reduce 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year.

Updates for the Solar Feasibility Analysis Tool:

The Solar Feasibility Analysis has been updated to Version 2025 1.0 to reflect changes to pricing, and incentives, including up to date information on solar tax credits. 

Updates for New Construction Projects:

Due to the success of our program and the phase-out of the affordable housing exemption of Local Laws 92/94 on November 15, 2024, HPD no longer requires HPD New Construction projects to complete a Solar Feasibility Analysis. Projects should instead follow the DOB’s guidance on LL92/94 compliance and DEP’s Unified Stormwater Rule (USWR), which is applicable to projects that disturb 20,000 sf+ of soil or create 5,000 sf+ of new impervious area and may require a green roof as part of a compliance strategy. DEP’s stormwater rule should be addressed before considering solar.

Although HPD no longer will review or sign feasibility analyses, teams are strongly encouraged to continue utilizing the tool to assess for LL92/94, to optimize their design and maximize incentives, and to estimate solar savings for underwriting purposes. Solar One will continue to provide assistance on request.


Requirements: All HPD projects are required to install solar where it is deemed cost-effective or is otherwise required (e.g., by a local law or agency requirement). All solar must comply with the Solar Technical Requirements and use an NYSERDA-approved installer. 

A Solar Feasibility Analysis with a signed Solar Approval Form is required on all HPD moderate, substantial and gut rehab projects, and for maintenance-only projects where the scope includes a new or re-warrantied roof.

  • For new construction projects, a signed Solar Feasibility Analysis is not required (as of 7/1/2024). Reference the “Underwriting Solar Savings for New Construction” document
  • For the IPNA, a Solar Feasibility Analysis is now only required if the IPNA indicates a roof replacement or significant repairs such that the roof will have at least 15 years of useful life remaining. Note that for the purposes of the IPNA, this is a preliminary screening for budgeting purposes only and is not signed by HPD.

The following projects will be exempt from the requirement to install solar:

  • Per LL92/94, projects installing a green roof over 90% of the sustainable roofing zone, projects where the roof cannot support a minimum system size of 4kW, and rehab projects deemed financially infeasible by HPD.
  • For projects not subject to LL92/ 94, projects that cannot meet a 10-year payback using the Solar Feasibility Analysis are not required to install solar.

Solar Feasibility Analysis Process for Rehabs

Review this “Solar Feasibility Analysis Process  for Rehabs” document for a step-by-step guide on completing and submitting a solar feasibility analysis.

Useful Links and Resources

Have Questions? Contact affordable@solar1.org for free technical assistance.