Brian Nearing is reporting for the Times Union New York is looking to encourage development of more community-based solar energy projects, particularly in the National Grid territory around the Capital Region. The state Public Service Commission released a staff study this week that called for boosting credits to support so-called "distributed energy" projects, which include solar and wind systems. Part of that proposal identifies National Grid as lagging in goals established under a system meant to encourage more community renewable power systems. National Grid represents roughly 1.6 million electric customers and 600,000 natural gas customers in the Capital Region and at other locations upstate. Under a program called "distributed energy," National Grid was set aside credits to cover up to more than 470 megawatts of new renewable energy projects. So far, only 90 megawatts have gone in, according to the PSC report. Other utilities, such as Central Hudson and Orange & Rockland, have already gone through their credits. The credits were created as a temporary transition from net metering to distributed energy. Renewable energy advocates said the proposed changes could help stimulate more renewable energy projects in the state. The PSC is taking comments on the proposal through Oct. 22. Read the full story in the Times Union.