Installing Home Solar Panels With An HOA

If you have a homeowner’s association (HOA) for your property, you’re probably aware that you need to get permission for certain renovations and alterations to your home. In many cases, HOAs require that you get approval for solar panel installations. This isn’t always easy – some homeowners report that their HOA denied their request for aesthetic reasons.

Luckily, many states have solar access rights that protect your right to install a solar energy system on your home. If you’re considering solar panels but have an HOA, it’s important to be aware of your solar rights as a property owner.

What Solar Access Rights Look Like

There are two major types of solar access right that protect a citizen’s rights to go solar: solar access laws and solar easements. Both protect your ability to generate solar electricity for your home, but each addresses a different roadblock for homeowners.

Solar Access Laws

Solar access laws are state-level laws that prohibit or limit restrictions on solar installations. If you live in a state that has a solar access law, your HOA cannot legally prohibit you from installing solar on your property. That being said, while solar access laws protect property owners from being denied the right to install solar on their roof, they vary from state to state. In most cases, HOAs still have the right to placerestrictions on how you install solar on your property.

Historic districts may have similar rights to restrict certain solar installations in the name of historic preservation. While installation restrictions at historic properties can vary depending on the district or property in question, they typically include stipulations to protect both the structure and the aesthetics of the historic property.

Some of the common restrictions that HOAs and historic districts put on solar installations include requiring flush-mounted panels, prohibiting ground mounted solar panels, requiring that rooftop installations aren’t visible from the public right-of-way, and using equipment that matches the color of the roof. These sorts of restrictions can make it difficult, or costly, for a homeowner to go solar.

Solar Easements

While solar access laws protect your right to install solar on your roof, solar easements provide a legal avenue for homeowners to protect their home’s access to sunshine. In states with solar easements, property owners can negotiate with their neighbors to protect their right to sunlight and prevent obstructions, such as trees or structures on a neighbor’s lawn, that cast shade on their panels.

Unlike solar access laws, solar easements are voluntary. If you negotiate a solar easement for your home, it needs to be carried out in writing. Solar easements require a detailed description of the dimensions of where the easement will exist (i.e., the space horizontally and vertically above your rooftop), as well as height restrictions on various parts of the neighboring property. They also may include terms for the easement’s termination, any compensation being offered in exchange for creating and maintaining the easement, or even fees to be paid if the easement is violated.

How Geography Plays a Role in Solar Access Rights

In addition to solar access laws and easements, many states have additional provisions to protect your solar access rights. These laws are constantly changing. Let’s take a look at examples from two of our biggest states with hot solar markets: California and New York.

Solar Access Laws: California

California established the Solar Rights Act in 1978, which limits the ability of HOAs and local governments to prevent the installation of solar panel systems. In addition, all property owners in the Golden State enjoy solar easement rights, which they can carry out on a case-by-case basis with their neighbors. California also has the Solar Shade Control Act, which prohibits tree branches from shading solar panels (applicable if the tree was planted after the solar energy system was installed).

 

So, Can My HOA Stop Me From Going Solar?

The short answer is, it depends where you live. Luckily, as more states are realizing the benefits of clean energy and solar continues to grow, solar access rights are becoming more common. If you’re contemplating solar, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) offers comprehensive information about state and local solar access rights. You can search by state, and then filter your results for “Solar/Wind Access Policies” to find relevant solar rights and easement laws where you live.

If you’re trying to get approval from your HOA board, reinforce the positive benefits of solar homes in the neighborhood: it helps property owners save money, it can increase your property’s value, and it decreases the carbon footprint of the neighborhood. The solar industry also help support your local economy.

You can also get other property owners in the neighborhood on board and show solidarity. If you’re still having trouble getting approval from your HOA from solar panels, look at possible technology alternatives: some might be okay wit solar shingles or other solar technologies that still help you save money.

Courtesy of: Home Advisor

For more information regarding real estate tips, visit Kathy McCarthy’s website or Facebook page!

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5 Ways You’re Losing Money On Your Home Energy Bill

Many homeowners don’t realize that they use several forms of energy, and they often don’t realize how much energy they can save. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most homeowners spend over $2,000 annually on utilities alone. It is also estimated that as much as 25 percent of this money is wasted by inefficient appliances and HVAC systems as well as leaky doors and windows. Making some easy changes can reduce your energy bill by up to several hundred dollars.

Go Low Flo

Water represents an energy cost because it is often heated for cleaning and bathing. Installing low-flow shower heads will result in energy savings by using less hot water. Most of the traditional showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute, but the low flow showerheads use 1.5 gallons of water per minute.

Buy Energy Star Appliances

According to Energy Star, Energy Star-rated appliances use up to 50 percent less energy than their unrated counterparts use. These appliances are more efficient, and they will save a lot of money. Energy Star-rated products include dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, ranges and televisions. While it may not be practical to buy new appliances just for the Energy Star rating, it is a good idea to buy these when replacing your appliances.

Keep The Heating and Cooling Units Working at Peak Efficiency 

Operating these units can consume up to 50 percent of your home’s overall utility costs. Hiring a professional expert to inspect and repair these units before the beginning of their operating season will go a long way toward ensuring they will operate efficiently and when you need them. Changing the furnace filter monthly is an excellent idea. Clear the encroaching growth around the air conditioning equipment that is outside. Make sure the fins are cleaned using a professional product. Installing a programmable thermostat will save energy.

Replace Incandescent Light Bulbs With Energy-Efficient Bulbs 

Replacing the traditional bulbs with the compact fluorescent bulbs is one of the easiest energy-saving changes you can make. According to Energy Star, replacing just five of the most frequently used bulbs can save almost $70 annually.

Make Sure There Are No Areas Around The Windows That Air Can Enter or Escape

This is one of the most common problems that homeowners face when looking for ways that energy is wasted. Replace weatherstripping around doors and caulking around door and window frames. The Energy Audit Institute says that 12 percent of a home’s heat loss occurs around doors and windows. Weatherstripping needs to be replaced every few years because it cracks and wears out, and caulking drys out.

For more information regarding real estate tips, visit Kathy McCarthy’s website or Facebook page!

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