Solar panels are the wave of the future and present an attractive option for homeowners looking to harness the sun as a natural energy source.
Hoa solar panels.
Here s what hoas need to know about regulating the installation of solar panels.
In many cases hoa members may still need to request permission before installing their solar panels and ensure all electrical wiring is out of sight.
The key is to check your state s solar access rights to see if it can prevent you from going solar.
The main concern of hoa boards are that solar panels may drastically lower home values especially in cases where only a few homes within a community have panels installed.
Community officials believe solar panels change the pre planned aesthetics and landscape of the neighborhood and generally look out of place.
So long as you comply with reasonable restrictions those are stated in civil code 714 1 and 4746 an hoa cannot arbitrarily deny homeowners seeking to install solar energy systems.
Solar panels clearly fall within this definition.
Associations are not permitted to prohibit the installation of solar panels on a unit or property which is owned by a member of the association.
The cost saving benefits of the usage of solar energy and the reduction of the carbon footprint of a neighborhood are excellent reasons why homeowners consider solar energy.
Many homeowners discover after the fact that their request to install solar is denied by homeowners association board members due to clauses written in their hoa bylaws.
For example some solar access laws allow hoas to retain the right to influence the design of a rooftop solar array.