Homeowners associations and solar access
- Factsheet
If you live in a planned development or condominium, chances are you had to join a homeowners association (HOA) upon buying your property. HOAs establish rules for a neighborhood’s aesthetic and raise money for shared amenities like pools and tennis courts.
Many HOAs also have rules for installing solar systems. Your HOA may restrict where and how you install your system. It may even prohibit the installation altogether.
We discussed your rights as a homeowner and how to work with your HOA. Watch the full interview on The Weather Channel.
Protections for solar homeowners
Solar United Neighbors is fighting to protect and deepen solar access for homeowners and property owners across the country. We want to ensure that HOAs or other governing bodies do not make installing solar difficult.
SUN’s work to strengthen solar access includes:
- Protecting Minnesota homeowners’ right to install solar,
- prohibiting D.C. HOAs from preventing solar installations,
- securing protections for Ohio homeowners’ solar rights,
- and working to pass solar access laws in Indiana.
Responding to the needs of solar homeowners, many states have enacted laws protecting homeowners’ rights to go solar. These laws generally fall under two categories: solar access laws and solar easements.
Solar access laws
Solar access laws ensure that governing HOAs cannot prohibit their members from installing solar on their properties. However, they do often allow HOAs to place “reasonable restrictions” on solar systems. For example, some solar access laws allow HOAs to influence the design of a rooftop solar array. 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.
Solar easements
Some states protect the rights of their residents to negotiate what are called “solar easements” with their neighbors and HOAs. A solar easement is a voluntary agreement that a property owner enters into with their neighbors or HOA. With a solar easement, the property owner can ensure that their solar system gets enough sunlight to remain productive. An easement can specify many different things. Some easements require that neighbors keep their trees trimmed. Others restrict neighbors from building additions that would obstruct your solar panels.
Fighting for solar access in your HOA?
We protect solar rights
Everyone should be able to generate their own electricity, and that includes homeowners with HOAs. We’re here to help you fight for solar access.
HOAs and solar access in your state
Is your HOA restricting your solar access?
Use our free HOA Solar Action Guide to learn how to overcome HOA objections to solar. Get practical solutions for making your HOA more solar-friendly.
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