How to Navigate Getting Solar Panels in an HOA

“In 1970, there were around 700,000 housing units in HOAs in the US. This number grew to over 27 million housing units in 2020, a 39x increase.” – Ruby Home

Harnessing the sun’s power has never been more achievable, yet for some homeowners, the road to solar energy is paved with obstacles and detours. One of the most prevalent barriers comes from those living in a Homeowners’ Association. These entities, tasked with protecting property values, can sometimes be skeptical of solar installations, leaving homeowners with the challenge of pursuing their solar ambitions while abiding by HOA regulations. While the journey to go through your HOA may seem daunting, these roadblocks can be navigated effectively with the proper knowledge and approach. 

Here are the most common HOA roadblocks to solar and how to navigate them. 

Roadblock 1 – Aesthetic Concerns

In the eyes of a Homeowners’ Association, uniformity often equates to harmony. A consistent aesthetic across the community is seen as a critical element in preserving property values and creating a visually pleasing environment. This focus on aesthetics can often lead to restrictions on modifications that alter the external appearance of your home, including the visible installation of solar panels. The installation of solar panels can disrupt this uniform look, leading to resistance from the HOA. This is especially true if the panels are large, brightly colored, or prominently visible from the street or neighboring homes.

Solution: Smart panel selection and installation 

The key to overcoming aesthetic concerns is understanding your HOA’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) and working within these guidelines to find a solar solution that satisfies both your energy needs and the community’s aesthetic standards. Thoroughly review the CC&Rs to understand any specific restrictions on the home’s exterior modifications and engage in open communication with the HOA board to clarify any ambiguities.

With a clear understanding of what is permissible, you can explore solar panel designs that harmonize with your home’s existing architecture. Modern solar technology has evolved beyond the traditional large, blue, or black panels to include more aesthetically pleasing options. Solar shingles or tiles, for instance, blend seamlessly with traditional roofing materials and may be more acceptable to an HOA that is concerned about maintaining a uniform look.

In addition to selecting the right design, the placement of solar panels can also play a crucial role in addressing aesthetic concerns. Solar panels do not necessarily need to be installed on the front-facing part of the roof. If permissible under your HOA’s rules, consider installing them on the back or sides of the roof, where they will be less visible but still effective in generating power.

By understanding the rules, communicating effectively with your HOA, and carefully selecting the design and placement of your solar panels, you can successfully navigate the roadblock of aesthetic concerns when it comes to your solar journey.

Roadblock 2 – The Approval Process 

The process of getting solar panel installations approved by a HOA can often be a labyrinth of bureaucracy, involving lengthy meetings and discussions as well as a significant amount of paperwork. The HOA board typically needs to review and approve any major changes to a property’s exterior, including the installation of solar panels.

This approval process can involve numerous steps, from presenting a detailed proposal of the plan to attending HOA meetings to finally obtaining formal approval. This process can be daunting and time-consuming, particularly for homeowners unfamiliar with the intricacies of HOA operations and regulations.

Solution: Proactive planning and involving solar experts

The key to navigating the approval process is to plan ahead and be thoroughly prepared. Start by understanding your HOA’s rules and procedures for exterior modifications and the specific steps required for approval. Each HOA is different, so it’s essential to get this information directly from your HOA’s governing documents or from the board members themselves.

Once you understand the process, begin gathering all the necessary paperwork. This can include permits from local authorities, product specifications, a detailed plan of the proposed solar panel installation, including its placement and appearance, and any other documents required by your HOA.

Having these documents ready in advance will expedite the process and demonstrate your seriousness and preparedness, which can aid in getting your proposal approved.

Remember, patience is essential during this step. The approval process can be lengthy. Keep an open line of communication with your HOA board and provide them with any additional information they request promptly and professionally.

Involving your solar panel provider in the approval process can be beneficial. Solar companies, especially those with experience in dealing with HOAs, understand the common concerns and objections that HOAs have and know how to address them effectively.

They can provide valuable assistance in preparing your proposal and accompanying you to HOA meetings if necessary. They can also help you answer technical questions about the installation that the HOA board might have.

Navigating the approval process with your HOA can be overcome by proactive planning, patience, and involving solar experts. With these strategies, you can make the process smoother and improve your chances of getting your solar panel installation approved more rapidly.

Roadblock 3 – Limited Roof Space 

In Homeowners’ Association (HOA) communities with closely spaced homes or multi-family residences, roof space can be scarce. This scarcity poses a challenge when considering the installation of solar panels, as it can potentially limit the size, configuration, or position of the solar panel system you wish to install.

The size and direction of the roof, as well as the presence of obstructions like chimneys or vents, can all significantly affect how much solar energy a panel system can produce. With less roof space, you may not be able to install a system large enough to cover your energy needs.

Solution: Innovative solar technology and strategic installation 

Once again, your solar panel provider can be a valuable resource in addressing this roadblock, offering innovative design solutions to maximize the effectiveness of limited roof space. They can provide high-efficiency panels that deliver more power per square foot than traditional panels. These high-efficiency panels are designed to convert a larger percentage of sunlight into electricity, allowing you to get the most out of your limited roof space.

In addition to high-efficiency panels, there are also other technological advancements that can be used to overcome the issue of limited space. For instance, some companies offer solar panels that can generate electricity from both sides, effectively doubling the energy production per square foot.

Aside from the technology itself, the way the solar panels are installed can also have a significant impact on their performance. A skilled installation team can design a layout that takes full advantage of the available space, carefully considering factors such as the direction and angle of the panels to maximize sunlight exposure.

Moreover, if you have any unshaded ground space available, you might also consider a ground-mounted solar panel system. These systems can be just as effective as roof-mounted ones and can be a great alternative when roof space is limited.

It’s also important to consider local and state laws. Many areas have solar access laws that protect homeowners’ rights to install solar panels, even in HOA communities. Some of these laws limit the ability of HOAs to prohibit or restrict solar installations based on aesthetic considerations or space limitations.

In summary, while limited roof space can be a significant roadblock to installing solar panels in an HOA community, it’s not an insurmountable one. By leveraging innovative technology, strategic installation, and solar access laws, you can harness solar energy effectively, even with limited roof space.

Roadblock 4 – Shared Roofs

Shared roofs in condominiums and other multi-tenant buildings can present challenges for homeowners wishing to install solar panels. These challenges generally stem from issues related to ownership, liability, and aesthetic considerations. Since multiple residents share the same roof, a consensus may need to be reached regarding the installation of solar panels. Additionally, concerns may arise around potential damage that could occur to the roof during installation or maintenance of the solar panels.

Solution: Plan ahead and know your solar rights

In some areas, such as California, civil codes have been updated to protect the rights of condo owners to install solar systems, even if they extend over a neighbor’s portion of the roof. HOAs may require a “solar site survey” to show how the shared roof can be fairly divided between the units underneath it.

They may also require the owner to fulfill certain conditions, including maintaining, repairing, and insuring the solar system. Despite possible resistance from HOAs or neighbors, homeowners may have legal rights to install solar systems on a shared roof. However, they might be held responsible for any damage or leaks affecting all units in the building. This is why QuickBOLT is a great vendor for roof mounting because they have a zero-leak track record, which helps seal the case for your panels.

Solar Insure can help homeowners navigate these setups, ensuring that everyone benefits fairly from the solar energy generated. This includes guiding clients through the potential complexities of shared roof installations or connecting them with community solar opportunities.

They can assist in understanding and complying with local laws and regulations, negotiating with HOAs, and ensuring that agreements are fair and comply with relevant statutes. By offering this support, Solar Insure can help overcome these potential roadblocks and make solar power accessible to more people, even those living in multi-tenant buildings with shared roofs.

Navigating solar in an HOA

Living in an HOA shouldn’t mean forgoing solar power’s environmental and financial benefits. By understanding potential roadblocks and their solutions, you can harness the sun’s energy while maintaining a harmonious relationship with your HOA.

With patience, planning, and the right solar partner, the path to solar can be smoother than you think. If you’re looking for a Solar Insure Certified Installer in your area, call us, and we can guide you to the best of the best.

Resources

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/covenants_conditions_and_restrictions

http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1054/files/Solar%20Rights%20Act-A%20Review%20of%20Statutes%20and%20Relevant%20Cases.pdf