Do Homeowners’ Associations generally permit Solar Panels on residents’ roofs?

5 Responses to Do Homeowners’ Associations generally permit Solar Panels on residents’ roofs?

1. Amy says:

   July 6, 2011 at 3:52 am

   Unfortunately, Texas isn’t the most solar friendly government in the country. As far as I could see, there are no solar access laws prohibiting agencies from prohibiting solar. There are some federal rules being proposed, but they won’t help you yet. Here’s a great article about HOA and solar, http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news/closing-hoa-solar-installation-restrictions

   I think a lot would depend on if the solar panels would be on the front or the back of the house. Where is south? If it is in your back yard, you might be good.

   You do have a 30% tax credit available from the federal government to help pay for a solar installation, but TX doesn’t have a state one. Some of the local utilities do, check out the DSIRE web site to see if there is one in your area. http://dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?re=1&ee=1&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=TX

   Your best bet to start with may be energy conservation. Have an energy audit done on your house to see if there are ways you can save on wasted electricity. It is 4x more cost effective to conserve energy than make it with solar. You don’t have to pay for what you don’t use.
2. roderick_young says:

   July 6, 2011 at 3:18 am

   All you can do is ask your particular Homeowner’s Association. I would think that at least solar water heating makes sense in your area.

   In California, by law neither a Homeowner’s Association nor a local government may hamper the typical installation of solar.
3. Peter says:

   July 6, 2011 at 2:40 am

   HOA are like little liberal nazi governments. A lot don’t allow solar panels.
   http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/homeowners-associationsthe-enemy-of-solar/
   http://solarpowerpanels.ws/solar-panels/install-solar-panels-homeowners-association
   http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/0103cr-solarinside0102-CP.html
   Unlike dish and directv antennas which are protected by law.
   http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html
4. Ed Smurf says:

   July 6, 2011 at 2:20 am

   Not always. Some limit Satellite TV and if they would put a limit on a 3 foot dish why not limit a bunch of solar panels on your roof? It all depends on who is running the local association and what rules they have in place?
5. MARK says:

   July 6, 2011 at 2:04 am

   Yes I’m sure they would