HOA and solar panels in CA

[jamesbond007]

So I heard about the 1971 Solar Rights Act and it's amendments  and read about some case studies. In essence, the case studies focused on solar water heater etc and not exactly Soalr Panels on the roof. Anyone had any good luck dealing with HOA to install Solar Panels in California? If so, what was your strategy to convince them? Industry analysis shows that installing Solar Panels enough to power a house boosts it value by about 10%? Now, how to I convince the dunces on the HOA board to agree to it?


I use only about 250kwh on an average per month for my townhome. It's not much but I want to make sure I get Solar in place before the inevitable price increase in the future and also to make sure I contribute to the betterment of the environment. It may not be financially feasible for a long time since I use less power than an average household but I want to make sure I am doing whatever is in my power to reduce my carbon footprint.

[Another Reader]

Have you talked to your HOA and read the CC&R's?  If your complex is newer, the issue may have been addressed.  Does anyone else have solar panels in the development?

In Arizona, leased solar panels make it much more difficult to sell a house.  The selling price is usually lower than a house without solar panels, and the market is smaller.  The lease payments make it harder to qualify for a mortgage and buyers are leery of leases.  I would be skeptical of claims of value increases because of solar.  I would want to see a paired sales analysis before I bought into that.

Finally, consider waiting.  In California, the maximum kilowattage under NEM 1.0 has been reached.  You will be under NEM 2.0, which is much less favorable to the customer.  This change should be priced in by next spring as word gets around.

[jamesbond007]

Have you talked to your HOA and read the CC&R's?  If your complex is newer, the issue may have been addressed.  Does anyone else have solar panels in the development?

In Arizona, leased solar panels make it much more difficult to sell a house.  The selling price is usually lower than a house without solar panels, and the market is smaller.  The lease payments make it harder to qualify for a mortgage and buyers are leery of leases.  I would be skeptical of claims of value increases because of solar.  I would want to see a paired sales analysis before I bought into that.

Finally, consider waiting.  In California, the maximum kilowattage under NEM 1.0 has been reached.  You will be under NEM 2.0, which is much less favorable to the customer.  This change should be priced in by next spring as word gets around.

Oh wasn't aware of the NEM 1.0 KW. Thanks for pointing it out.