A state Supreme Court just issued a ruling in favor of energy-saving home installations for current and future homeowners in the state.
Following a dispute between the Springfield, Missouri, homeowners association and property owners, the panel of Missouri Supreme Court judges unanimously sided with the property owners, per the Springfield News-Leader.
This directly overturns a previous ruling by the Greene County Circuit Court that sided with the Granite Springs Home Owners Association.
It essentially stated that a newly moved-in couple may install solar panels only if they are not visible from the street, and that a recently passed law governing how covenants and deed holders may install solar panels does not apply retroactively.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled otherwise, however, and the law applied to both new and existing HOAs and covenants.
"This Court finds, based on the express language of the statute, the legislature intended broad applicability, extending to those covenants already in existence," reads an opinion written by Judge Robin Ransom.
This is a major win for property owners in the state, as HOAs can only adopt reasonable rules on solar panel installations that do not ban specific installation practices or accommodations, giving homeowners greater flexibility.
James Owen, executive director of clean energy nonprofit Renew Missouri and counsel Eikmeier and Love — the aforementioned couple in the Greene County Circuit Court case — said in a news release that this ruling "helps expand property owner protections overall."
"I am thrilled the Supreme Court not only held up the protections established by the Legislature but also helped make renewables and customer choice to pursue renewables more available in our state," Owen continued.
HOAs' efforts to prevent homeowners from installing money-saving upgrades, such as rooftop solar panels, are nothing new, but this story demonstrates how residents can work within the law to overcome these practices.
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Save $1,000 this year 💸 Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills
Developing an understanding of HOA bylaws, as well as the laws of your state, can give you the knowledge necessary to push back against unfair HOA conditions and work with your HOA board to start implementing desired changes.
In doing so, you can make smart upgrades to your home that slash monthly energy bills and save you hundreds or thousands of dollars per year, especially if you utilize the right tools and services to get the job done.
Here are a few options for services that provide smart home upgrades in a range that fits your budget:
• EnergySage can help you save up to $10,000 on installations by curating competitive bids from local installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down LightReach solar leasing program can lower your utility rate by up to 20%
• TCD's Solar Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from a preferred partner
In addition, pairing solar panels with other energy-efficient appliances can further reduce utility costs, including your HVAC system, which can account for up to 50% of your monthly electricity costs.
TCD's HVAC Explorer can connect you with partner programs that make it easy to explore your options, such as Mitsubishi, which can identify trusted installers that can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home.
Palmetto also offers a $0-down HVAC leasing program that can reduce your energy costs by up to 50%. Additionally, the Palmetto Home app can help you earn $5,000 in rewards to put toward home upgrades.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
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