One Maryland homeowner whose roof wasn't a good fit for solar panels wanted to mount an array on the ground instead, but found that their homeowners association was resistant to the idea.
They posted about their frustrating experience on the r/solar Reddit forum. "Live on a one-acre property in MD within an HOA that I've never seen enforce anything (people with boats in yards, political signs etc) which I'm perfectly fine with however it seems my ground mounted solar project is their hill to die on," they said. "Solar isn't mentioned in HOA documents however they are saying it's a structure and can be denied that way."
Normally, installing solar panels is a protected activity in Maryland, and an HOA can't stop a homeowner from installing them. However, that only applies to solar panels mounted on the home itself, whether on the roof or the walls.
The original poster said that they consulted with an attorney and found that they would have no certain legal protection. They had considered tactics they thought might make the HOA back down, such as threatening to mount the solar panels on the roof and cutting down trees that were blocking the sun there.
Most homeowners in the OP's position would be just as frustrated. Solar panels make a huge difference to your home energy bills, on top of the environmental benefits of clean energy, which many people are willing to fight for. If you're one of them, EnergySage offers free tools to help you gather and compare quotes from vetted installers in your region.
In this position, faced with an uncooperative HOA, one option is to try to change the rules. Most HOAs have internal processes for changing the bylaws. With pro-solar rules in place, the only thing you'll need to worry about is finding the right supplier for your panels.
Using EnergySage's free services is incredibly valuable for homeowners — it can save you up to $10,000 in most cases, as long as you act quickly. Your installation must be completed before the end of the year, when many incentives are set to expire, according to Canary Media. You can get the specific numbers for your state and the incentives available locally using EnergySage's useful mapping tool.
Purchasing solar panels outright isn't affordable for everyone, but there are other ways to get the benefits of this technology, such as leasing the equipment. You can lock in a low rate for your electricity and ensure that you are using clean energy that helps the planet by signing up for Palmetto's LightReach solar panel leasing program. Not only does Palmetto offer plans for no money down, but it will also be responsible for installing and maintaining the solar panels.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
If you have solar panels or plans to install them and you want to save even more on energy, you need other efficient electrical appliances, such as a heat pump. To find the best installer and equipment for your situation, reach out to Mitsubishi.
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If you don't have solar panels on your home, which of these factors is the biggest barrier to installing them? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
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