One California homeowner encountered a frustrating roadblock when they wanted to install solar panels — and a battery for storage — in a neighborhood within a homeowners association.
They shared their frustration with a friend, who posted seeking advice in the r/Solar subreddit. "His HOA does not block solar installs but will NOT allow batteries such as powerwall to be installed due to 'safety reasons,'" said the original poster. "Is there any protections requiring HOA's to allow installation of batteries similar to how they are required to allow panels to be installed?"
It makes sense to ask. Installing solar is one of the most effective ways to lower your electric bill, often reducing it to $0 or to a small service charge for the grid connection. Even better, the online marketplace EnergySage has free tools to help you get and compare quotes from installers in your area, allowing you to get the best deal on the installation itself and save even more money.
But to save the most money and have solar power available at night as well as during the day, you need a battery to store the power. Otherwise, you can only use your solar power immediately, while it's sunny out.
Commenters weren't sure that a case like this had ever been tested, but they guessed that the law would be on the homeowner's side.
"Unfortunately I think you need to talk to a lawyer about that," one noted.
"The relevant legislation is Civil Code Section 714," said one commenter. "... This is what prevents HOAs from blocking the installation of solar panels. IMO there's a bit of ambiguity in that the definition of 'solar energy system' defined in Section 801.5 does mention storage: 'Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating.'"
If you're hoping to take advantage of laws like these to install solar panels with the batteries to back them up, EnergySage can help you save as much as $10,000. Use its handy mapping tool to check the price of solar panels in your state and find what incentives are available to offset the cost.
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. |
The company also offers a free tool to compare quotes for a heat pump, which can be even more cost-effective when paired with solar energy. Being able to see what installers would charge before paying anything makes upgrading your HVAC system easier and more budget-friendly.
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Which of these factors is the biggest obstacle preventing you from getting solar panels? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
The upfront cost 💰 
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