One frustrated homeowner wanted to shift away from their state's dirty energy sources and install solar panels on their home. Just one problem: They live in an area where that is prohibited.
They turned to r/solar to look for advice. "I live in a historic district that prohibits visible solar installation," they explained in their post. "The front of our house faces south, so that means we can't have solar on the front. It's not a real issue for me because our roofline is too broken up for that to be a good install site anyhow, but I started looking into how to push back on these standards. My state prohibits HOAs from blocking solar installations — can I use that to argue that the historic district also can't prohibit visible solar?"
It makes sense for the original poster to switch to solar if they can. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to power your home, since solar panels pay for themselves and then continue generating essentially free energy. When paired with a battery for storage, they can even make your house independent from the grid for power.
There are multiple options for installing solar, including buying and leasing; you can learn more and find out how to save money (up to $10,000) through TCD's Solar Explorer.
Unfortunately, commenters were skeptical about whether the original poster would succeed with their legal argument.
"I don't think a historic district is equivalent to a HOA," wrote one. "Is it worth your time/money to fight?"
The original poster agreed that it might not be, but did seem to think that they might be able to find allies. "I would definitely talk with others to see if there's an appetite for the fight first," they replied.
For those who can install panels, TCD's Solar Explorer is a reliable way to find concierge-level service from solar partners in your area. Partners like Palmetto can offer leasing subscription options such as the LightReach program, which can cut your utility rate by up to 20% with a $0-down plan, allowing you to benefit from federal tax credits that are ending for individual consumers.
Save $10,000 on solar panels — or get them on your roof without paying for purchase or installation Whatever your solar budget, Palmetto can help you save. If you want to buy your own panels, Palmetto's concierge advisors can help you save up to $10,000 on installation through a network of preferred installers. And if you'd rather get solar savings without upfront costs, Palmetto's revolutionary LightReach subscription program can deliver. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it painless to lock in long-term savings. Palmetto covers a 25-year warranty for the panels, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just answer a few basic questions about your home and connect with Palmetto's experts to find the option that's right for you. |
If you would rather buy your solar panels outright, EnergySage can simplify the process and save you cash by curating bids from nearby providers and information about available incentives.
If you want to add other electric appliances in addition to your solar panels, you can save even more on your utility costs.
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Are you able to install solar panels where you live? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Yes 👍 An excellent choice is energy-efficient HVAC equipment, such as a heat pump. To find one that fits your budget and will work correctly in your home, visit TCD's HVAC Explorer.
And for an extra boost, earn up to $5,000 in rewards that you can spend on home upgrades by taking simple actions in your everyday life through the free Palmetto Home app.
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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