Solar panel installations can be done on condo's and townhomes too

While rules on the exterior of structures and enclosing property is a great way to secure fellowship rules, many times these precepts can limit people in ways that were never designed. Thanks to these new laws, California HOAs can’t prevent solar panel installations on their properties.

As the solar revolution continues to snowball, owners of condo, lofts, and townhomes felt left out because they usually had to battle their homeowner's associations to go solar. Thanks to a resolution in California law, homeowners no longer have to get approval from the HOAs.

All you have to do is search “HOA problems” to get more results than you could read in a lifetime.
 

Homeowner associations no longer have control over solar panel installations

If a condo owner desires to install solar panels onto a conventional rooftop, garage, or carport, the condo owners might demand a solar site survey before the solar panel installations. The survey determines the breakdown of usable space among all homeowners sharing the area assigned for inherent solar panel hardware. If a condo owner wants to install solar panels on their own rooftop, adjacent garage, or carport, HOAs can no longer prohibit them or require a member vote for approval.

This way the installation can be on a common roof or parking lot that everyone shares, for example. Everyone gets their own designated solar panels and even though they are all tied together, condo owners won’t end up paying for their neighbors’ electricity.

Under the new law, HOAs cannot prohibit solar installations. They must conform to the state solar policy. Here is a quick summary of the law.

The only case where the HOA could deny the solar panel installation is if the site survey determines that the rooftop solar system would be ineffective or if space allocation is improbable.

This law change will make solar panel selection in condos far smoother and more suitable for these shared-space buildings.

An immeasurable way to think of it is if half of the condo owners want to install solar panels on the property, and they have enough money and space for the project, then they can do it. The other owners don’t have to buy into the solar panels, but because of the shared cost and the obvious benefits, many of them will buy into the project, making the cost better for everyone.

The market was already heading in this direction. Developers already build condos with solar panels, this law just speeds the process up and allows existing condo owners to join the solar revolution.
 

Homeowners don't have to wait for the approval of solar panels

It is crucial to recognize that this new law does come with some provisions. Solar panel applicants in multifamily dwellings with common roof areas will likely have to notify each owner in the building of the proposed solar installation. If you share a roof with your neighbor, even though you have your own roof over your condo, you probably have to notify your neighbors that a solar panel installation is coming.

Owners who apply for a solar panel installation through the HOA might also be required to have homeowner liability coverage. They would need to provide the HOA with proof of insurance within 14 days of approval, and they would need to show proof every year.

It is an exciting time for homeowners who want to go solar

Right now is an exciting time for condo owners in California who feel they are missing the solar revolution. Solar is better, more powerful, and less expensive than ever. Now because it is extended to condo owners under the rule of homeowners associations, everyone who owns a condo or a townhome can enjoy the benefits of going solar.

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.