Are you a North Carolina resident trying to install solar on your home or property, but having difficulty with your Home-Owners Association (HOA)? NCSEA wants to hear from you.
Many homeowners across the state have been prohibited from installing solar by their HOA. This has been a real challenge for North Carolinians who are looking to reduce their energy bills and increase their property value. As NCSEA gathers more information on this topic, we need to hear from those currently struggling with this issue.
Urge Legislators to Remove HOA Solar Restrictions
Under current North Carolina law, deed restrictions, such as those governing a homeowner's association (HOA), can prohibit NC residents from installing solar panels that are visible from public places. However, some governing authority by HOAs did change recently after a NC Supreme Court decision limited their authority to deny solar via architectural review committees (more on that decision from our partners at the Southern Environmental Law Center here). HOAs and HOA management companies can still use restrictive covenants to force a homeowner to reposition a solar installation, often resulting in reduced sunlight exposure and diminished performance of the installation, ultimately resulting in a major financial loss to the homeowner.
In 2021, a bill was introduced in the North Carolina State House - House Bill 842 Clarify Deed Restrictions/Solar Collectors (HB 842) that would have prohibited restrictive HOAs from denying rooftop solar installation. It also stipulates that rooftop solar panel position may be regulated by the HOA as long as such regulation does not reduce operating efficiency by more than 10 percent. While that bill did not reach final passage for the Governor’s signature, we believe it possesses the language necessary to ensure homeowners can install solar if they would like.
Now, the North Carolina State House is currently holding a Committee to study HOAs and their impacts on homeowners across the state. This is our opportunity to reach out and urge committee members to protect homeowners and their private property rights, while promoting economic development across the state. Tell your legislator why you believe solar is right that all homeowners across the state should possess.
