You may be a condo owner wanting to go solar but questioning if it is possible. In 2019, more than 2 million households installed solar energy systems. Installing solar panels is gaining more popularity as they can lower utility bills and increase home value. However, living in a condominium unit can make going solar more complicated. But with some research and patience, you can still install your own, benefit from solar energy and lower your energy bills.
Solar Energy Regulations in Condominiums
Before installing solar energy in your condo, you should check with your HOA to ensure that you comply with the regulations and laws governing solar energy installation. The two main things you need to clear off are:
- Roof ownership
- HOA approval
Roof ownership: Before installing solar on the rooftop of your condo, you must ensure you own the section of the roof you wish to install solar on. Without ownership, you have no right to install a solar panel system. You should check the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCR&Rs) and HOA on who is responsible for maintaining the property and community.
Homeowners Association Approval: HOAs decide on the condominium’s aesthetic features and rules. Typically, condo owners share common amenities and expenses such as fitness centers, green spaces, and roofs. As a condo owner, you likely pay monthly fees to the HOA for the upkeep of shared spaces. If the roof is a shared space, talk to your neighbors and HOA to devise a solution for equitably using the area.
Solar Condo Legislation
Some states have passed “Solar Access Rights” legislation to ensure accessibility for sourcing clean energy. If this legislation exists in your area, it overrides HOAs restricting condo owners from installing solar panels as long as you own the roof where they intend to install them.
The states with Solar Access Rights are the following based on the Data Base of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE):
Community solar vs. home solar for condo owners
Home and community solar are two solar power systems ideal for condo owners.
Community solar is where multiple people in the condo complex own a portion of the solar energy system. The electricity generated by the system is divided among the owners, so each household gets a part of the savings. In most cases, however, the system is owned and managed by a third company. And each owner pays a monthly fee to use the system. This setup benefits condo owners because it eliminates costly installation and maintenance.
This type of system offers many advantages, such as a lower upfront cost, reduced risk, and the ability to benefit from solar energy without installing your own system.
If your condo is connected to its own electric meter, signing up for community solar wouldn’t be a problem, even without consulting your HOA. But, if your electric meter is connected to multiple condo units, HOA’s approval may be necessary. You’ll receive two monthly bills if you sign up for a community solar. One from your utility company and one from the community solar provider. If all members of your HOA collectively sign up for community solar, the bill will likely be paid as part of your HOA fees.
The home solar system is perfect for condo owners with the resources to invest in their own solar system. If you own roof rights to all or a portion of the condo’s roof, and your condo has its own electric meter, you can install solar and directly reap its benefits.
In some cases, condo owners in an HOA opt to install a solar panel system on the property. Or newly established condo buildings may already have installed solar panel systems. Given this situation, the electricity generated by the system is often shared by all condo owners in the HOA. If all the units share one electric meter, this might apply to their collective electric bill. Or, if they have separate electric meters, they may choose to power shared areas like a gym or a hallway with a solar system.
Community and home solar have advantages and disadvantages. Weighing the pros and cons before committing to either option is essential. At DroneQuote, we want to make sure you make the right decision for your specific needs. We’ll provide you with detailed information on solar energy systems so you can make an informed decision.
Don’t wait – start going solar with DroneQuote today!