Navigating HOA Restrictions on Solar Installations with Helio GreenTech
When it comes to making the green switch in neighborhoods across Topeka, Kansas City, and throughout, homeowners are often faced with a hurdle - Homeowners Associations (HOAs). While states like Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado have fortified homeowner rights, enabling them to install solar panels, Kansas residents often find themselves at the behest of their HOAs.
Recent legal advancements in neighboring states have rendered it difficult for HOAs to impede the solar aspirations of homeowners. Unfortunately, in Kansas, state protection is not as robust.
However, the team at Helio GreenTech believes in advocating for solar power’s myriad benefits to both homeowners and their respective communities.
Here are six reasons why HOAs in Kansas should be more amenable to solar installations:
Property Value Enhancement: Solar installations can significantly boost property values, benefiting the entire community.
Environmental Conservation: They reduce carbon footprint, promoting a greener, cleaner neighborhood.
Energy Independence: Solar power reduces dependence on the grid, offering resilience during power outages.
Community Aesthetics: Modern solar panels are sleek and can be aesthetically integrated into various architectural designs.
Financial Savings: Homeowners can save substantially on electricity bills, increasing disposable income to invest back into the community.
Public Perception: A solar-friendly community is often viewed as progressive and environmentally responsible, attracting like-minded residents.
For the Kansas homeowner eyeing the shift to solar, especially in the light of Evergy's pricing dynamics, the advantages are clear:
Cost Savings: With energy prices on the rise, solar offers a route to significant savings.
Energy Independence: Take control of your energy generation and consumption.
Environmentally Friendly: Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener Earth.
Increased Home Value: Solar installations are a coveted feature for homebuyers in cities like Topeka and Overland Park.
Low Maintenance: Once installed, solar panels require minimal maintenance but offer consistent energy output.
However, the journey to solar adoption is not without its roadblocks. Despite new laws protecting solar installations, some HOAs, like the one in Parkville, Missouri, are still attempting to impose restrictions. Laurie McGuire’s ongoing struggle underscores the need for clarity in legislation and policies that unequivocally support homeowners’ rights to choose solar power.
Contact Helio GreenTech today.
Missouri Solar Law
A new law that took effect on January 1, 2023, in Missouri, has implications for homeowner associations (HOAs) regarding the use of solar energy within their communities. Solar energy has been recognized as a property right in the state since 1979. The new legislation, outlined in Section 442.404.1(3) of the Missouri Revised Statutes, particularly affects HOAs but excludes condominium owner associations and residential cooperatives.
Under the new statute, homeowners are granted the right to install and use solar panels on their own roofs to generate solar energy. However, the law still allows HOAs to prohibit the installation of these devices on roofs that are owned by the Association or on locations other than rooftops. Additionally, the statute permits HOAs to establish “reasonable rules” concerning the installation and operation of solar panels or collectors. These rules are not to prevent installation, impair functionality, restrict usage, or adversely impact the cost or efficiency of the devices.
HOAs with existing governing documents that limit or prohibit the installation of solar collection devices are advised to review and potentially revise these documents to align with Missouri’s updated solar panel law. For assistance in this review and modification process, HOAs can seek legal guidance to ensure compliance with the new legislative requirements.
This development aligns Missouri with other states like Illinois, where similar protections for homeowners wanting to harness solar energy are in place. The move is seen as a positive step towards promoting the use of clean, renewable energy while balancing the aesthetic and functional concerns of homeowner associations.
The law signifies progress in the ongoing efforts to make solar energy accessible and manageable within residential communities while respecting the regulatory roles of homeowner associations. It aims to strike a balance between individual homeowners' rights to harness solar energy and the collective interests of HOA communities. This is especially relevant in a time where the shift towards renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly significant.
If you're in Missouri and considering the shift to solar energy, this law simplifies the process, offering clearer pathways and fewer restrictions to harnessing solar power. For tailored advice and assistance, reaching out to legal experts who are well-versed in these evolving regulations can be invaluable.
In the face of Evergy’s evolving pricing structure and with the legal clarity in Kansas, turning to solar energy has never been more pertinent. Helio GreenTech stands at the forefront, offering customized, efficient, and affordable solar solutions. We are committed to helping Kansas City residents navigate through the shifting energy terrains, ensuring that every household can harness the sun’s power for reliable, cost-effective, and green energy.
As we move into a future where energy pricing is as dynamic as it is unpredictable, Helio GreenTech is your steadfast partner, ensuring that your home is powered affordably, sustainably, and reliably, no matter the changes on the horizon. Join us in the green revolution, where we turn challenges into opportunities, and every ray of sunshine into a step towards a brighter, greener, and more affordable tomorrow.
Get a free, no obligation online quote today.
Federal Solar Access Laws
Currently, the United States lacks federal solar access laws that would prevent Homeowners Associations (HOAs) from restricting solar panel installations. A previous attempt to establish such laws, HR 2454 – The American Clean Energy and Security Act, was proposed during the Obama Administration but did not pass. This proposed law would have barred HOAs from limiting solar installations within their communities.
Contact Helio GreenTech today to get your free quote.
Tips for Working with your HOA
Getting Homeowners Association (HOA) approval for solar installations can be challenging, especially in regions without clear solar access laws. Here are some strategies that solar contractors can use:
Understanding Local Laws:
Contractors should be knowledgeable about the local laws related to solar installations. Educating clients on their rights is vital to counter any attempts by HOAs to bend or misinterpret the rules.
Prepare Essential Documents:
Keep a record of the regulations governing solar installations in various HOA communities. Being prepared with official documents and links can help rebuke unlawful denials and streamline the installation process.
Educational Approach:
Educating HOAs about the aesthetic and economic benefits of solar panels can sometimes overturn bans or restrictions. Modern panels come in various designs that can blend with the home’s aesthetics and increase property values.
Community Mobilization:
Working with the community to update outdated HOA rules can open up opportunities for solar installations. By educating residents and offering incentives like group discounts, residents can be motivated to push for changes in HOA regulations.
Key Quotes for Integration:
SolarGraf, a leading solar software company that recently partnered with Enphase that when working with an HOA remember that there should be an appeal process listed in your HOA covenants or bylaws, be prepared and "Remember, HOAs, […] can often try to get away with bending the rules in the hopes that the people they are meant to serve are ignorant of what they are or aren’t allowed to do with their property."
Imagine an HOA that banned gas or electric meters, air conditioning, plumbing vents, chimneys, or attic vents? What may have been considered as an eyesore twenty years ago might now be a symbol of a fresh, progressive community that people would want to live in. The aesthetics of solar has improved, as well as the efficiency, financial benefits and environmental benefits of going solar are more important now than ever before. Dialogue is often key, why would and HOA try to prevent a homeowner from doing something so impactful?"
