Net Metering pay back from Solar Panels

Interested to know if any HOA has restrictions to limit additional solar panels on single family homes so homeowner cannot sell back electric to power company (known as Net Metering)? Our Arch Committee is proposing to add restrictions to our rules to limit the number of solar panels a homeowner can install so it only covers their actual usage. We would have all members vote to approve change as well. We currently have our 1st home requesting over 1,000 sq ft of solar panels for a 2,800 sq ft home.

Maryland Public Service Commission & Maryland Energy Administration has drafted a document to allow up to 200% of kWh from solar panels but this has not yet been approved/released.

Thank you

Well said!

Buddy,

Per Md. REAL PROPERTY Code Ann. § 2-119 (from lexis-nexis):

(1) A restriction on use regarding land use may not impose or act to impose unreasonable limitations on the installation of a solar collector system on the roof or exterior walls of improvements, provided that the property owner owns or has the right to exclusive use of the roof or exterior walls.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, an unreasonable limitation includes a limitation that:

(i) Significantly increases the cost of the solar collector system; or

(ii) Significantly decreases the efficiency of the solar collector system.

Therefore, the question would be if limiting the number of panels decreases the efficiency of the solar collector system. I suspect that it would not.

Now, the amount of electricity needed for a family of 2 vs. a family of 4 or more is certainly different. Additionally, the output of one type of panel can vary over another type of panel. Therefore, the question I would ask is how the Association plans to determine what the output and number needed for any size family.

I think you are absolutely right. Size and/or number would affect efficiency, only location could

> MYOB and merely direct the corporate operation(s)

And your point was?

D'OH

Two dozen states, including Maryland have “solar access rights” laws that limit homeowner associations from banning solar panels. This law overrides your homeowners’ association contract that restricts you from installing the panels.

That said.... the solar panel boom is ending soon. They simply don't want the energy. They can produce it cheaper themselves. Power companies have a limit on how much solar they are willing to buy from homeowners each year. So lets say they have dollar amount on buying solar from residents. Lets say 500,000 people have solar and they are giving them .15 cents Kwh for solar energy. Now next year 1,500,000 have solar so they reduce the payment to .02 cents Kwh and start charging $35 month for netmetering account fee. Now the homeowner is loosing money each month on solar.

Solar will be dead soon.

I do not believe solar will be dead. There are too many governments subsides and tax breaks to have that happen. There is a movement in the government to encourage more "green energy" options. Hence why you get such a large tax break for installing solar panels on homes. Plus whatever money you may lose if they stop paying top dollar for excess power, the government will probably compensate in some form.

As for HOA's and green energy options. That is the new gray area. It's reminds me of the days of when Satellite Dishes where like 10 feet round. Many HOA's band those due to their ugliness. Although the smaller ones still have opposition but government support to allow. If your HOA wants to have green energy options, they do need to put that option into the CC&R's to allow. Which sounds like what the OP's HOA is trying to do.

I always suggest one of the reasons for updating your HOA documents ever 7 - 10 years is for the new types of energy or technology changes. If you look at your current copy, I am sure they still have restrictions on certain technologies like dishes that today is no longer allowed.