Speaker for Solar Panel Presentation

I am with an HOA in South Carolina. One of the emerging topics before our HOA is managing requests for the addition of solar panel systems to the neighborhood. I would like to recruit a speaker to hold a seminar for our board on the modern technology and the approaches that various HOAs have in managing solar additions in the community. SC does not currently have solar access rights legislation. Can you recommend a suitable speaker?

Thanks,

Charleston SC HOA

One of our members is adding solar panels and the company offered to make a presentation to the board and/or any interested owners, so local solar companies could be a good option.

Our HOA installed solar panels to heat the swimming pool. This was 15 years ago.

Shortly thereafter, they stopped working for some unknown reason and there was no company locally that could or would service them.

Now comes "by what authority" were the panels installed? Are they are material alteration of the common property? Do the governing documents require affirmation of the owners for the capital expenditure? And, who benefited from the purchase and why was no provision made for ongoing maintenance?

My brother in law has a solar business in California. Solar panels are not a slam dunk and require more than the relatively cheap cost of the panels and install. The energy credits have dried up and/or are so scarce as to not be a economic decision-making factor.

Additionally, the utility company in a Florida city I lived in changed its policy to penalize users of solar power by reducing the credit for energy contribution. It caused a huge stink because it no longer made "fiscal payback sense" to the solar panel owners.

My HOA removed the solar panels and salvaged them after they fell into disrepair on the clubhouse roof.

By all means, have a presentation but Tim had excellent advice: contact other users and see what issues presented themselves. And make sure that governing documents are followed with regard to adoption of the property alteration, ongoing equipment and related maintenance including insurance and capital cost. It's not all lollipops and roses.