Typically, would a solar panel installation company ask a home owner if a HOA had improved the installation?

Roger

Assuming you are talking about a Property Code Section 209 HOA in Texas, several years ago the Legislature restricted the extent to which the HOA may establish guidelines for the installation of solar panels.

However, to address your question, if I were a reputable solar energy company in this state, I would know before I met with you the precise details of the process for obtaining any necessary approvals, such as from the HOA. I would also advise you to discuss the requirements with the HOA yourself as you, the owner, will ultimately be responsible to the HOA if there is an issue.

If you are talking with a solar energy company representative who says " . . . ah, there are no issues with the HOA, the Legislature took care of that some years ago", my next step would be to escort the person who uttered those words to the door.

Hi Roger, I just had solar installed on my house by a Reputable company I was at my local warehouse club shopping and I said what the heck, let's see what this solar deal is all about.

YES, even very reputable solar companies have brain dead ninny's working for them. I was so ticked off with the assigned project manager, at one point I was ready to cancel the whole deal. I had all my paperwork in order. Names on the Power bill matched the contract, I had my ARC approval within 24 hours, all paperwork was submitted to the sales rep.. A project manager was assigned who in my opinion i wouldn't know the answer to a door bell. That was my first impression just reading their emailed document response to me.

Three times I had to email her a copy of the bill with both me and my wife's name on it. At the same time I figured I better email her a copy of the ARC approval.

Two more times this ditz held up the process. She emailed me, I have submitted an ARC request to your HOA, this might take 30 days.. I emailed back, HERE IS THE ARC approval.. Two days before my scheduled install she proceeded to cancel my install because on the ARC form standard ARC boiler plate the HOA can request for blueprints, plans etc. My sales rep gets all her emails so does both their bosses. At this point I said get rid of the project manager and assign a new one or cancel my contract.

My point is yes, even reputable companies have idigits working for them.. Work with your sales rep, if there is a rep for the company that is making you crazy, ask to have the person reassigned.

No worries Roger. I hope you enjoy the benefits of your PV system. I received an email from our electric provider on Friday that they should be out in seven working days to instal the net metering meter.

Thanks but I am not getting one. Fairly low electric bill, so it would not make sense currently. Our neighbor put up panels, all over front of house without asking HOA. Based on the neighbor's actions after living in the neighborhood only 5 months: burning trash and debris multiple times a week, week after week, including at least one time burning live plants/landscaping, after being told verbally not to do so and sent a letter by HOA, hours of shooting fireworks at such a rate it was as if someone was shovel a pile of fireworks into a fire, large trailer sitting in front of house permanently, loud music from 3:00pm to 1:00am including a live band one day, I suspect he does not care if HOA required him to submit plans. But in case he pleads ignorant, saying he did know he needed to ask, I wanted to research whether installers typically ask if HOA provided approval thinking they might.

Although after learning about solar installations, I think he did it himself or hired sub contractors to do it because it makes no sense - staggered and flush rows together in panel clusters, panels placed behind large trees that would shade them much of the time, so he probably did not use a normal installer.

I could see installation being different, but installers told me only a unique layout, they typical either stagger or flush when rows have to be different, usually staggered. This one has two rows stagger then two rows flush, even the flush rows have different numbers of panels. It looks weird to the eye and draws attention because it looks like a giant weird jigsaw puzzle piece. Also, the nearest roof ridge, anchors 3 of 4 rows, with the corner of a panel touching that roof ridge consistently, then one row in the middle has its corner 2+ feet from that same ridge. That inconsistently pulls one eye to it. I shared the picture on an solar industry site, and several things were pointed out about it seeming an unprofessionally planned lay out - including trees close to it, the staggered and flush combination. Also, some pointed out the panels seemed to be three different hues, adding that cheaper panels, with less quality control, are often off in color and as they age that contrast gets more pronounced.