In our modern world, adapting our lifestyle and our home to new technologies is not just a luxury, but a necessity. One such technology is solar power. However, while the use of solar panels for your home can lead to significant cost savings and environmental benefits, it can also bring about its own set of challenges, especially from Homeowners Associations (HOA). In this blog post, I am going to shed some light on an interesting development in the Nebraska Judiciary Committee—an intriguing proposal that would prohibit HOAs from putting restrictions on the installation of solar panels.
The bill, BE1119, was spearheaded by Lincoln Senator George Dungan. This proposal asserts that HOAs should not be permitted to interfere with solar installations under any regulations, including any covenant, bylaw, deed contract, or other agreement. Put simply, if your life-long dream has been to create a solar array for home usage, no HOA can argue against it, provided the bill passes.
The bill contains a clause that any regulation opposing solar installation would be rendered void. In layman’s terms, you would have a free hand in installing solar panels without worrying about crossing lines with your HOA. Interesting, right? But that’s not all. If the violation occurred, homeowners would have a civil cause of action.
However, as with every coin, there is another side to this one too. A Lincoln resident, Merlyn Bartels, came forward against the bill. His worry lies in the possibility that solar panels may hike up insurance costs for homeowners who obtain insurance through their HOA.
Despite the opposition, the bill found strong allies too. Solar companies are experiencing a rise in the popularity of solar, with more homeowners finding it affordable, durable, and beneficial in the long run. The Sierra Club, a prominent advocate for solar, put forth a vote of confidence seeing no evidence that homes with solar panels decrease the value of neighboring properties.
In fact, they believe that solar is not an eyesore but a commendable adaptation to a technological shift helping our planet deal with the challenge of climate change. A sentiment also echoed by the bill’s author, Senator Dungan, who suggested homeowners should be free to do what they wish with their property, within reason, of course.
Lastly, it’s noteworthy to mention that various states offer homeowner protections similar to the ones proposed in LB1119. Therefore, the shift towards solar would be not just a personal choice but a legally supported one too.
To wrap up, solar power serves as a bridge between our present needs and future aspirations, for sustainable living and ecological conservatism. The decision to adapt to solar is not just a financial investment, but also an investment in our planet’s health. And when there’s a legal framework to support this decision, it undoubtedly sweetens the deal!
Congrats, you’re one step closer to becoming a solar pro already! Stick around to learn more in my upcoming blog posts. Until next time…remember, the sun is always shining, even when it’s cloudy. Don’t let any HOA tell you otherwise!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/26/nebraska-introduces-legislation-to-prevent-hoa-from-barring-solar-installation/
