Working with an HOA
We often get questions about how Vivint Solar works with Homeowners Associations (HOA). It’s our goal to bring clean energy to as many homeowners as possible, and that definitely includes those living in communities with an HOA.
Does Vivint Solar install solar energy systems in communities with an HOA?
Yes, we often install solar panels in these communities by coordinating with the HOA, but this is dependent on whether or not the particular HOA allows solar energy.
What is an HOA?
A Homeowners Association (HOA) is an organization that standardizes rules about the aesthetics, maintenance, and upkeep of a housing community. For example, an HOA may require that you paint your home a specific color, maintain your lawn a certain way, or limit the number of vehicles in your driveway. Those who purchase a property within an HOA jurisdiction automatically become members and are required to pay dues, known as HOA fees. Some associations can be very restrictive about what members can do with their properties and some associations are pretty lax.
What are solar access and rights laws?
Solar access laws vary from state to state but, due to rules around neighborhood aesthetics or home uniformity, it may still be possible for an HOA to prohibit a customer from installing a solar energy system on their property. Even if an HOA approves the system design, it may request later modifications that can impact things like solar production, panel efficiency, etc.
In 2011, the U.S Department of Energy published a report for local governments detailing the benefits of solar power in local communities.1 In it, they explain the fundamentals of solar access and solar rights laws. They explain that, “Solar rights laws limit or prohibit restrictions (by neighborhood covenants and bylaws or local government ordinances and building codes) on solar energy system installation. About a dozen states have passed solar rights laws. The laws vary in the types of buildings covered, their applicability to new versus existing construction, and the enforcement of rights. Vague or absent provisions in solar rights laws have led to legal action and installation delays in several of these states.”
To learn how the solar access and rights laws in your area impact your own HOA situation, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency and click on the state in which you live.
What are my HOA’s guidelines for installing a solar energy system on my home?
Most HOAs have their own guidelines for installing solar energy systems in their communities and those often differ by area. Here is a list of the most common requirements we run into:
- Any conduit we run on the outside of the home may need to be painted the same color (or as close to it as possible) as your home’s exterior.
- The panels may need to be placed on a specific side of your roof.
- The system design may be limited to offset only a portion of your energy consumption.
- Protective equipment such as guards, barriers or roof skirts may need to be installed on or around the panels.
For details about the installation requirements for a solar energy system in your community, we recommend contacting your local HOA representative. You can also reach out to your Sales Manager or contact us for help. Our solar experts will work with your HOA representative to ensure that we follow any and all installation guidelines so you are not in violation of your HOA agreement.
What are Vivint Solar’s guidelines for installing a solar energy system in an HOA community?
We want to make clean home energy obtainable for as many homeowners as possible. And we want to make the process as stress-free for homeowners as we can. In keeping with those goals, we always work within the specific laws and guidelines applicable to your home. Circumstances vary from state to state and neighborhood to neighborhood, but our teams are well-versed in local laws and have a lot of experience working with HOAs so we do our best to ensure that your solar journey is smooth.
Endnotes: 1 U.S. Department of Energy. (2011 January). Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments. Second Edition. (Book). Retrieved August 27, 2019, from https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/47692.pdf.