Elon Musk Debuts the Tesla Powerwall

[Stardog]

I'm probably driving down someone's property values as we speak.

Really though I understand HOA B.S. even if I hate it. I just think that banning something like solar panels is very irresponsible and cunty.

[DarcShadow]

Solar panels...charge those batteries.

New HOA doesn't allow solar panels

Texas law prevents HOA from banning them. If you want them you can get them.

[Stardog]

Texas law prevents HOA from banning them. If you want them you can get them.

Good, because that is some horse shit.

[DarcShadow]

I think the HOAs can still put some limitations on their location but they can't out right block them. I believe the law even always for wind power but I don't remember for sure.

[Firewa11]

When you sign a contract on a home you also sign the HOA contract. It is a legal binding document that indicates you will follow the rules set forth by the HOA. So yeah, if you move into a neighborhood that has an HOA that bans solar panels and you put one up, you have agreed to be set up for a lawsuit, fined, and if you don't lay your fines, allow the HOA to foreclose on your home.

Simply put, if you don't want to abide by HOA rules, don't buy a house in a HOA community.

[LonestarCBR]

Just so I'm clear, that stands of Harley Owner's Association, right?

[dufremle]

You can also sue the HOA to get them to change the rules. I have read about several people that had to sue their HOA to allow charging stations to be installed in a garage.

[DarcShadow]

Texas laws recently changed, couple of years ago, making it illegal for the HOA to ban them. And if the HOA has not changed their documents that is also a violation of the state law. Doesn't matter what was in the document when you signed it, state law says you can do it, and there is nothing the HOA can do to stop you out side of some restrictions on location, and even those resections are pretty controlled by the state law.

[LonestarCBR]

I say mount them on your next door neighbors house, and run a wire over. Both problems solved.

[Firewa11]

The law DarcShadow is referring to is here: http://energy.gov/savings/solar-rights-texas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But, there is a loophole law that allows builders to restrict homeowners from installing panels while a development is still being built. Once all of the subdivision is built entirely and the HOA takes over control from the builder / developer, then solar panels can be installed, but, there are still loopholes that allow HOAs to restrict them.

Here's the big caveat:

The HOA may be allowed to prohibit the installation of a solar energy device if the homeowner does not receive prior approval from the association. If, in seeking the approval, the HOA finds that the proposed solar energy device will create a condition that harms or interferes with other people's "use and enjoyment of the land," the HOA may prohibit the installation as well. Homeowners should seek written support from neighboring properties in order to prove that this condition does not exist.

If you have a house next to you or near by you that thinks you installing solar panels on your roof is ugly and will interfere with their 'use and enjoyment of the land', that is enough to prevent the HOA from allowing you to install the panels. And this is what is tripping people up left and right all over the place. It just takes one person in the HOA that lives nearby to say your panels will interfere with their enjoyment.