If you own your home, you are most likely aware of whether or not you belong to an HOA, or Homeowners Association; an organization (usually non-profit) meant to maintain the attractiveness, upkeep, and value of residential communities. In order to do so, each community’s Homeowners Association has a set of bylaws and rules and regulations. When looking to install solar panels on your home, it is important to do your research and understand your HOA’s rules or restrictions on solar appliance.
Brian Siebert, our project manager here at Rooftop Solar tells us that a lot of people express frustration and anger when talking about their Home Owners Association, which is understandable. It is frustrating being told what you can – and cannot – do, especially when you own your own home, and want to be able to do whatever you want to it. As Rooftop Solar project manager, Brian works with a lot of HOAs all over Arizona and Southern California. Here’s a few pieces of advice and a simple 3 step process from the expert himself on how he works with HOAs to make your solar goals a reality.
“Throughout the course of my career at Rooftop Solar, we have dealt with many different HOAs all over Arizona and Southern California. I have found that the people who work for these neighborhood governances are very friendly to deal with.
However, I have also heard of solar projects being shut down during installation because they did not have the HOA’s approval. The guys on the roof had to abruptly stop working and go home. In order to avoid issues and holdups such as this, there are a few steps we go through with the HOA before any installation begins.
1. Alert the HOA and get approval beforehand. The first thing I do, when processing a new project, is to call the HOA, tell them who we are and what we would like to do. Then the follow up question is what do we need to do in order to get the HOA’s approval.
2. Do a little paperwork. Typically, the HOA will require that you fill out a simple form and submit a Site Plan Diagram, showing the array location and size. I usually submit the same set of diagrams that is required for AHJ permitting. If we have the building permit already, I will send the HOA a copy of that as well.
3. HOA gives the OK. After a couple follow-up calls, we get an HOA Letter of Approval and the project is scheduled for construction. Real simple.
At Rooftop Solar, it is our goal to make going solar as easy for the customer as possible. In order to do so, we handle everything from applying for permits, to HOA approval.
Rooftop Solar has worked with many HOA’s in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, Verde Villages, Flagstaff, Cave Creek, Carefree, Scottsdale. And we have many happy customers in Dewey, Humboldt, Mayer, Cordes Lake, Rimrock, Camp Verde, Paulden, Chino Valley, Sedona, and Williams – and that’s just Arizona! We also have worked with HOA’s in and around the San Diego Area, and just recently in Calabasas Hills, and the Los Angeles area. If you’re in the Southwest, we’ve got you covered.”
~ Brian Siebert, Project Management
Thinking about making the switch to solar? Give us a call today, and get your solar project under way!
(800) 786 – 7080 | rooftopsolar.us
