Trees Blocking Solar Panels

Trees and solar panels if solar panels are blocked by trees or shade it is possible that the solar panel owner may have a legal action against you.

Trees blocking solar panels.

Properly maintain trees that are. Branches and leaves can block sunlight from hitting your roof which means your solar panels aren t maximizing their electricity production potential. If you are considering cutting down fewer than 50 trees to get the most out of a 7 500 watt solar electric system don t feel guilty. Even a small obstruction like a leaf can have a considerable impact on the performance of your system.

There are enough difficult questions that the trees vs. The pole can support multiple panels in different spots much like branches on a tree. Trees and buildings or other landscape features such as hills can block incoming radiation and cast a shadow reducing the usable solar radiation. The solar shade act sat in relative obscurity with no one paying much attention for almost 30 years until a solar homeowner in northern california angry at the increasing shade his solar panels were seeing sued his tree loving neighbor.

It protects homeowners investments in solar panels which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Maryland has no law requiring a neighbor to not plant trim trees that might shade a solar panel on the ground or on the roof. The law also recognizes the right to enter into an easement agreement but that requires agreement by the neighbor. The 9 606 pounds of co2 that our solar system offsets every year is equivalent to the carbon absorbing capability of about 50 trees.

Trees or solar panels do you have to choose. These directions receive the strongest. As part of a hoa s rules. From a carbon offset standpoint the solar array is a big win.

Solar trees would fall under the broader category of ground mounted solar panels. Excepting registered historic properties which prohibit of roof panels e g. It s bizarre to think that a tiny tree planted in the spring may eventually become a source of conflict but it makes more sense in the context of a. At most you may need to remove one or two whole trees.

In california the giant redwoods are tall enough to block a skyscraper let alone a two story house. There are two specific statutes in the civil code 801 and 801 5 that deal with the easements and solar easements for solar installations. It s not surprising in such a litigious state that lawsuits have been filed over redwoods blocking solar panels. With a few exceptions any time vegetation shaded a solar system it must be removed with a penalty of 1000 per day that the tree or shrub remained.

Solar panels debate has begun generating conflict all over the place. Complaints are arising from an obscure state law known as the solar shade control act. Avoid planting trees near the west or southwestern facing sides of home. There are laws against deeds declarations covenants contracts etc.

Place trees away from home to prevent blocking scratching and otherwise damaging solar panels.