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My neighbor’s massive tree is blocking my $35K solar panels — can I demand they cut it down or am I stuck losing money every day?
moneywise ^ | Oct 27, 2024 | Christy Bieber

Posted on 10/27/2024 5:56:01 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?

Asolar power system is a big expense, but if it gets enough sun, it can pay for itself and reduce your carbon footprint in the process. Unfortunately, obstructions can substantially reduce the power your panels provide and make it much harder for your investment to pay off. That's why it can be so frustrating if your neighbors plant a tree in the wrong place.

If there’s a tree in the way of your energy production, it's important to understand what your options are. They may depend on where you live and whether the tree or your panels were there first.

Can you make your neighbor cut down a tree? If your neighbor's tree is stopping the sun from shining on your solar panels, the first big question to ask is whether it was in place before you put the panels up. If so, you can't just force your neighbor to cut down pre-existing vegetation on their land. Ideally this issue is something you or your solar energy technician would anticipate prior to the installation.

However, if your panels were there first, you may have some recourse. Many states and municipalities have rules in place that regulate vegetation to protect solar access.

For example, California's Solar Shade Control Act prohibits someone who owns a property from planting or growing an obstructive tree if solar panels have already been installed and the tree or shrub would cast a shadow over more than 10% of the panels between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Outdoors; Society
KEYWORDS: climatechange; greenenergy; propertyrights; solar; solarenergy
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Government intervention on your property rights coming to your state soon.
1 posted on 10/27/2024 5:56:01 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

I hate when someone plants a huge tree in the wrong place. If only I knew it was going to be there before I installed the solar panels.


2 posted on 10/27/2024 5:58:16 AM PDT by ChronicMA
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

The massive tree didn’t grow overnight. It was there before the panels were installed. Owner and installer should have noticed.


3 posted on 10/27/2024 5:59:04 AM PDT by I want the USA back (Voltaire: To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.)
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To: All

Solar cells are a rather new thing to have on the roof of houses.

It takes trees many years to become massive.

The odds that that tree was planted after the solar cells were put into place are pretty much zero.


4 posted on 10/27/2024 5:59:55 AM PDT by Owen
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
Translation: Someone didn't do basic research on their situation before buying solar.

Solar is not good for people who have a mindset of expecting others to solve problems.

5 posted on 10/27/2024 6:00:27 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
Government intervention on your property rights is already here.

In the headline above, a massive tree would indicate the offensive foliage was there before the panels.

For some reason, I feel no pity for the solar panel snob.

6 posted on 10/27/2024 6:01:58 AM PDT by Thommas (The snout of the camel is already under the tent.)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

While I am no expert, this came up when I was contemplating installing roof solar panels. What I was told was that any part of the neighbors trees that cross your property line can be cut / removed but you can not demand the neighbor cut down their tree. Eventually I determined it was not cost-effective for me to put up solar panels as they would replace about 50% of my energy use IF they were 100% effective. At current price it just was not fiscally responsible to proceed with installation.


7 posted on 10/27/2024 6:02:26 AM PDT by DrHFrog
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

How people like this function on a day to day basis is one of life’s greatest mysteries.


8 posted on 10/27/2024 6:02:32 AM PDT by Hoboto (I blame Hippies.)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

“Many states and municipalities have rules in place that regulate vegetation to protect solar access”

Uh oh.....the tree huggers have a paradox.....they absolutely hate to even trim a tree but now they are blocking the sun......when it’s shining that is.

What to do...what to do. 🤔


9 posted on 10/27/2024 6:02:57 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: Hoboto

Deep State enables them.


10 posted on 10/27/2024 6:03:36 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: Tell It Right

Solar HATES trees. An even more basic lesson.

Doing solar for the environment is idiocy.


11 posted on 10/27/2024 6:04:34 AM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: Owen
Notice the CA Law: "California's Solar Shade Control Act prohibits someone who owns a property from planting or growing an obstructive tree if solar panels have already been installed "

The law can be interpreted that if solar panels are installed you have to stop your vegetation from growing to the point of obstruction.
12 posted on 10/27/2024 6:06:07 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

That same tree provides shade that reduces cooling cost...

So it’s a wash


13 posted on 10/27/2024 6:07:27 AM PDT by Safrguns
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

I had the same problem. Neighbor wouldn’t let me take down the tree, so I took care of the problem, which was to move to a house that didn’t have a huge tree blocking my south-facing roof.


14 posted on 10/27/2024 6:07:30 AM PDT by BobL
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To: DrHFrog

This solar panel company - several of them, actually - have been soliciting in my neighborhood despite the sign not allowing door-to-door sales.

Makes me wonder if the people who have suffered recent hurricanes are still paying on their solar panels. The companies here offered 10 yrs interest free. About 25k spread out over 10 yrs.


15 posted on 10/27/2024 6:07:40 AM PDT by Cowgirl of Justice
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To: Thommas

“...offensive foliage was there before the panels.”
.
.
You can trim all limbs that cross your property line; Fortunately, I got busy just before Hurricanes Helene and Milton came ashore.


16 posted on 10/27/2024 6:08:24 AM PDT by Does so (Vote for The Anti-War President...🇺🇦...Dem☭crats...)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

He’s screwed for being an idiot wanting to reduce his carbon footprint.


17 posted on 10/27/2024 6:09:14 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: Empire_of_Liberty
Doing solar for the environment is idiocy.

I couldn't agree more. And I have solar.

18 posted on 10/27/2024 6:10:00 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: Tell It Right

I have one of these knuckleheads across the street. Every time someone takes down a tree in close proximity to his house he comes outside and watches like he’s at a funeral.

Meanwhile, his solar panels needed $7k worth of maintenance.
He couldn’t believe they weren’t designed to last forever with no investment needed.
And so the solar panels sit on his roof doing absolutely nothing.

For a little context, he’s a 67 y/o lib sporting a ponytail that’s never had a job I know of and once took his car to Tire Kingdom because it had a blown head gasket.

THAT.....is how useless liberals are.


19 posted on 10/27/2024 6:11:43 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

Wow! It’s really expensive to plant a massive, mature tree nowadays!


20 posted on 10/27/2024 6:12:27 AM PDT by albie (U)
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