Condo Rules In Maryland Re Solar Panels

The solar access law in maryland protects property owners from undue restriction.

Condo rules in maryland re solar panels.

Here s what you can do. Whether or not you believe that it is your social responsibility to adopt solar power and other renewable energy sources the financial rewards of going solar justify the investment. Code real property 2 119. You can go solar even if you live in a condo.

Everybody wins with renewables. And arguably the new laws that were enacted were dwarfed at least in the short and mid term by the impact on real estate of the federal coronavirus aid relief and economic security act the maryland governor s executive orders related to covid 19 and the covid 19 administrative orders of the maryland court of appeals. Solar panels covenants restricting installation of solar collector systems md. Maryland condominium act annotated code of maryland real property article title 11 office of the secretary of state state house annapolis md 21401 410 974 5521 ext.

Under a ppa a project developer installs owns and operates the pv system on the condominium property and the condominium agrees to purchase the power generated by the system at a set per kilowatt hour cost which is typically competitive with the condominium s electric utility rate. This particular law includes protections to allow consumer access to sunlight and also limits the ability of homeowner s associations and local government to pass laws or rules preventing the installation of solar energy systems. First they ll need to gain permission from their condominium board of directors or homeowners association hoa by confirming that solar will not damage their building s roof and if it does it is covered under a warranty and will increase the property s value. In the state of california the solar rights act passed in 1978.

Going solar in a condo. The statute provides limitations to restrictions on land use that impose unreasonable limitations on the installation of a solar collector system and defines unreasonable limitations as restrictions that increase the cost or decrease the efficiency of the system significantly. We ve tried it so there s a good chance you can too. The bill hb 117 specifically limits the power of local municipalities and homeowners associations from regulating or prohibiting renewable energy systems like water wind and solar energy.

If you propose a unit owner project you will need to get approval from the condo association and obtain an easement to authorize system installation and maintenance. Under a solar lease the condominium makes scheduled pre determined rental payments to a solar leasing company which installs and owns the pv system located on the condominium property. First you need to get permission from the board of directors of your condominium. Yes you read that right.

There are several approaches that condo dwellers can take to getting condominium solar panels approved. We now use a 1 5 kw solar panel system that generates enough power for our 2 bedroom home. Jennifer englert olg founder managing partner.