California Solar Access Law

California s success is due in large part by the enactment of several major laws which guarantee unrestricted access to the power of the sun dating as far back as 1978.

California solar access law.

Part of the motivation for the new policy is california s. Solar panel access laws for hoas. Section 2 provides a brief overview of the act s key provisions. California s solar access laws by kurt newick andy black california has several laws designed to encourage solar access and prevent restrictions on solar energy systems.

Section 3 discusses the ability of cc rs such as those enforced by hoas to restrict solar energy. The mandate which comes from the california energy commission cec will take effect in 2020 making solar power even more common in a state that already boasts about half the country s solar generating capacity. The solar rights act comprises the following california sections of law. States that residents have the right of receiving sunlight and it shall be referred to as a solar easement.

And application of california s primary solar access law. In addition all property owners in the golden state enjoy solar easement rights which they can carry out on a case by case basis with. California civil code sections 714 and 714 1 california civil code section 801 california civil code section 801 5 california government code section 65850 5 california health and safety code section. Similar to part 2 of the solar rights act above this law protects homeowner s access to sunshine protecting the solar panels from shading caused by trees or other growth on neighbors property.

California established the solar rights act in 1978 which limits the ability of hoas and local governments to prevent the installation of solar panel systems. Solar providers submitting applications to interconnect residential solar customers in the service areas of pacific gas and electric company pg e southern california edison sce and san diego gas electric sdg e are required to collect customer initials and a signature on the california solar consumer protection guide. Access the guide. Also in 1978 the state passed the california solar shade act.

Organization of the paper the paper is organized into the following sections. Solar rights act amended in 2004 by ab 2473 civil code. These laws address municipal restrictions residential landscaping and homeowner association restrictions.