Covington-area family battles homeowners association over solar panels | NOLA.com
He had solar panels installed on the roof of his house in the Estates of Northpark near Covington in March and cut his family's time on the grid -- and his electricity costs -- by about 80 percent.
But the time for celebration never came. Before he ever received his first post-solar electric bill, his homeowners association sued him, saying Piazza had not gotten permission to install the panels on his house.
Neighbors in the gated enclave -- typical of many newer, upscale subdivisions in St. Tammany Parish -- also complained that the eco-friendly panels are "unsightly," according to the lawsuit.
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Thanks to Fred Pilot and Beanie Adolph for this link. It seems that this solar panel vs. HOA issue may become a serious problem that will require national legislation. That's what happened with satellite dishes. Eventually the satellite TV industry lobbied congress, which ordered the FCC to draft a rule, and now we don't see so many conflicts over satellite dishes in HOA and condo properties. Solar panels will be a major part of our energy supply system eventually, and I can't see condo and hoa boards being allowed to get in the way of that, particularly on "unsightliness" grounds.
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