Overcoming barriers to solar install?

[AceSkywalker]

I'm exploring putting solar on my roof but I'm encountering resistance from multiple angles.
For reference, my house here in an LA suburb was built in 06/07 by one of those publicly traded house building corporations.

First angle is the HOA, who have disapproved of everything from putting out yard signs for the 2020 graduates in the neighborhood to blocking the installation of an exterior EV charger.

Second angle is the people I share the house with, who are vehemently opposed to putting anything on the roof. Their concerns revolve around
1. Doubt that the roof can handle the weight of the solar long term.
2. The panels will cause long term damage to the roof tiles, shortening the lifespan of the roof
3. The installers will find something that blocks them from installing, but will not say anything so we can give them our money.

 

[BrettS]

I'm exploring putting solar on my roof but I'm encountering resistance from multiple angles.
For reference, my house here in an LA suburb was built in 06/07 by one of those publicly traded house building corporations.

First angle is the HOA, who have disapproved of everything from putting out yard signs for the 2020 graduates in the neighborhood to blocking the installation of an exterior EV charger.

I believe that there are laws in California (as well as much of the US) that state that HOA’s cannot stop you from installing solar on your roof. Other people more familiar with the specific California laws may be able to help here.

Second angle is the people I share the house with, who are vehemently opposed to putting anything on the roof. Their concerns revolve around

What exactly is your relationship with these ‘people you share the house with’? Are they family or roommates or is this a condo or townhome type thing where you all share the same house? Are you the sole owner of the house or do they have ownership interest as well?

1. Doubt that the roof can handle the weight of the solar long term.

The city inspection for my solar install actually happened Wednesday and I was flipping through the permit documents that the inspector handed me after he signed off on everything and I noticed that there was a document from an engineer certifying that he ran the load calculations on my roof and verified that there would be no problems with the roof supporting the solar system. I don’t know if this is a jurisdictional thing or if they do this for every install, but it certainly looks like they do make an effort to ensure that this isn’t a problem.

2. The panels will cause long term damage to the roof tiles, shortening the lifespan of the roof

There is always potential for damage to happen, but a properly installed system shouldn’t damage the tiles. I believe that most solar companies will guarantee that there will be no problems with your roof because of their install

3. The installers will find something that blocks them from installing, but will not say anything so we can give them our money.

This just sounds like a ridiculous conspiracy theory.

 

[Akikiki]

@BrettS. Well done.

 

[AceSkywalker]

@BrettS

1. Its your typical detached single family house.
2. I own the house and share expenses with family who live with me.

I'm motivated to proceed with the solar installation using inheritance money I've recently come into. Those who live with me would rather have the money used to do aesthetic remodels of the house and backyard (they're obsessed with making things pretty, not making things work). The compromise option they've floated if I really want solar is to build a sturdy, patio with an overkill roof in our ridiculously small backyard (40x10ft) and put solar on the roof of that, ignoring that those panels would be in the shade most of the time due to the neighbors' houses.

"ridiculous conspiracy theory"
My family, who lived and spent most of their lives in a third world country with easily corruptible public officials and tons of shady "engineers" think its the same here in the US. They're convinced Tesla or whoever installs the stuff on the roof will lie to us and bribe officials to sign off the paperwork.

 

[BrettS]

I mean if you own the house and you’re paying for the solar system then I’m not sure that the ‘people you share the house with’ really get much say in it.

However, if you are relying on the money that they contribute or simply want to maintain good relations with them, then it certainly makes sense to take their opinion into account (as much of a ridiculous conspiracy theory as it may be)

But I think that maintaining familial relationships is really outside the scope of this forum.

Like I said above, the HOA should not really be an issue as they are not allowed to stop you from getting solar.

I’m sure you could get assurances from whoever installs your system that they will do the roof load calculations and will guarantee against roof damage, however, it sounds like even if you get such assurances your family may not believe them anyway.

 

[SMAlset]

If you are planning to buy the solar and put on your house with inheritance money (so nothing out of their pocket), are they aware your electricity bill be nothing or negligible (guess depends on system and what usage is)? So if they share in paying utilities that would be less. If you are adding powerwall to the mix even more advantages to be had, like electricity during PSPS or other outages like storms, rotating shutdowns, etc.

Our Tesla contract warranties the roof from installation leaks for ten years. You do have to keep trees trimmed that might interfere with solar panels and do some cleaning of them occasionally (hose down). The current 340W Q-Cell panels have a 25 year warranty. Apart from the $100 deposit to start the order process and planning and permitting, the contract only required half on beginning of the install and then balance following building inspection. Their workers are bonded and insured. Our house was new in a development back in 2004 and we have an HOA as well. Tesla has a dept. that can assist you with filling out info for your HOA’s architectural change application which you will need to get approval from before they can install. They will take care of the paperwork with your utility.

Good luck.

 

[Southpasfan]

It sounds like they are effectively "renting" from you, although you may not have a formal lease agreement. The "rent" is what they pay for expenses.

So, OK, any renter would have some sort of say in how the owner/landlord spends money on a house. But although almost every renter would be happy to have an owner upgrade the house, there is no right to insist on such.

The solar powerwall system is going to immediately save money on electricity. I would note that if, for example, your housemates pay the electric bill, that they continue to do so after you install the system -- in the form of some agreed-upon payment TO YOU.

Economically, that's whats going on, instead of the utility providing all the electricity you are.

We don't see many posts of owners installing solar on units they own and rent to others, but that's the economic reality.

 

[SMAlset]

I believe I recently read posts by two people where one wanted to put panels on a stand alone garage and the other had a kind of pergola I think. Pretty sure neither was an option. Each of the 340 panels is about 47.5 lbs.