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NOW: real property; signage; solar devices

Our Position: support
Bill Number: SB1254
Sponsor: Leff
Legislative Session: 2007 Legislative Session

After the original bill, HB2593, was killed by Senator Harper in the Senate, this bill was amended in the House Committee of the Whole to add a provision which  makes it more difficult for Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) to block installation of solar energy panels.  It states that homeowners associations can't prohibit solar panels, but they can have reasonable restrictions on placement of them provided the restrictions do not block installation, impair the function, unreasonably restrict the use, or adversely affect the cost or efficiency of the device.  It provides for attorneys’ fees for the prevailing party in litigation relating to this.  For far too long HOAs have used arbitrary restrictions to prevent homeowners from installing clean renewable solar energy.  Arizona ought to be leading the way on the use of solar energy.  Greater production of solar energy technology and use of solar energy will lead to greater energy independence, fewer polluting power plants, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and cleaner air for our communities.  It also helps to keep more of our energy dollars here in Arizona where they can benefit our economy. 

Status

To see a more detailed status of the bill and to read it click here. 

To read an article about the bill and the problems with Homeowners Associations, click on Let the Sunshine in.

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Background

The sun is the ultimate source of energy.  All the energy stored in the earth's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is equal to the energy from only 20 days of sunshine.  With today's technologies, we can harness this energy to produce electricity.  When appropriately sited, solar energy creates no pollution and is the most environmentally friendly source of power currently available.  Thanks in part to successful research and development, the cost of solar technologies has been reduced in recent decades.  The Sierra Club supports programs to encourage the use of renewable energy sources and to remove barriers to siting of distributed generation.