Neighbours Trees Blocking Solar Panels

Branches overhanging your fence.

Neighbours trees blocking solar panels.

What are your legal rights if a neighbour decides to build up and block direct sunlight from hitting your solar panels. Maryland has no law requiring a neighbor to not plant trim trees that might shade a solar panel on the ground or on the roof. Complaints are arising from an obscure state law known as the solar shade control act. It is also possible to establish a right to light if you can demonstrate that you have had 20 years of uninterrupted enjoyment.

Roots causing damage to your property. As part of a hoa s rules. In the absence of a view ordinance or an easement you may be able to show that your neighbor planted the tree or refused to trim it built the fence or was responsible for some other obstruction to deliberately and maliciously block your view. What to do if a neighbour s tree is affecting you.

There are laws against deeds declarations covenants contracts etc. Disputes can be about. Branches blocking sunlight from solar panels or tv reception. A frequent source of neighbour disputes involving tree branches is that they block off natural light and you should carefully check your deeds to find out if they contain a specific right to light.

Sorry this audio has expired listen to the full story. Excepting registered historic properties which prohibit of roof panels e g. Orient your panels elsewhere or put them on stilts. There are two specific statutes in the civil code 801 and 801 5 that deal with the easements and solar easements for solar installations.

It s a problem central adelaide resident jo thomas was forced to confront when she learned a developer had plans to build a four storey building next door. It protects homeowners investments in solar panels which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Trees and solar panels if solar panels are blocked by trees or shade it is possible that the solar panel owner may have a legal action against you. Trees are a common cause of disagreement between neighbours.

As you may have read in the article it s not just buildings or other such structures that can impact your solar array. Your neighbours may have an existing tree which annually whilst full of foliage blocks the sun from your solar array reducing its efficiency by 50. The law also recognizes the right to enter into an easement agreement but that requires agreement by the neighbor. Such deliberately place obstructions are often called spite fences.