Before installing a rooftop solar system, residents of communities managed by HOAs usually require prior approval from the HOA Board of Directors or the community’s Architectural Review Committee – particularly if the system will be visible from any public space such as roads. We recommend that you review your HOA’s Architectural Guidelines to determine if there are any restrictions in place. Your installer can help you troubleshoot any problems you have obtaining approval from your HOA. North Carolina law places some restrictions on an HOA’s ability to prohibit installation of solar panels. Read more here and read the actual law here.
The Solar Outreach Partnership and the NC Clean Energy Technology Center (formerly the NC Solar Center) have produced these materials to help HOAs adopt solar-friendly guidelines in their covenants:
Model Solar Guidelines (2 pages)
The Benefits of Going Solar: A Resource for North Carolina Homeowners’ Associations (tri-fold brochure)