The News on Solar Panels

          There are many ways to acquire electricity these days whether it’s nuclear power plants, burning fossil fuels, or harnessing the elements.  Nuclear power plants can be dangerous, fossil fuels burn unclean and are a finite resource, but how about the sun? Not only is solar energy free once it is set up, the government will allow a tax deduction of up to thirty percent of your installation costs, and it has no negative externalities such as many other energy sources, that is, unless you are part of a homeowners association.   The article from the Buffalo News, “Casting a Panel on Home Solar Panels” highlights some of these problems.  In some states homeowners associations are forcing residents to take down their solar panels because according to these neighborhood officials to the north of Atlanta, “the panels would look out of place and might lower home values.”  Around two dozen states have taken action against this and are outlawing homeowners associations from forbidding solar panels.  For example, Texas adopted a law that prevents homeowners associations from totally blocking these panels, residents can install panels on roofs or in fenced in areas.  This prevents the negative externality of having to see these panels, but still allows for them to be installed.