Washington Solar Panel Laws

One portion of the bill created chapter 70 355 rcw photovoltaic module stewardship and takeback program which requires manufacturers of solar panels also known as photovoltaic or pv modules to provide the public a convenient and environmentally sound way to recycle all modules purchased after july 1 2017.

Washington solar panel laws.

Customers of electric cooperatives are excluded. A worker installs solar panels at washington and lee university. The renewable portfolio standard expansion amendment act of 2016 established the district s solar for all program solar for all. The first solar policy washington enacted came in 1979 when the state implemented the solar easements and rights laws.

In summary an electric utility must offer to continue to make net metering available to eligible customer generators on a first come first served basis until the earlier of either june 30 2029. This proposed law included provisions prohibiting homeowner s associations from enacting rules limiting solar panel installation with a few exceptions. Hr 2454 the american clean energy and security act was a proposed federal law that made it illegal for a homeowners association to restrict the installation of solar panels. The final version of the solar freedom bill hb572 keam and sb710 mcclellan made eight changes affecting customers of investor owned utilities.

A law passed last year addressed many of these issues. Although the policy doesn t focus on financial incentives it recognized solar energy usage as a property right and ensured that proper sunlight is made available to those who operate solar energy systems. Solar easements and rights. Read rules referring to solar panels in the context of hoas.

Thanks to solar easement laws in washington you can work with your neighbors to make sure that nothing shades your solar panel system while the sun is shining. I the solar energy panel conforms to the slope of the roof. In states with solar easements property owners can negotiate with their neighbors to protect their right to sunlight and prevent obstructions such as trees or structures on a neighbor s lawn that cast shade on their panels. Or the first date upon which the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems equals 4 percent of the utility s peak demand during 1996.

Solar and hoa s current codes in washington addressing homeowners associations and solar panels the permission of solar panels within a homeowners association is addressed in 64 38 055 of the revised code of washington rcw which is the compilation of all permanent laws now in force. While solar access laws protect your right to install solar on your roof solar easements provide a legal avenue for homeowners to protect their home s access to sunshine. Photo courtesy of secure futures llc solar freedom and the clean economy act. B permit the attachment of a solar energy panel to the slope of a roof facing a street only if.

In 2017 the washington legislature passed senate bill 5939 to promote a sustainable local renewable energy industry through modifying tax incentives. And with washington s solar rights law your homeowners association can t prohibit you from installing solar panels on your home.