Solar Access Laws

Florida law forbids ordinances, deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements from prohibiting solar equipment use. Under this law, a homeowner may not be denied permission to install a solar collector, clothesline, or other energy device based on renewable resources by "any entity granted the power or right in any deed restriction, covenant or similar binding agreement to approve, forbid, control, or direct alteration of property..."

While a homeowner cannot be prevented from installing a solar energy system, certain restrictions may be imposed without violating the law. However, those restrictions must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and uniformly imposed on homeowners in the subdivision. The restrictions cannot act to impair the performance of a solar system or it may be seen as "effectively" prohibiting solar.

The law specifically prohibits a community association from preventing the installation of solar collectors on the roof. The association may determine where on the roof the collectors may be installed, so long as the installation is within the area required for its effective operation, that is, south, or east or west of due south. The association is, thereby, limited in imposing requirements which would effectively restrict the system's operating efficiency or increase the installation cost. As such, requirements for screening the system from view, whether by trees or fences, ground-mounting, or limiting visibility from the street, are contrary to the spirit and letter of the law if the result impairs the efficiency of the system.

There has been some litigation with respect to the applicability of Section 163.04. However, most cases have been resolved through mediation. One such case involved the installation of a solar pool heater on the roof of a home. In this case, the association filed an injunction requesting removal of the rooftop system and instead required that the system be ground-mounted. This change would have impaired the system’s operating efficiency; and the yard space was insufficient to allow ground mounting. The parties settled, with the homeowner’s prevailing on the issue of roof mounting. Although the collectors were relocated to a less conspicuous area on the roof, more panels were added to compensate for the loss of system efficiency.

Another case dealt with the denial of a residential pool heating system. This case was decided in favor of the association based on F Florida Solar Rights Law the sole issue of whether Section 163.04 applied to homeowner associations. The court held that the law did not apply to homeowner associations. Subsequently, the law was amended to specifically include actions taken by homeowner associations.

More recently, there have been cases decided under 163.04 that have protected the right of homeowners to install tubular skylights on their residences, including condominiums and townhome villas where the devices were installed on common property. In both cases, the homeowners prevailed and the association was required to pay court costs and attorney fees – for themselves and for the prevailing homeowner.

The Legislature has made successive amendments to the statute to better state its intent to protect the right of all Floridians to use solar energy to reduce the cost of operating their homes, while at the same time reducing the state's dependence on fossil fuels. The law applies to all actions taken with respect to approval or denial of a solar system, regardless of when the community was instituted or when the association bylaws may have been adopted.

It is important to seek the approval of a homeowners association prior to the installation of a solar system. Section 163.04 does not waive the need for association approval if it is required by the governing documents.

Click to read the full Florida Solar Rights Law (PDF)

Harrimans In The News

Harrimans, Inc. renews its Accreditation with Better Business Bureau - Read Release (PDF)

Harrimans Solar Recognized as a Top Solar Contractor in Venice, Florida - Read Release (PDF)

Bradenton Herald Article: "Proposed Florida amendments would set solar energy policy" Read full article (PDF).

Harrimans customer Fred Burrell interviewed live on ABC7 News

Top Solar Rooftop Contractors Award 2016 - Solar Power World Magazine

St Annes of Grace Church adds 34.6 KW Grid Tied Solar Electric System.

Top 250 Solar Contractors Award -Solar Power World Magazine

Harrimans selected to install Solar Hot Water and Solar Electric for Habitat Homes