How to go solar as a condo owner

Living in a condo has many benefits and conveniences, but it can sometimes feel like you have limited lifestyle choices compared to single-family homeownership. Luckily, accessing the benefits of solar panels isn’t one of those limitations. As a condo owner, you can enjoy the power of solar energy through one of two methods:

1. Rooftop solar

2. Community solar

That’s right; condo owners can still reduce their electricity bills and their carbon footprint by embracing solar energy. In fact, some states even have solar access laws that protect your right to go solar, even if you live in a condominium or homeowners association (HOAs). You’ll just need to get a little savvy in your approach going solar as a condo owner.

Condos are privately owned units or apartments in a larger building or set of buildings. Condo owners typically have standard amenities and shared expenses, such as fitness centers, green spaces, and roofs. You'll likely pay a monthly fee to the HOA for the upkeep of these shared spaces, and the HOA will decide certain aesthetic features and rules of the condominium. 

Because of the shared spaces and regulations, going solar as a condo owner is a slightly different process compared to single-family homeowners. If you live in a single-family home, your electric bill is tied to your electric meter, which monitors how much electricity you use. In many condos, one electric meter is sometimes tied to multiple units, so your electric bills are covered under your HOA fees.  If that’s the case in your condo community, there may be restrictions for installing rooftop solar.

Many condo owners hesitate to even ask about solar because of the complexities of HOA. If you’re curious about installing solar panels on your condo, here’s what you can do:

1. Verify your roof ownership

The rules of roof ownership vary by condominium, but roofs are often considered a shared space. If you have roof rights and your unit has its own electric meter, you likely can install solar panels and directly enjoy the benefits of clean, cost-saving energy. If your roof is considered a shared space, you’ll need to get permission from your condo association and possibly permission from your neighbors who share the roof with.

2. Check your association rules

Even if you have rights to your roof or your neighbors are on board, your condo association may have rules that prohibit rooftop installations. If that’s the case, community solar may be an easier option, but it’s not your only option.

If your state has solar easement laws (check here), then your association may be illegally preventing you from going solar. Even if your state doesn’t have solar protection, remember that community rules can be changed if you get enough of your neighbors on board. You can mention that many new condo buildings install shared solar systems to lower the price of electricity for everybody, and that solar panels can also help to power common areas (like gyms or hallways). 

With rising electricity costs, going solar—whether individually or collectively—can be a smart way for your building to save on energy bills.

3. Call a solar installer

If you get the go ahead (or even a maybe) to install solar panels, we recommend reaching out to a local solar company for an assessment. They’ll come by to review the roof to make sure it’s solar compatible. If so, they’ll come up with a design, plus cost and savings estimates, which you can use in your final proposal to the board or your neighbors. Your solar installer may even be able to help you explain to your community how solar panels are a good idea.

If you get stuck on any of the above steps, community solar is an excellent alternative to rooftop solar, making solar energy more accessible and available to a broader range of people, including renters and condo owners. Community solar is a solar project that serves multiple customers, families, or businesses. Typically, community solar subscribers buy or lease a portion of the project and receive credit on their electric bills for the electricity produced from their project share through virtual net metering. 

In most cases, you'll receive two monthly bills if you sign up for a community solar project: one from your utility company and one from your community solar provider. If all members of your HOA collectively decide to sign up for community solar, the bill from your community solar provider will likely be paid as part of your HOA fees (the electric bill from your utility company will still fall under HOA fees but will be significantly lower).

By signing up for a community solar project, you'll likely save anywhere from 5-15% annually on your electric bills, making it a no-brainer for most people who can't install solar on their properties! Here’s how to get started:

• Review community rules: If your condo is connected to its own electric meter, you should be able to sign up for a community solar project without needing to consult your HOA. If your electric meter is connected to multiple condo units, you’ll need HOA approval.

• Find a community solar program: Once you’ve got approval, you’ll need to find the best community solar program near you. Some local governments have programs to connect residents with community solar projects. You can also see and compare community solar projects through the EnergySage Community Solar Marketplace.

In many cases, deciding to install solar on your condo's property or sign up for community solar will require input from all condo owners in your HOA. However, there are some cases in which you can easily decide to go solar all on your own as a condo owner. Here's a breakdown of some key considerations if you're a condo owner looking to go solar:

Whether you want to sign up for community solar or install solar on your property, you'll want to compare your options. EnergySage is the nation's leading online solar marketplace; using our Community Solar Marketplace, you can compare local options, get a quick community solar savings estimate, and seamlessly subscribe to an open project in your area.

Or, if you decide home solar is the best option for you, you can compare multiple quotes from our network of pre-vetted installers – all for free! Over 10 million people visit EnergySage annually to learn about, shop for, and invest in solar. Get started today to see how much you can save!