A local homeowner's solar dispute

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Some local homeowners using solar power are running into obstacles in their own neighborhood. A Sunset Valley resident is facing issues in his neighborhood as some of his neighbors are speaking out against his solar powered home.

A local resident recently installed a solar power system in the fall and has so far saved over $300 on electric bills. The local homeowner applied to put more panels on his garage to offset all of his energy needs, and his request was denied. The local government is offering incentives, but the HOA doesn't seem to allow him to have solar panels that can be seen from the street.

Solar panels and solar energy devices are a relatively new concern for Homeowners Associations with many deed restrictions not even addressing how they should be managed. Decisions like these are tackled on a case by case basis. But for the local homeowner, solar power is the wave of the future which he wants to jump on now. His HOA is reconsidering his proposal again in May.