In an epic showdown of redwood trees and solar panels, two environmentally-conscious families from Northern California met in criminal court for a battle of the shade. One electric car-owning family complained that their Prius-driving neighbors had redwood trees that were preventing the sun from hitting their solar panels. This is not an episode of South Park, but an actual proceeding in California criminal court.
The solar panels triumphed, and the convicted tree neighbors were forced to significantly trim decade-old redwoods. Under the Solar Shade Act, owners can be fined up to $1,000 a day for trees that impede solar panels. To see which came first, the solar panels or the shade, read more.
While this appears to be a case unique to California, typical neighbor issues were at play. Over the years, shade from their neighbor's growing trees, prevented the solar family from enjoying their hot tub or growing corn in the backyard. Seeking refuge in the solar law, the family installed the panels, informed the neighbors of the law, and offered to remove and replace the trees. The tree owners didn't want to touch the trees that were there first, so they all ended up in court.
California lawmakers recognize the dilemma. State Senator Joe Simitian has introduced a bill that will allow trees to grow if they were planted before the installation of solar panels.
Which neighbor do you find more sympathetic — the tree huggers or the tree haters?
By Caprice
DAY Birger et Mikkelsen
Mulberry
This is so perfect. Why is it in criminal instead of civil court? The solar law? Ha! Solar law.
1If they didn't like the shade from the trees, why did they buy the house in the first place? Our court system really rewards people for throwing hissy fits.
2I would think there would be more support for red woods that are decades old considering it takes decades for red woods to grow to a substantial size!
3I agree w/ MM
4The trees were there before the solar panels, and long before either neighbor's house was even built, I am certain. How incredibly silly. We don't like your trees, so we're going to install solar panels and call a law on you to cut them down. How "shady" is that?
5I agree it's all crazy. But, something to think about — the trees weren't as big when they bought the house. So the amount of shade has increased!
6Definitely agree with all of you and am on the side of the tree lovers.
7The solar panel people are idiots. Redwoods are a dying breed of tree, that take centuries to grow. They are quite beautiful and majestic.
Oh, and whatever happened to private property?
8amen cine! private freakin property. if you don't like it move to a place in the desert where the only trees are cacti.
9you'd think the trees would keep things pretty cool in those houses, and it's not like Texas where you need A/C in December. I wonder if they had any idea how much their energy consumption would be with/without the trees. sorry about not being able to grow your own corn, but it doesn't seem like the end of the world.
oh well. sometimes I think I have fussy neighbors!
10This story deserves a BIG OL'
11Down with the trees!
I think it is completely absurd that some people would allow trees to get in the way of someone's right to choose solar power to go green!
12The west coast is full of news today. SF wants to secede from the US, and now northern CA is in favor of cutting down trees? Isn't that counter intuitive to the green movement?
13"SF wants to secede from the US"
If only!
14Nothing is absolute, including property rights. This is not the first time that's been held, and won't be the last. As to private property, this is the problem - it's a conflict of two separate property interests. One is entitled to the use and enjoyment of her property free from any unreasonable interference. If one's enjoyment of her property interests prevents another from enjoyment of his property interests, it's not a simple answer. Unfortunately, we don't have a way of saying - you can keep your trees so long as you keep your shade too. Stop putting your shade on my property.
I agree with some of the apprehensions expressed, that the trees were there before the solar panels. I have a problem if someone introduced the problem himself. I'm not saying I have an answer, just that it's not a simple question. Interestingly, I imagine this was looking at two conflicting public interest too - preservation of redwoods v. renewable energy.
15I say move the panels and run a line to the house. WTF!
16This is what I like to call The Perfect Storm of Stupidity.
17Ha raciccarone!
18I say we shoulod just cut down all the trees! That way no one can complain about them being in the way of the solar panels.
19But if we cut down all trees, then we'll have to start complaining about solar panels and cut all those down too.
20Well, if we do, we'll have plenty of firewood to fuel the power plants and fireplaces to keep us warm.
21good point. And everyone loves a fireplace.
22I am so glad that tax payer dollars are going towards such a frivolous law suit.
23I absolutely endorse using solar panels - but if your neighbor has trees that will interfere - PUT THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE. I mean, really. This is another form of harrassment and it is ridiculous that the homeowners are being forced to trim/remove their trees. I had to live w/o satellite where I used to live because of someone else's trees - I would never have dreamed of getting them to cut them down! Jeesh. And yes, juju, you're right - great use of taxpayer's money!
24Is this Kansas? (Did you see that comeback?) Put the wood in a stove and cause more pollution. Hey, the trees were there first. It is like complaining about an airport or freeway noise when they have have there for decades before you moved in.
25The neighbors installed the panels just to get rid of the trees! If I break my own leg on purpose just to get disability... besides being fraudulent and unethical, maybe I should take it to court anyway. BLAH!
26chiefdishwasher - I did. Wow. 9 down with two minutes to go and won in OT. Memphis fell apart though.
27I'm too upset to even respond to this. I hope a tree branch falls on their solar panel.
28Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.