Solar Panels anger neighbors.

[btuser]

I dunno. The frosted side of me wants to say live and let live, but if I spent big money on a view and someone put up solar panels to block it I'd be pissed.

They could put those on the roof, but I'm sure it was cheaper where they are.
They could put them closer to their house, but I'm sure it would be an inconvenience for THEM, not their neighbors. It would have left them less room for their $5000 swing sets and $40,000 in-ground pool (heated?)
They could have built a smaller house if they wanted to save the planet.
They could have asked the neighbors what they thought of it.

That's, I guess the worst part of it. Buying a house and not giving a chit about the people you share space with. Part of me wants to say screw 'em, because I've had those conversations with the nosy neighbors who want to know when I'm going to move that canoe from the side of my house to the back of my house.

 

[Bobbin]

Pretty easy to see who fertilizes their lawns, huh? think they're using organic lawn care services? Also who knows how to properly plant trees along a driveway, or not...

I can see both sides of the issue, but for Pete's sake, it's not the end of the world. I'm not thrilled about the house going up behind our's, but we didn't have the money to buy the lot and I have no control over what'll be built. My best option? be friendly and look at the "newcomers" as potentially good friends. There are way bigger "fish to fry" and being a pain in your neighbor's ass isn't likely to improve neighborhood relations.

 

[PapaDave]

Everything in excess. Seems to be the American way.
Looks like every other cookie cutter neighborhood I've ever seen.
Al Gore comes to mind here.
Possible to relocate the panels without losing efficiency, or does the neighbor just not want panels in HIS neighborhood. Maybe he thinks it's too lowbrow to want to save. Hard to tell from here.

 

[Freefall_Doug]

Too bad so sad. It is his property, he followed zoning, and gave proper easement.

If you don't want neighbors compromising your vista you should buy more property. I don't even think it is inconsiderate, I think the neighbor's are a bunch of asses to expect that he should own this land and pay taxes on it, but not use it how he sees fit. I don't think they ever sent him a check to help subsidize the free view they were enjoying.

It would be hard to say if they solar panels were a smart investment, maybe the house is insulated to the hilt and low energy consuming all around, but it isn't the point. It could be a shed, and it wouldn't change a thing.

Typical NIMBY suburban domesticated morons. They are pissed because they bought into a high rent area with big houses, and now they think they are owed something. No, you just bought into high property taxes. Waaa waaaa.

 

[amkazen]

16 feet high is not unusual given the size of panels. An approximate 4kW PV system (including 24 - 32 batteries) is sufficient to provide electrical power a 2,500 - 4,000 sq. ft., insulated home, and not need any grid-power and not be concerned about power, meaning it is not thought about, just like people do not think about power when they are connected to the grid. PV panels can be different sizes, such as 3x5. You take two 3x5 panels and put then on a rack ened to end and that gives you a little less than 10' tall because they are mounted at an angle. Add in the distance off the ground you mount the panels, at say 2' - 4', and the top of the rack, the high point, is now probably about 10' - 14' off the ground, especially in the winter months when the panels are more vertical to catch the winter sun.

We have no idea what the owner of the solar system had in mind when he installed this isystem: complete independence form the grid, partial grid power, etc. How many people live in this house? Mom & Dad plus 2 kids, plus grandparents? What is the shading factor on the panels and is that why they were put on the property line? Are there plans to build another building on the property, such as a workshop or a garage?

What view is there in a neighborhood like that? Do we know if a view exists?

The bottom line is it is on their own property and they abided by county / village / city laws. The neighbors need to shut up, or put up the money to buy that house and then take the panels down.