Philosophy
Didn't a similar issue arise a few years ago concerning wind turbines?
Stephen and Mashid Rizzone long planned on creating a fully "green" dream home and impart a legacy of environmental responsibility to their children.
Toward that end, 168 solar panels were installed in May on the back of the Rizzones' hillside Newport Beach home, facing the northeast side of Balboa Island. And although the panels may indeed be environmentally responsible, they are also imparting a lot of glare on the island neighbors.
"I'm all for going green, and I'm not trying to stop anyone from having solar panels," said Bob Olson, who says the porch of his Balboa Island home is now subjected to an intense glare for 2 1/2 hours a day because of the Rizzones' solar panels. "What I don't understand is why in the world they didn't put the panels on the roof, where it would be more fitting with the look of the community."
So Olson is organizing a coalition of homeowners to take action against the project, starting with a petition to have the panels moved to the Rizzones' rooftop.
"We are certainly concerned about our neighbors, and we have tried to respond to all concerns as best we can," Stephen Rizzone said. "We have made every effort to comply with all laws and regulations. The project is fully permitted and approved by the city."
And the solar panels, he said, are here to stay.The glass covering the Rizzones' solar panels is treated to decrease glare, said Rita Edwards, marketing manager for Northern California-based Premier Power Renewable Energy, which installed the panels and has used the same tempered glass coverings on other projects with success.
Olson, who designed and had a hand in building his Balboa Island home in 2005, said he planned his residence with the intention of preserving the "village look" of the neighborhood.
"Every detail, from the materials used on the roof door to the color of my front door, was kept in mind with respect of my neighbors and their homes," Olson said.
In the past, homeowners associations have prevented residents from making changes that would disrupt the established look of a neighborhood. But under the California Solar Rights Act, homeowners groups and local governments are prohibited from denying permits or otherwise preventing the installation of solar panels based on aesthetics.
Still, Olson believes he has found an answer by applying a 2004 amendment, Assembly Bill 2473, which allows for the relocation of solar panels as long as moving them does not cost more than 20% of the total project or lower its efficiency by 20%.
Olson said lawyers he has consulted agree with his interpretation of the amendment. He has yet to hire an attorney, however. It's also unclear whether the amendment applies to projects that have already been completed.
Stephen Rizzone said landscapers are planting trees on the hill to soften the look of the panels and he is confident that neighbors will be more comfortable once they see the finished look.
"The posts are planted 22 feet into the ground and surrounded by cement," Rizzone said of the solar panel project. "It's in and it's not going anywhere."
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Philosophy
Being "green" makes some see "red"
Didn't a similar issue arise a few years ago concerning wind turbines?
"Newport Beach neighbors are glaring at solar panels"
Newport Beach residents say the panels on a hillside home are reflecting too much sunlight and want them moved to the roof. The owners say that the panels are staying.
by
Sarah Peters
June 22nd, 2010
Los Angeles Times
Newport Beach residents say the panels on a hillside home are reflecting too much sunlight and want them moved to the roof. The owners say that the panels are staying.
by
Sarah Peters
June 22nd, 2010
Los Angeles Times
Stephen and Mashid Rizzone long planned on creating a fully "green" dream home and impart a legacy of environmental responsibility to their children.
Toward that end, 168 solar panels were installed in May on the back of the Rizzones' hillside Newport Beach home, facing the northeast side of Balboa Island. And although the panels may indeed be environmentally responsible, they are also imparting a lot of glare on the island neighbors.
"I'm all for going green, and I'm not trying to stop anyone from having solar panels," said Bob Olson, who says the porch of his Balboa Island home is now subjected to an intense glare for 2 1/2 hours a day because of the Rizzones' solar panels. "What I don't understand is why in the world they didn't put the panels on the roof, where it would be more fitting with the look of the community."
So Olson is organizing a coalition of homeowners to take action against the project, starting with a petition to have the panels moved to the Rizzones' rooftop.
"We are certainly concerned about our neighbors, and we have tried to respond to all concerns as best we can," Stephen Rizzone said. "We have made every effort to comply with all laws and regulations. The project is fully permitted and approved by the city."
And the solar panels, he said, are here to stay.The glass covering the Rizzones' solar panels is treated to decrease glare, said Rita Edwards, marketing manager for Northern California-based Premier Power Renewable Energy, which installed the panels and has used the same tempered glass coverings on other projects with success.
Olson, who designed and had a hand in building his Balboa Island home in 2005, said he planned his residence with the intention of preserving the "village look" of the neighborhood.
"Every detail, from the materials used on the roof door to the color of my front door, was kept in mind with respect of my neighbors and their homes," Olson said.
In the past, homeowners associations have prevented residents from making changes that would disrupt the established look of a neighborhood. But under the California Solar Rights Act, homeowners groups and local governments are prohibited from denying permits or otherwise preventing the installation of solar panels based on aesthetics.
Still, Olson believes he has found an answer by applying a 2004 amendment, Assembly Bill 2473, which allows for the relocation of solar panels as long as moving them does not cost more than 20% of the total project or lower its efficiency by 20%.
Olson said lawyers he has consulted agree with his interpretation of the amendment. He has yet to hire an attorney, however. It's also unclear whether the amendment applies to projects that have already been completed.
Stephen Rizzone said landscapers are planting trees on the hill to soften the look of the panels and he is confident that neighbors will be more comfortable once they see the finished look.
"The posts are planted 22 feet into the ground and surrounded by cement," Rizzone said of the solar panel project. "It's in and it's not going anywhere."
- Sadly Shakes Head
An editorial at Investors Business Daily tries to make the case against the current proposed health care reforms by confusing it with the socialized medical system of Great Britain (which it in no way resembles). To make it better they try to tie it in...
- Stolen Petroglyphs From Eastern Sierra Recovered
"Petroglyphs stolen from sacred eastern Sierra site recovered" January 31st, 2013 Los Angeles Times Petroglyph panels cut and chiseled off an eastern Sierra rock art site sacred to Native Americans have been recovered by federal investigators, U.S....
- Atlas V Rocket Launched Juno Into Space And On Its Way To Jupiter
"Juno probe heads for Jupiter from Cape Canaveral" August 5th, 2011 BBC NEWS A $1.1bn (£0.7bn) unmanned space mission has launched from Florida on a journey to the planet Jupiter. The Juno spacecraft will cruise beyond Mars to put itself in orbit...
- Being "green" Isn't Easy...or Popular
Can you really legislate "being green". Resistance will always be present. "Even Boulder Finds It Isn't Easy Going Green" by Stephanie Simon February 13th, 2010 The Wall Street Journal This spring, city contractors will fan out across this well-to-do...
- Uk Physics Got Their Budget--two Billion Pounds
"UK physics funding plans are approved" by Hamish Johnston July 3rd, 2008 physicsworld.com After six months of often bitter debate and recriminations, the UK's Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) has approved its funding programme...