A. As used in this section, "solar energy collection device" means any device manufactured and sold for the sole purpose of facilitating the collection and beneficial use of solar energy, including passive heating panels or building components and solar photovoltaic apparatus.
B. No unit owners' association shall prohibit an owner from installing a solar energy collection device on that owner's property unless the recorded declaration for the unit owners' association establishes such a prohibition. However, a unit owners' association may establish reasonable restrictions concerning the size, place, and manner of placement of such solar energy collection devices on property designated and intended for individual ownership and use. Any resale certificate pursuant to § 55.1-1990 given to a purchaser shall contain a statement setting forth any restriction, limitation, or prohibition on the right of an owner to install or use solar energy collection devices on his property.
C. A restriction shall be deemed not to be reasonable if application of the restriction to a particular proposal (i) increases the cost of installation of the solar energy collection device by five percent over the projected cost of the initially proposed installation or (ii) reduces the energy production by the solar energy collection device by 10 percent below the projected energy production of the initially proposed installation. The owner shall provide documentation prepared by an independent solar panel design specialist, who is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and is licensed in Virginia, that is satisfactory to the unit owners' association to show that the restriction is not reasonable according to the criteria established in this subsection.
D. The unit owners' association may prohibit or restrict the installation of solar energy collection devices on the common elements or common area within the real estate development served by the unit owners' association. A unit owners' association may establish reasonable restrictions as to the number, size, place, and manner of placement or installation of any solar energy collection device installed on the common elements or common area.
2006, c. 939, §§ 67-700, 67-701; 2008, c. 881; 2009, c. 866; 2013, c. 357; 2014, c. 525; 2020, cc. 272, 795; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances
Chapter 19 - Virginia Condominium Act
§ 55.1-1901. Application and construction of chapter
§ 55.1-1902. Variation by agreement
§ 55.1-1903. Separate assessments, titles, and taxation
§ 55.1-1904. Association charges
§ 55.1-1907. How condominium may be created
§ 55.1-1909. Description of condominium units
§ 55.1-1910. Execution of condominium instruments
§ 55.1-1911. Recordation of condominium instruments
§ 55.1-1912. Construction of condominium instruments
§ 55.1-1913. Complementarity of condominium instruments; controlling construction
§ 55.1-1914. Validity of condominium instruments; discrimination prohibited
§ 55.1-1915. Compliance with condominium instruments
§ 55.1-1916. Contents of declaration
§ 55.1-1917. Allocation of interests in the common elements
§ 55.1-1918. Reallocation of interests in common elements
§ 55.1-1919. Assignments of limited common elements; conversion to common element
§ 55.1-1920. Contents of plats and plans
§ 55.1-1921. Bond to insure completion of improvements
§ 55.1-1922. Preliminary recordation of plats and plans
§ 55.1-1923. Easement for encroachments
§ 55.1-1924. Conversion of convertible lands
§ 55.1-1925. Conversion of convertible spaces
§ 55.1-1926. Expansion of condominium
§ 55.1-1927. Contraction of condominium
§ 55.1-1928. Easement to facilitate conversion and expansion
§ 55.1-1929. Easement to facilitate sales
§ 55.1-1930. Declarant's obligation to complete and restore
§ 55.1-1931. Alterations within units
§ 55.1-1932. Relocation of boundaries between units
§ 55.1-1933. Subdivision of units
§ 55.1-1934. Amendment of condominium instruments
§ 55.1-1935. Use of technology
§ 55.1-1936. Merger or consolidation of condominiums; procedure
§ 55.1-1937. Termination of condominium
§ 55.1-1938. Rights of mortgagees
§ 55.1-1939. Statement of unit owner rights
§ 55.1-1941. Amendment to condominium instruments; consent of mortgagee
§ 55.1-1942. Reformation of declaration; judicial procedure
§ 55.1-1943. Control of condominium by declarant
§ 55.1-1945. Books, minutes, and records; inspection
§ 55.1-1946. Management office
§ 55.1-1947. Transfer of special declarant rights
§ 55.1-1948. Declarants not succeeding to special declarant rights
§ 55.1-1949. Meetings of unit owners' association and executive board
§ 55.1-1950. Distribution of information by members
§ 55.1-1951.1. Installation of solar energy collection devices
§ 55.1-1952. Meetings of unit owners' association and executive board; quorums
§ 55.1-1956. Control of common elements
§ 55.1-1957. Common elements; notice of pesticide application
§ 55.1-1958. Tort and contract liability; judgment lien
§ 55.1-1960. Limitation of occupancy of a unit
§ 55.1-1960.1. Limitation of smoking in condominium
§ 55.1-1961. Use of for sale sign in connection with resale
§ 55.1-1962. Designation of authorized representative
§ 55.1-1962.1. Electric vehicle charging stations permitted
§ 55.1-1964. Liability for common expenses; late fees
§ 55.1-1965. Annual budget; reserves for capital components
§ 55.1-1966. Lien for assessments
§ 55.1-1967. Notice of sale under deed of trust
§ 55.1-1968. Bond to be posted by declarant
§ 55.1-1969. Restraints on alienation
§ 55.1-1970. Common Interest Community Board
§ 55.1-1971. General powers and duties of the Common Interest Community Board
§ 55.1-1972. Exemptions from certain provisions of article
§ 55.1-1974. Limitations on dispositions of units
§ 55.1-1975. Application for registration; fee
§ 55.1-1976. Public offering statement; condominium securities
§ 55.1-1977. Inquiry and examination
§ 55.1-1978. Notice of filing and registration
§ 55.1-1979. Annual report by declarant
§ 55.1-1980. Annual report by unit owners' association
§ 55.1-1981. Termination of registration
§ 55.1-1982. Conversion condominiums; special provisions
§ 55.1-1983. Escrow of deposits
§ 55.1-1984. Declarant to deliver declaration to purchaser
§ 55.1-1985. Investigations and proceedings
§ 55.1-1986. Cease and desist orders
§ 55.1-1987. Revocation of registration
§ 55.1-1990. Resale by purchaser; contract disclosure; right of cancellation
§ 55.1-1991. Contents of resale certificate; delivery
§ 55.1-1992. Fees for resale certificate
§ 55.1-1993. Properties subject to more than one declaration