Question:

I recently came across this news story about a huge solar array installed in Newport Bay. 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. 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. If this goes to court, what form will the case take and who has the upper hand?   Signed, Squinty
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Question:

My company has been installing PV solar systems on residential roof tops for several years. Recently, a large church approached us and asked us to install a solar system on their rooftop and then have us lease the system to them over a few years.

As the economy begins to pick up again, we would love to expand our business into this growing market, but are concerned that doing business with non-profit organizations, or even leasing systems to them, may exempt us from enjoying the 30% grant opportunity (under Section 1603) from the federal government.

Could you please clarify if we are eligible for the 1603 grant if we lease a solar system to a non-profit organization?

Thanks,
Solar Installer

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