Curious whether any Charlottesville HOAs restrict solar panels

I haven’t yet run into this in the Charlottesville/Central Virginia area; I see that one development specifically allows them, but I’m curious as to whether anyone has had issues locally when trying to install solar panels.

From the USA Today (archived: 2012) –

There are no hard statistics, but renewable-energy experts say clashes over homegrown renewable energy are on the rise as more Americans seek to cut their utility bills or their carbon footprint.

Sometimes it’s local authorities who stand in the way by refusing to issue the necessary permits, or by charging such high permit fees that homeowners can’t afford them.

…

Renewable-energy proponents say cases such as the Canfields’ show that only a national law will make homegrown wind and solar power as common as they should be. Promoting renewable energy is “a national imperative,” says Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., who introduced a bill that would ban strict regulations on home solar panels. “There are a lot of impediments. We’re trying to do everything we can to pave the way.”

This is the bill in Virginia General Assembly that will prevent HOA’s from restricting solar panels –

A. Except to the extent provided in the condominium instruments, declaration, or rules and regulations duly adopted pursuant thereto, no community association shall enact any provisions restricting solar power or as provided in subsection D, any restrictive covenant included in an instrument affecting the title to real or leasehold property, that restricts the installation or use of any solar energy collection device on units or lots that are part of the development real property in the Commonwealth is declared to be void and contrary to the public policy of the Commonwealth.

B. The A community association may prohibit or restrict shall not enforce any provision of a restrictive covenant that became effective on or after July 1, 2008, that restricts the installation and use of such solar energy collection devices on the common elements or common areas of real estate that the community association owns or has under its care, custody, or control.

I am seriously debating putting a clothesline at my house – we had one when when I was a kid – why not now?

Photo credit.