One of the fears with adoption of alternative energy technology is that it isn’t going to produce enough power. So maybe there’s just not enough wind, or maybe the sun don’t shine. But in urban areas, the challenge goes further when your neighbours change things around you. This has happened recently in Aberdeen, SK, Canada when a neighbour started building a home that will partially block the sunlight on the adjacent lot…
This was going to be our retirement home," said Annette Schewe, who moved with her husband Les into the home in Aberdeen, Sask., about 35 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, on April 14. "We just can’t believe this is happening. I can’t tell you the mental anguish it’s had on both of us."
A closet is filled with 12 large batteries that store the energy produced by the massive solar panels on the south-sloped roof. The sun powers and heats the entire home, including its ceramic floors. The house is also linked to the town’s power grid as a backup source. The trouble is, a concrete foundation for what’s to be a two-storey home – looming 10 feet higher than the Schewes’ – has been built on a 25-foot lot behind them.
"It’s our own stupidity. We didn’t get a survey done when we bought the house," said Schewe, who assumed the lot was too small for any structures.
Owners of solar-powered home left in the dark
Do Canadians have a right to light? Certainly, the law is weak on many fronts when it comes to disputes that between neighbours that fall outside of municipal ordinances such as zoning bylaws.
The article states that other countries have “solar easements”, here’s an interesting document (pdf 100kB) from the Energy Policies Initiatives Centre in San Diego about Californian Legislation on the matter.
If you enjoyed this post, why not try these ones:
- Australia to Build World’s Largest Solar Plant
- Early Adopters of Sustainable Energy
- Clean Energy in Winter
- Solar Powered Biofuel Service Station
- Greening an Existing Home – Part 3
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This blog is relevant to This blog is relevant to Solar Power Homes that Solar power has been promised for years as an alternative way to power homes. However, for more than a decade, a dream is all that it has been. Solar power has remained too expensive for most homes. I recommend that every home must use this.