for sochien due Feb,4th, 2021

Kendyl Smith Public Comment Letter

January 31st, 2020 January 27, 2020 Governor Eric Holcomb Office of the Governor Statehouse Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2797 Phone: 317-232-4567

Dear Governor Holcomb,

I am writing to express my support for Indiana House Bill 1331 that would stifle homeowners associations' ability to prohibit residential solar energy systems.

As a lifelong Hoosier attending Indiana University, I plan on starting my career and investing in a home located in Indiana following graduation. I believe maximizing our state solar access rights would be an important step towards a cleaner energy future. With 173,000 Terawatts, over 10,000 times the amount of energy used by humans, of solar energy continually hitting our planet, it’s common sense to be harvesting this power1. As technology improves the cost of solar energy is rapidly decreasing, and more citizens are looking to make the switch as it’s long term benefits can save them money. However, major obstacles like permitting, zoning, inspections, waiting periods, and homeowners associations make it difficult to install solar panels2. While some of this process is necessary, eliminating the ability of homeowners associations to prohibit solar energy systems can help streamline this process and will incentivize more citizens to invest in a cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient future3.

The biggest argument in support of giving homeowners associations the power to restrict solar panels is the potential effect it could have on property values. However, a recent study conducted by Zillow (provided on next page) concludes that nation wide solar energy systems can increase property values by 4.1%4. If all assessed property in Indiana increased by 4.1% as the Zillow study suggests, then this could lead to an increase in property tax revenue for the State of Indiana and in turn lead to a possible increase in funding for our public schools. In Indiana, our public schools are largely funded by property taxes5.

1 Erin R. Pierce, “Top 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Solar Energy,” Energy.gov, accessed January 28, 2020. https://www.energy.gov/articles/top-6-things-you-didnt-know-about-solar-energy

2 Erin R. Pierce, “Top 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Solar Energy,” Energy.gov, accessed January 28, 2020. https://www.energy.gov/articles/top-6-things-you-didnt-know-about-solar-energy

3 “Can My HOA Stop Me From Installing Solar Panels?” Solar Gaines, accessed January 28, 2020. http://solargaines.com/solar-panels-hoa-rules/ 4 Sarah Mikhitarian, “Homes With Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More,” Zillow, accessed January 29, 2020. https://www.zillow.com/research/solar-panels-house-sell-more-23798/ 5 Shaina Cavazas, “The basics of school funding in Indiana: Difficulty defining fairness, “ Chalkbeat.org. Accessed January 30, 2020. https://chalkbeat.org/posts/in/2015/01/04/the-basics-of-school-funding-difficulty-defining- fairness/

While the primary benefit of solar panels is environmental, the secondary benefit is to increase the property tax base without increasing property tax rates.

Furthermore, many believe that we are on the cusp of developing an integrated solar panel roofing system. Innovators such as Tesla have been trying to develop a roofing shingle that has an integrated solar panel6. I believe that if Indiana homeowner’s associations are allowed to prohibit solar panels from Hoosier homes it will stifle innovation and leave us at an economic disadvantage in comparison to the remainder of the states.

Collectively, as a state, we need to strive for a more sustainable future. Given the effect this legislation could have on property owners’ solar access rights I urge you to pass House Bill 1331.

You are more than welcome to contact me by phone at (260) 906-6473 or via email at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kendyl Smith Kendyl Smith Student at Indiana University Studying Environmental Management

6 Kelly Pickerel, “The latest of solar roofs, solar shingles, and solar tiles’” Solar Power World, accessed January 30, 2020. https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2019/04/the-latest-on-solar-roofs-solar-shingles-and-solar-tiles/

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7 Sarah Mikhitarian, “Homes With Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More,” Zillow, accessed January 29, 2020. https://www.zillow.com/research/solar-panels-house-sell-more-23798/ 8 Graham Shorr, “ Home Solar Panels: Pros, Conc, and Hidden Costs,” Expertise, access January 30 2020. https://www.expertise.com/green/home-solar-panels-pros-cons-and-hidden-costs