Senate Bill 423 - Homeowner Solar Expansion Act

• Voids and makes unenforceable any deed restrictions, covenants, or agreements that prohibit installation of solar collectors on residential properties for water heating, space heating/cooling, or electricity generation.

• Allows deed restrictions to regulate solar collector location or screening only if such regulations do not reduce operating efficiency by more than 10% of the original specifications.

• Exempts from enforcement deed restrictions that prohibit solar collectors visible from common or public access areas, including facades, downward-sloping roof surfaces, and areas within sight lines of the structure.

• Permits third-party ownership and operation of renewable energy facilities on customer properties to sell electricity directly to that customer without being classified as a public utility, provided the facility supplies no more than 125% of the customer's average annual electricity consumption.

• Requires third-party renewable energy facility operators to report proposed construction to the Utilities Commission prior to beginning construction and establishes a $25.00 reporting fee.