You might be wondering if solar lighting is a fantastic option for HOAs. The good news is yes! Solar is a fantastic option for both newly constructed and older HOAs. Greenshine gets constant emails every week about installing outdoor LED solar lights for homeowners' associations. There are several benefits Greenshine would like to point out if you're considering making the switch to solar, even if your HOA has older lighting systems that need to be replaced. Here are four important ones that make solar a very attractive option.

Why Solar Lighting is a Good Option for HOAs

Sometimes HOAs sign off on deals that aren't great for reducing costs

A major factor in HOA fees is the price of the utilities. A lot of monthly fees are wrapped into one simple bill, but the drawback to this bill consolidation is they can be very expensive--a typical range for a monthly HOA fee ranges from 200 to 700 dollars a month. The basics included in that monthly fee are sewer, water, shared utility, trash, recycling, gas, and other fees for shared amenities. 

Naturally, HOA managers want to keep costs low so that it's attractive enough for people to move in--the "best bang for the buck." But sometimes HOAs sign off on agreements with the city that aren't the best for the HOA or the people moving into it, suggesting higher prices than usual to keep the residential community lights on. What's worse is these can have long-term agreements, forcing HOA board members and residents to be locked into prices for months or even years.

That's one of the reasons why solar lighting is a fantastic option for HOAs--the energy savings pass onto the homeowners and their monthly utility bills are kept low. This, of course, goes in line with the other amenities that a HOA might carry--pools, clubhouses, parks, gated security, and other amenities. But it's nice to know that, regardless of how much the monthly fees of a HOA might be, solar lighting is still a good option for HOAs since solar energy is free for everyone. It's a prime time for solar too since inflation has pushed energy bills into skyrocketing territory.

Inflation costs for energy have increased by nearly 1000% since 1957 (for 2020), so there's a natural inclination to combat rising costs of everything, including energy costs, to keep monthly fees as attractive as possible. With solar, monthly utility fees for outdoor lighting are a thing of the past.

Retrofitting Solar Lights to Poles

Admittedly, solar wasn't always as cheap as it used to be. Swanson's law has shown a continual, drastic drop in photovoltaic pricing, which suggests that HOAs built before the 2000s had to bite the bullet and purchase traditional lighting with monthly fees for energy use (or invest in solar, which was pretty expensive).

Thankfully, HOAs that were founded before solar became a viable investment of energy can retrofit their poles with sturdy LED fixtures and monocrystalline solar panels in order to reduce utility bills. The best part is since the poles have already been constructed and installed, a solar light investment costs less since you won't need to ship or purchase the pole. You won't need to hire workers for the pole installation labor, either. 

A solar lighting system for HOAs, especially when the poles are already in place from a previous lighting installation, is a fantastic idea even if the HOA was established decades ago. Just ensure to have the poles inspected by a qualified lighting engineer first to ensure they'll last. There's no sense in installing new lighting equipment on a pole that may need a replacement within a few years.

New Lighting Installations

If you're looking for a new solar lighting system for a new HOA, typical savings from purchasing solar lighting over traditional is about 20%. However, some projects have saved customers upwards of 40 or even 45% of the total cost of a series of lights. In addition to reducing the homeowners' utility fees, a solar lighting installation will save money overall for the HOA since they don't require a costly electrical infrastructure or wiring in order to operate. Here's a larger breakdown of the full cost comparison of solar lighting vs traditional.

Solar Attracts Buyers

Solar has a tendency to gain public attention. If home buyers are in your area scoping your amenities, they'll certainly note an HOA that utilizes solar energy for their utility use. A combination of high technology and aesthetic, green-energy lights will definitely turn heads for people looking to relocate.

If you're on the board for an HOA and looking to install new lighting or replace your old systems, consider solar. It'll make your community look much more attractive for potential home buyers since it reduces fees and also attracts interest. Contact us for a quote or learn more with our solar lighting guide, a comprehensive document that combines the knowledge of several experts into one source.