Jan 29, 2008 8:03 pm US/Pacific
Neighbors Battling Over Solar Panels And Trees
SANTA CLARA COUNTY (CBS13) ―
It's green versus greener, a battle over redwood trees blocking solar panels. Richard Treanor planted the trees in his yard 11 years ago, but neighbor Mark Vargas says they reduce the amount of electricity the panels can generate.
"Trees do a lot of good," says Richard. "Solar does a lot of good, too."
"Some people say they're for solar power, and some people do something about it," says Mark.
Vargas says his panels produce enough power to sell back to the utility company. His yearly bill is only $60.
Both neighbors insist they are pro-environment. Richard has a hybrid car, and Vargas drives, of course, an all-electric one.
"We have no feud," says Richard. "This isn't a Hatfield-McCoy issue."
But it is a criminal case. The Santa Clara County prosecutor said even though the trees were there first, they violated the stat's solar shade control act. They blocked more than 10% of the solar panels.
There are eight redwood trees in question, and the judge tried to come to a happy medium. He ordered the Traenors to take down two of them.
Richard says he's made plans to take down the trees, but he's appealing the verdict.
"There needs to be clarification," he says. "Something in law that respects both parties' interests in the situation."
The two trees are scheduled to come down March 28.
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