Solar energy vs Redwood trees?

Question

A friend relayed a story to me about two neighbors in California - both environmentalists. One sued the other because the redwood trees in his neighbor's yard were obstructing the sunlight from reaching his solar panels. He won the lawsuit and the redwood trees had to come down.

Can you tell me if you have heard this story or if you think that solar energy might be problematic in this way.

Answer 1

i haven't heard this story and i think solar energy could be very high in problematic this way

Answer 2

Change Redwood to Pine and the story is probably true.

Answer 3

I have not heard about the story.

But I suppose that the solar panels can be removed, you know, it is just a machine.

In contrast, the tree is a living matter and it gets its roots. It cannot be removed very easily.

By the way, tree needs many years to grow. If it is high enough to grow as tall as the solar panel, it takes many years. And its leaves it going to absorb a lot of CO2 and release many O2 to balance the compsition of the air. If the guy who uses the solar panel is really environment friendly, he should not make the tree cut down, but to move his panel slightly to left side or right side.

Answer 4

This is purely anecdotal and probably untrue.

Answer 5

I agree with the first answer.

Answer 6

I'm guessing that the redwood trees in this case weren't old growth, but had been planted.  

I don't think this is a major environmental problem.   Clearly the benefits of a solar power system are greater than those of a few trees in someones back yard.  Cutting them down may be annoying, and an esthetic problem for the tree owner, but it's not an environmental problem.

I don't think you should be totally free to take actions which reduce the value of a neighbor's property.  Consideration should be given to the relevant costs and benefits for each.

EDIT - Seems that the judge saw it the same way, compromising:

" In December, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Kurt Kumli found the couple guilty of one count of violating the Solar Shade Control Act. In a partial victory for each side, he ruled that six of the trees can remain and that the two generating the most shade must be removed. He also waived any fines."

http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/2008/01...

Answer 7

we have to cut down trees to get energy...and we are trying to save the environment by doing this how?

Answer 8

Ah noo...am kind of far from California but solar energy is the way to go and pity that some countries do not invest in it more.

http://www.solarbuzz.com/index.asp

EDIT : don't  know anything about redwood trees....am surrounded with Maple trees :-)

Answer 9

The problem doesn't sound like solar energy per se, but rather where the neighbor chose to put his panels.  As a rule, redwoods take up a lot of room, so for his neighbor to have multiple trees would suggest a fair amount of land, and surely they weren't ALL on the border of their property.

Solar panels are wonderful sources of renewable energy if you can affor them, but you need to take a long-range view in the planning of their installation and maintenance (hail, snow accumulation, etc).

Me, I would've put them on my roof or the far north edge of the property to avoid the shade and leave the trees alone.