As solar energy grows more accessible and affordable across Texas, more Anniston residents are exploring solar panels and battery storage systems to power their homes. From lowering monthly bills to reducing environmental impact, the benefits can be significant—but understanding how solar works and what your neighborhood requires is just as important as choosing the right equipment.

Here’s a practical, community-focused guide to help homeowners in Anniston navigate the solar energy process with confidence and clarity.

Why More Homeowners Are Turning to Solar Power

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), residential solar energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to grid-powered electricity, depending on the region and energy mix. In addition to helping the environment, solar panels can provide long-term savings by offsetting monthly electricity bills and boosting property value.

The Department of Energy also reports that homeowners can recoup around 97% of solar installation costs at resale, making it one of the highest-return home improvements for resale value.

And it’s not just about savings. With energy independence becoming a growing concern—especially in areas prone to extreme heat, hurricanes, and grid interruptions—many families are investing in battery storage systems to keep essential appliances running during outages.

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How Solar Energy Works on a Single-Family Home

A typical residential solar system includes:

• Photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on your roof or property
• An inverter to convert solar energy into electricity
• A meter to measure usage
• Optional battery backup for energy storage

Solar panels collect sunlight and convert it into electricity, which powers your home and reduces your reliance on the grid. Any unused electricity can either be stored or fed back into the grid depending on your setup and utility agreements.

What to Know Before Installing Solar in Anniston

If you’re an Anniston homeowner, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the official Solar Energy Devices Policy in the Anniston Community Policies Manual before you move forward.

Here are the key local guidelines to keep in mind:

Approval Is Required

Before you install, you must submit the proposed location and system details to the Anniston Architectural Control Committee for written approval—even if your system meets all other requirements.

Roof-Mounted Panels Must Follow These Rules

• Panels should be located on the rear half of the roof and not visible from the street—unless moving them would reduce performance by more than 10%, based on a publicly available modeling tool from the National Renewable Energy Lab.
• Panels must not extend above the roofline and should follow the slope and lines of the roof.
• Color must be silver, bronze, or black, and no marketing or logos are allowed, aside from the standard manufacturer’s marks.

Ground-Mounted Panels Have Additional Limits

If you opt for a non-roof-mounted system, it must be:

• Located within a fenced yard or patio
• No taller than the fence line

Installation Must Meet All Applicable Codes

Your system must comply with manufacturer instructions, local building codes, and state regulations—and should not void any warranties in the process.

Not Permitted on HOA Common Property

No part of your solar system may be installed on Association-maintained property or green spaces.

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Solar Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Not every home will benefit equally from solar panels. Before installing a system, it’s wise to:

• Conduct a shade analysis to see how much sun your roof gets
• Compare quotes from multiple licensed solar installers
• Review the total cost vs. projected savings
• Understand your utility company’s policies on net metering or energy buyback

You can use the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts® Calculator to estimate how much solar electricity your home could produce based on location and system specs.

Need Help Navigating the Process?

To view the full solar policy and other helpful community guidelines, visit the Anniston Policies & Procedures page.

If you have specific questions or need clarification about solar energy device approvals, reach out to Eddie Padilla, your community manager with KRJ Management. Contact details can be found at myneighborhoodnews.com/anniston-management-company.

Whether you’re interested in saving money, reducing your carbon footprint, or preparing for power outages, going solar can be a great step forward. Just be sure to plan wisely—and neighborly.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more helpful guides, policy reminders, and Anniston updates.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.