Rep. Von Haefen files bill in North Carolina House to clarify solar collector deed restrictions

A new bill filed by State Rep. Julie von Haefen in the North Carolina House seeks to encourage solar energy use by addressing deed restrictions on solar collectors for homes, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 856 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Clarify Deed Restrictions/Solar Collectors.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill clarifies the law surrounding deed restrictions on solar collectors, aiming to encourage the use of solar energy by voiding and making unenforceable any deed restrictions, covenants, or agreements that prohibit or effectively prohibit the installation of solar collectors for residential properties. It allows for the regulation of the location or screening of solar collectors, provided such regulations do not reduce the operating efficiency of the solar collectors by more than 10%. However, restrictions can prohibit solar collectors visible from public areas on building facades or roofs sloping toward public areas. Owners’ associations can require title owners to be responsible for any damages or maintenance related to solar collectors, unless an agreement states otherwise. This act applies to agreements recorded on or after it becomes law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Von Haefen and Julia Greenfield proposed the most bills (25) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Haefen graduated from Ohio University in 1992 with a BA and again in 1995 from Case Western Reserve University with a JD.

Haefen, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 36th House district, replacing previous state representative Nelson Dollar.