Going Green Makes Neighbors Go Blind

Glare from solar panels on an East Bradford roof is blinding neighbors

Some residents in East Bradford, Pa. claim to be blinded by the light – but in this case, it is no godsend.

A homeowner on Muirfield Drive has covered his roof with solar panels. In theory it is an energy-saving, environmental dream. In reality, the glaring roof is an eye sore – literally.

"We can't walk out the front door because the sun blinds us. We have trouble navigating in our house because we're blinded," Judy Armour told the Daily Local.

Armour and her husband can no longer use their living room because of the powerful sunlight being reflected off her neighbor’s sharply-slanted roof.

Township officials are aware of the intense glare coming from the good-intentioned roof and are working with the solar company that installed the panels to remedy the situation.

"This is a unique problem. The industry is in its infancy, and these problems are coming up," the township’s zoning officer Brenden Beaumont told the Daily Local.

One possible solution is to apply a glare-reduction coating, though Kira Constanza, director of external relations for Sunpower Builders, says that the company has never had a glare problem in its 15 years of business.

"It's been troubling to us," Costanza told the Daily Local.

East Bradford Township has issued about 10 permits for residential solar systems and one solar farm in the past three years.
 

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