PostedJuly 26, 2022, 10:41 PM
Canton de ZurichDazzled by neighbors’ solar panels, he takes legal action
An owner lodged a complaint because the solar installation on the roof of the neighboring house prevented him from enjoying his accommodation and his terrace in the spring.
The solar panels were dazzling the neighbor in the spring. (Illustrative photo)
Moritz Hager/Tamedia AG
It is an unusual case that the Zurich justice had to decide. Indeed, two owners had solar panels installed on the roof of their terraced house in Thalwil (ZH) in 2021. This did not please the neighbor at all. For once, he filed a complaint and the case ended up in court, said the “Zurichsee Newspaper” taken over by the “Blick”.
In fact, shortly after the installation of the offending solar panels, the disgruntled neighbor wrote to the two owners, threatening to hold them responsible for possible health problems. In a 26-page letter (!), he explained to them that only 35 meters separated his terrace from the incriminated roof and that the sun, at certain times of the day in spring, was reflected directly at his home and dazzled him. Thus, it is impossible for him to stay in certain rooms for more than an hour and a half a day and to take advantage of his terrace in March. In addition, the request for the installation would not have been put out to competition publicly, he further indicated.
Solar panels maintained
Following this complaint, the two owners also hired a lawyer. An exchange of letters ensued between the two lawyers, and an out-of-court settlement was reached. Both parties thus bear their lawyer’s fees, the dissatisfied neighbor having to pay the legal costs in addition. But this one was not successful on the object of his wrath, since the solar panels will remain on the roof.
He did not succeed either in making the municipality bend on the non-investigation of the installation. Thalwil explained to the newspaper that this procedure was only necessary if the building was in a central area of the municipality, was subject to monument protection or other special conditions.
(cht)