Had a neighbor yell at me for putting solar panels on my roof and she changed my mind about community outreach

I live in a townhouse complex in Portland and about 6 months ago I got solar panels installed. My next door neighbor Carol came over steaming mad saying I was blocking her afternoon sun and making her garden suffer. She grows tomatoes and said they need like 6 hours direct light. I felt bad but honestly I did my research and her garden is on the south side of her building so my panels barely touch it. I showed her the shade study from my installer but she wouldn't listen. But then I realized she wasn't really mad about the light. She told me she feels left out of all these green incentives because she rents and can't afford a 10k install herself. It stuck with me how the climate action stuff can feel like a rich person game to some folks. Has anyone else run into this where the people who want to help the planet feel like they can't because of money or renting?

2 comments

2 Comments

nina8345d ago

My buddy Jake got chewed out by his landlord for putting a window garden box in, it's wild.

ben_shah935d ago

You mentioned Carol felt left out of green incentives because she rents and can't afford the install. Did she say what would actually help her feel included in climate action, or was she just venting about the money gap?