The short answer
- Condos and townhomes: you can put solar on a roof you control, within HOA rules capped by the Solar Rights Act; shared roofs come with extra duties (Civil Code §4746).
- Apartment buildings: the owner can share one system's credits among tenants through the virtual net billing tariff (since Feb 15, 2024) (CPUC).
- Renters and others without a roof: green tariff programs give a 20% bill discount to income-qualified households in disadvantaged communities (programs).
Condos and townhomes
An HOA can require approval and set reasonable rules but can't ban solar or require a membership vote for a system on your own roof or assigned carport (§714.1). On a shared roof you must insure, maintain and later remove the system and restore the roof, and disclose it to buyers. See HOA solar rights.
Apartment buildings
Virtual net metering let a building owner split one system's credits among tenant accounts. New applicants since Feb 15, 2024 take the Virtual Net Billing Tariff instead, unless they qualify for the affordable-housing (SOMAH or MASH) versions (CPUC). Deed-restricted affordable buildings can get SOMAH incentives (SOMAH).
LADWP buildings
LADWP has been piloting virtual net metering for multifamily buildings; ask LADWP about current terms.
Checked against official sources on Oct 1, 2026. Sources are linked in the text. Not legal, tax or financial advice.