So...you think regulations should allow renters to modify someone else’s property, even if against the owners wishes?

If a proposition for solar panels is actually realistic and a net positive, the owners should be easily convinced without resorting to force.

The owners would have to pay for the panels.

They do not pay for the electricity used in the property.

Therefore there is no way for it to be in their economic interests.

>Therefore there is no way for it to be in their economic interests.

I would certainly pay a bit more in rent for a place where my energy use was subsidized by panels.

In a way, they do pay for the electricity. The more energy costs their tennants, the less than can charge for rent.

It is a market failure.

The incentives of the owner need to be aligned with the incentives of the tenant, that is the failure.

Either, as you point out, tenants need to be given powers to install solar panels, and given security of tenure to take advantage of the long term investment, (which seems to me would go further than mere planning regs). Or incentivise the owner to install solar panels, this seems more straight forward, although might not necessarily benefit the tenant.

When you own a condo, a similar problem arises: you need everyone in the building to agree, since the roof is shared. In my building, this would be a non-starter.