Sunnyvale - A dispute between Sunnyvale neighbors has resulted in a new law.
The issue began when a couples' trees cast a shadow on their neighbors' solar panels... the tree owners were ultimately forced to cut down some of their trees.
Local State Senator Joe Simitian then proposed a bill addressing the issue and the governor has signed it into law. It protects trees and shrubs that were planted prior to the installation of the solar collector. It also eliminates criminal prosecution as a penalty for violation of the law.
The Sunnyvale couple who lost their trees first approached Simitian about the bill in his "There Oughta Be A Law" contest.
Simitian says the new law protects solar energy, but not at the expense of those who want to plant trees.
