Lifestyle | solar panel Solar Panels Trump Trees Calif. man forced to cut down redwoods so neighbor can tap sun's energy By Nick McMaster Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:43 PM CDT Copied Richard Treanor shows the trees in the backyard of his home in Sunnyvale, Calif., Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) A dispute between California neighbors pitting trees against solar panels has gone to the panels, KGO-TV reports. Following a seven-year battle over whether one should have to cut down trees in his backyard that shade the other’s solar panels, Richard Treanor today chopped two redwoods after he was found guilty of violating the Solar Shade Control Act of 1978. “Nobody is against solar here. We just want some clarity of thinking. Let's just be respectful of all the parties’ interests," said the Silicon Valley resident, who added he can't afford further legal appeals. The dispute has prompted a state legislator to propose a measure giving priority to whichever came first—but too late to help Treanor’s trees. Read These Next Online boo-bears go after the demo firm tearing White House apart. President Monroe's daughter wrote a desperate plea in 1839. Plane windshield partially shatters mid-flight. There's a suspect. 'Butt-breathing' could be the future for struggling patients. Report an error