A neighbour row has erupted after a couple claimed a new extension from next door was blocking solar panels from receiving light.
Dale and Denise Geeves have said the scaffolding on their neighbour's loft conversion is costing them income from their green energy source.
The Kent couple kitted the roof of their Maidstone home with the solar panels in 2011, hoping the move would be greener and help slash their energy costs.
But this has been thrown in jeopardy after their neighbours had planning permission approved to construct a loft - which blocks the pair's 16 panels from receiving light.
The couple from Kent kitted the roof of their Maidstone home with the solar panels in 2011 (file photo)
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Mr and Mrs Geeves told KentOnline: "We are being trampled on and expected to live here like moles in the dark.
“We are going to have to seek compensation for what we have lost.”
The green energy emitted from their solar panels contributes towards 50 per cent of their energy bill.
The couple also pocketed around £1,800 each year as the surplus energy was recirculated back in the grid.
The green energy emitted from the pair's solar panels contributed towards 50 per cent of their energy bill
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The Geeveses splashed out on £14,805 to purchase the panels and forked out an extra £7,500 for the battery.
Prior to the planning permission being accepted, the neighbours carried out a “shadow analysis” of the impact of the loft conversion.
It concluded that the new loft would not prevent the couple's solar panels from receiving light.
Mr Geeves said since the scaffolding went up last month, the couple are now losing around £3-4 every day due to the loss of sunlight.
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Mr Geeves said since the scaffolding went up last month, the couple are now losing around £3-4 every day (file photo)
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He said: “The solar panels generate electricity, so in effect we’ve been getting free electricity, although we had to pay for the panels in the first place.
“So we get free electricity and we’re putting money back into the grid, which we get paid for, so we’re getting double money if you like.
“But now the scaffolding has gone up, we get nothing.
"I think yesterday we made eight pence, as opposed to normally we would have made a couple of pounds at least."
The 76-year-old said that the solar batteries have only managed to charge to 11 per cent since the development broke ground.
The couple now fear that no sunlight at all will be able to reach the panels once the building work is finished.
The neighbours said: “Having grown up in and chosen to live in the local area with my young family, I am extending my house.
“All work is being done in accordance with full planning approved by the council and complying with necessary regulations.
“I hope we can both enjoy our extensions in the years to come.”
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