[MassHistPres] solar panels in historic districts

[Roseanne Saalfield]

A veritable blizzard of solar panels are about to descend on the roofs of Harvard.  I hope to have a focused conversation about this important topic at our meeting next week but would love input from other towns that have already addressed this issue.

Frankly, I cannot see how historic district commissions can exert any control over panels visible from a public way given that we do not involve ourselves in questions relating to storm windows or electric meters. Much as I personally find the panels often quite ugly (though I support the effort to find sustainable energy sources) and will not put them on the perfectly oriented south facing roof of my antique farmhouse(outside of the district) I don't know whether we have standing in this issue at all.  Engineering trumps all in this case, I feel.

But I seek to learn ...

thanks
Roseanne Saalfield
Chair
Town Of Harvard
Historic Commission