[MassHistPres] solar panels in historic districts

[slater at alum.rpi.edu]

In Springfield, we look for 

1) Placement - putting them on secondary buildings like garages, when
this is feasible. It might sometimes be possible to put them in the rear
of a structure rather than on the front, even though the rear may
require more support structure. 

2) Color - although the panels are black, does the color of the housing
blend into the structure.

I would say that MGL 40C does not exempt solar panels from housing, so
it would be possible to deny panels on a very important, prominent, and
significant building. 

Ralph Slate
Springfield, MA

<-----Original Message----->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
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