[MassHistPres] solar panels in historic districts

[jdianeol at aol.com]

Although I have not worked with them, I believe you have an incorrect understanding of how photovoltaic shingles are wired.  It is my understanding that you make a single penetration for a main feed to the house's internal electrical system but connect the shingles to each other outside of the sheathing but below the shingles.  The photovoltaic shingles need to be raised above the main roof sheathing layer on nailing strips very similar to the manner in which slate shingles are attached.  Unless the electrical connections vary between photovoltaic shingle manufacturers, I think that multiple penetrations are not only unnecessary, they would also likely be very undesirable.



-----Original Message-----
From: Willa Bandler <willa at keyfitz.org>
Cc: MHC MHC listserve <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Fri, Sep 2, 2011 1:19 pm
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] solar panels in historic districts


On Thu, 1 Sep 2011, Dennis De Witt wrote:
> Solar photovoltaic shingles can be put on in a way that is minimally 
 objectionable.
Possibly. But solar shingles require separate connections (=separate 
laces for leaks to occur) in every single shingle. The raised hot water 
olar collectors you deplore stand off the roof and thus protect whatever 
riginal material is there, and have minimal roof penetration 
equirements. I find it interesting that you would prefer a solution that 
ooks better but is potentially worse for the future preservation of the 
uilding; one complaint I hear a *lot* about HDCs is that they care about 
reserving appearances rather than preserving actual history.
I don't agree with those who compare ugly solar panels (mailboxes, 
asketball hoops, etc) to vinyl siding and window replacement. The first 
ategory is a matter of taste, while the second does actual material harm 
o the thing we claim to be trying to save. I don't see how totally 
emovable things that make people's lives better are a threat to 
reservation just because some of us happen not to like them and would 
ather they be put on the back of the house. (For the record, I don't like 
he way some solar panels look either, but if the front of the house faces 
outh, putting them on the back of the house isn't really an option.)
-Willa
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