[MassHistPres] Criteria for volume of solar panels

[slater at alum.rpi.edu]

I am trying to write guidelines for solar panels in local historic
districts in Springfield. I am trying to come up with a criteria which
can be used to determine the volume of solar paneling which may be
installed, balancing the negative impact to the district against the
positive impact to the homeowner and the state.

Assuming that visible panels are allowed, what factor could we use to
judge whether there are "too many"? As the number of panels increases,
the property owner's electrical bill decreases, so more panels is almost
always more beneficial to the homeowner.

Likewise, there is a minimum number of panels that a homeowner needs to
install in order to make the fixed costs of installation feasible. To go
one step further, there is a minimum number of panels that third-party
solar companies will install - anything less isn't worth their effort.