[MassHistPres] Solar Panel Alternative

[Marisa Morra]

Besides the important considerations of historic significance and prominence in the town center, there are several things that need to happen before anyone can put solar panels on  their roof.
1. One must make sure the structure can handle the additional weight load, which is not inconsiderable. When the town of Weston was proposing adding solar panels to the  new DPW building, they had to calculate how much more steel  reinforcing it would need for the additional weight. While the 1840 church will not require such a method, it  would need an assessment from a structural engineer, and likely will cost quite a bit of money to  make sure the church could even handle the weight load.
2. The condition of the roof is important. It has to be in very good condition and a certain type. We know people who were rejected from the "third party" method  [an energy company essentially renting the roof] because their roof was not in good enough condition and doing it over for just that, when it is otherwise sound was too expensive.

These 2 things in combination with the minimal monetary return if the angle and quantity are not just right, might just push them off.

We also had an 18th century house that wanted them, but we convinced them to put the panels on the ground in the far back of their  ( sunny) lot instead.

Marisa Morra
Weston Historical Comm.


On Oct 19, 2015, at 12:17 PM, laurie young wrote:

> We have considered adding solar panels to our (non-historic) Osterville
> Village Library and our experience might be helpful.
> 
> It is possible that you won't get enough benefit from the panels to justify
> the installation, even if the historical impact wasn't of concern.  It
> depends on the angle and direction of the roof, as well as the square
> footage available.  There are companies that will do the evaluation for you.
> But--you are looking for alternatives.
> One you might investigate is something called "net metering".  This is when
> you find another entity with a large solar array that is producing more
> electricity than it uses.  They can then sell or (even better) give this
> extra capacity to you.  Since you're talking about a very historic church,
> you might find some potential partners in the area.  The success of these
> programs is tied up in the tax credits and benefits the giver receives.
> 
> Find a good energy consultant and ask about this.  (thanks for the question,
> it reminds me to get moving myself!)
> 
> Laurie Young
> Vice President, Osterville Village Library
> 
> 
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> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:30:07 -0400
> From: "marcia m.~" <mmw at copper.net>
> Subject: [MassHistPres] solar panel alternatives
> To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Message-ID: <E62C9BDDB0B14BE2BDA6016F2C204A79 at marcia11af392e>
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> The Trustees of our 1840 First Church (STN.39 on the National Register and
> within our Central Square National HD)) are considering adding solar panels
> on the sanctuary roof. That southern exposure is a highly visible fa?ade
> that faces our Town Common. Stoneham has no local historic districts.
> Looking for alternatives; if you know of any please respond. Thanks in
> advance.
> 
> 
> 
> Marcia M Wengen, Co-Chair
> 
> Historical Commission
> 
> Town Hall
> 
> 35 Central Street
> 
> Stoneham, MA 02180
> 
> 
> 
> 
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