[MassHistPres] Solar Panel Alternative

Tue Oct 20 15:01:35 EDT 2015

Marisa,
I would concur with comments below.  Having installed 35 photo-voltaic solar panels above a sloped roof nearly a decade ago using recommended supports compatible with shingle roofing, the modest weight can be distributed similar to the original roof loading.  Raising the panels 6-inches above the existing roof allows one to "read" the architecture below, for the same reason some historic districts do not regulate storm windows and storm doors.
-Ed

Edward O. Nilsson, AIA, Principal
Nilsson + Siden Associates, Inc., Architects & Planners
262 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970
Web site: www.nsaarch.com
Tel 978.741.5777   Fax 978.741.0557  Cell 978.578.0188
Email: enilsson at nsaarch.com
________________________________________
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] on behalf of Roughan, Michael [Michael.Roughan at hdrinc.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 11:46 AM
To: Marisa Morra
Cc: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu; laurie young
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Solar Panel Alternative

Marisa,

You bring up some very good points. As an architect I would recommend owners look closely at how the solar panels are secured to the roof. Carrying the panels above the roof on a subframe and minimizing the roof penetrations should be a consideration. The town of Hopkinton allowed a Solar Co to install their solar panels on the new High School gym roof with connections through the roof at every panel to distribute the structural load instead of building cribbage above the roof. As you may expect, the roof leaked and every time the solar panel co fixed the roof but refused to accept responsibility for significant residual damage.

.....Mike

Michael Roughan, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP
Vice President | Healthcare Principal
HDR
695 Atlantic Ave
Boston, Ma. 02111
D 617.357.7725<tel:617.357.7725> M 617.784.6463<tel:617.784.6463>
michael.roughan at hdrinc.com<mailto:michael.roughan at hdrinc.com>
hdrinc.com/follow-us<http://hdrinc.com/follow-us>

On Oct 20, 2015, at 10:55 AM, Marisa Morra <marisa-ah at comcast.net<mailto:marisa-ah at comcast.net>> wrote:

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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Today's Topics:

 1. solar panel alternatives (marcia m.~)

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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:30:07 -0400
From: "marcia m.~" <mmw at copper.net<mailto:mmw at copper.net>>
Subject: [MassHistPres] solar panel alternatives
To: <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto: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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