[MassHistPres] Solar panels on historic buildings without HPR's?

[Barbara Kurze]

Hello Susan,

Newton's historic district commissions typically require the following where the project would be visible from a public way: avoid installations on the front/primary roof faces; avoid damage to historic roof material such as slate or tile; the panels and mounting assemblies be unobtrusive ("matte black" panels and dark/not shiny mounting assemblies); installations be parallel to the roof surface and as close to the roof surface as possible; configurations be symmetrical (no patchwork of panels); visible conduits painted to match the surfaces where they are installed; and meters, shut off switches, equipment boxes be located where they are not visible or minimally visible.

Hope this helps!

Barbara Kurze
Senior Preservation Planner
City of Newton Planning Department
1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
617.796.1129
Pronouns: she/her/hers

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of rcsmitharch--- via MassHistPres
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 4:12 PM
To: 'Susan Mareneck' <leveretthistoryinfo at gmail.com>; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Solar panels on historic buildings without HPR's?


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You could look at the Swampscott Historic District Commission design guidelines- we allow solar panels (preferably not on primary facades), but we regulate the placement of the secondary equipment and ask proponents to keep that off primary facades where at all possible.

Development Forms & Guidelines | Swampscott, MA (swampscottma.gov)<https://www.swampscottma.gov/community-development/pages/development-forms-guidelines>

For an installation you could look at the Unitarian Universalist Area Church on the town green in Sherborn.

Richard Smith
Swampscott Historic District Commission

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu>> On Behalf Of Susan Mareneck via MassHistPres
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 8:56 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: [MassHistPres] Solar panels on historic buildings without HPR's?

Any examples?  Protocols?

Thanks for any help you can give.  Leverett's historic meeting house (not original but 1838 rebuild) now Congregational Church is looking to upgrade heating and needs guidance.

Susan Mareneck
Leverett Historical Commission

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