Board approves roof solar expansion at 100 Union Avenue if one panel is removed or relocated

The Design Review Board voted July 22 to approve an expansion of a roof-mounted solar array at 100 Union Avenue in a historic district, with a condition that the panel closest to Union Avenue be removed or relocated behind the chimney.

Scott Ference of Castleman Solar said the existing system on the house is a 10-panel, 3.90 kilowatt DC array and the homeowner seeks to add six more panels (2.64 kilowatt DC) to increase generation. The applicant presented photos and aerials showing that most of the added panels would be screened by the roof pitch and trees; the board agreed that the majority of the array would be visually unobtrusive. Several members expressed concern that one panel—north of the chimney—would be visible from the street and asked that it be eliminated or moved farther back on the roof.

The board approved the project with that explicit condition and authorized administrative review of the applicant’s revised final drawings. The chair and a number of board members emphasized support for solar and renewable energy while balancing visual impacts within the historic district.

The applicant said he can return revised plans or submit an administrative resubmittal if the panel is removed or relocated.