Renewable energy is important to a sustainable future, and it is important that while adapting to renewable energy sources, we are sensitive to historic sites that communities cherish.
Small Scale Solar Panel Installation (Residential/Commercial)
When installing solar panels on a historic property, ensure that it will not negatively impact the historic character of the property and that it meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
General Guidelines:
Locate solar panels so that they are not easily visible from a public right of way.
Panels should not visibly alter the slope of the roof.
Locate panels behind existing architectural features such as parapets, dormers, and chimneys when possible.
Solar panels, mounting systems, and associated mechanicals should be as inconspicuous as possible and be compatible in color to roof materials
Installation of panels must be reversible and not damage historic materials, such as slate or wood roof shingles.
Alternate Siting:
Solar panels can be located on accessory structures. The general guidelines above should be applied.
Free-standing solar arrays can be located on the property in locations that minimize visibility from the public right of way and make use of screening such as vegetation and appropriate fencing. The placement and design should be appropriate to the historic character of the site.
Avoid:
Mounting panels on the front facade of a structure.
Removal of historic roofing materials to accommodate installation.
Altering roof configuration or removing historic features like dormers or chimneys to accommodate solar panels.
Anything that will cause irreversible damage to historic features.
Large Scale Solar Installations
Consider how the siting of a ground-mounted solar installation might affect present or nearby historic and cultural resources. Thoughtful considerations should be given to sense of place where large solar installations are proposed.
Site Selection:
Consider scale of project, proximity, and effect on resources.
Explore options to avoid cultural sites, historic buildings, and archaeologically sensitive areas in cases where quality of place would be diminished.
Large scale solar installations sited in historic viewsheds should not result in significant aesthetic impacts leading to diminishment of public enjoyment and appreciation of an inventoried resource, or one that impairs the character or quality of such a place (DEC Program Policy).
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 & the 1980 NYS Historic Preservation Act, both acknowledge the importance in protecting our heritage. Projects funded, permitted, licensed, or approved by a federal agency are subject to Section 106 review, while at the state level they are subject to Section 14.09.
Mitigate Impact:
Keep components at low profile and/or siting at a lower elevation.
Utilize existing landscapes by naturally screening behind slopes and existing trees or vegetation.
Apply appropriate setbacks, to minimize impact.
Where no natural buffering exists, include vegetation and berms that shield the installation from view.
Consider effects of glare flash and glinting within the setting.
Use fixed systems for least impact. If panels rotate, consider effects from all angles.
Avoid:
Omission of appropriate buffers/screening when installation is within the public viewshed.
Use of visually intrusive accessory infrastructure, that may cause an adverse visual impact on viewshed.
Use of materials incompatible with existing landscape (e.g. chain link fencing, inappropriate buffers).