542 Vallette St

District: Algiers Point - Full Control

Owner: William Bristol

Rating: Non-Contributing

Applicant: Green Light Solar, LLC

HDLC Guidelines:

Section 5, Page 10 of the Guidelines for Roofing, the City of New Orleans encourages solar collectors for space heating, hot water and electricity. However, in historic districts, property owners are encouraged to locate solar collectors where they are minimally visible or hidden from public view. Solar collectors shall be located as far back from the front of the building wall as possible, and a minimum of 10’-0” from the front building wall. When visible, the HDLC recommends using products and installation methods that allow the panels to blend with their surroundings. Examples include the use of black panels on black mounts, rectangular array configurations and thin film panels installed on standing seam metal roofs. The HDLC requires that solar collectors must be:

• Minimum 10’ from street facing wall

• Minimum 12” from roof eave and ridge

• Rectangular and contiguous arrangement

• Low profile racking system

• Rails do not extend more than 3” past panel

• Minimally visible conduit

• Black racking and frame, low contrast panels

Staff Recommendations:

542 Vallette Street is a two-story new construction residential building completed in 2017. Although located within the block of Vallette Street, the roof is highly visible from the surrounding streets as it is the only two-story building in the area. This visibility creates a situation in which the proposed roof-mounted solar collectors will be visually prominent from Vallette and Evelina Streets. The proposed configuration adheres to the required 10' setback from the front wall. Staff recommends approval of the proposed solar collector locations at the left and right side roof slopes. Staff will work with the applicant to ensure that the layout is contiguous and installed on the appropriate racking system.