District: Faubourg Marigny - Full Control
Owner: Multiple Owners
Rating: Non-Contributing
Applicant: Posigen Developer
Description: Request to install new visually prominent roof-mounted solar panels at a Non-Contributing rated, two-story, single-family residential building.
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 Recommendation:
Street-facing Solar Panels: Denial
Rear-facing Solar Panels: Approval (pending applicant confirmation of vent clearances)
Staff Recommendations:
The applicant is requesting to install new roof-mounted solar collectors to both sides of the existing side-gable roof. The HDLC Guidelines prohibit the installation of solar panels on front, street-facing roof slopes so that the installation does not negatively impact the integrity of the building as seen from the public right of way. While this particular building is Non-Contributing rated, its tall and prominent massing and roof form make both the front and rear roof slopes highly visible along Burgundy Street. Based on this, Staff recommends denial of the request to install panels on the front, street-facing roof slope and recommends approval for the two arrays proposed for the rear elevation with the proviso that the applicant confirm the existing vent stacks can be relocated or will not otherwise conflict with the proposed layout.
View of Front Roof Slope From Burgundy Street
View of Rear Roof Slope From Burgundy Street
HDLC Guidelines:
05: 10 – Guidelines for Roofing