Purpose: This guideline is established to ensure that solar collectors are in compliance with the covenants, blend with their surroundings, do not unduly obstruct views or produce objectionable light reflections on neighboring properties, and are constructed of durable, high-quality materials. This guideline establishes limitations on the location, height, color and finishes of solar collectors and their supporting structures. The use of solar collectors is consistent with the spirit and intent of the Covenants. Technological, cost and retrofit limitations will be considered in the approval of specific projects.  

1.  NEW CONSTRUCTION

a. Every attempt should be made to minimize the adverse visual impact of solar collectors.

b. Solar collectors should be placed so as not to constitute an undue obstruction of views.

c. Solar collectors are considered a "permitted roof mounted devise" as set forth in ACC DESIGN GUIDELINE FOR BUILDING HEIGHT. Every effort, however, should be made to keep height above the roof to a minimum.

d. Solar collectors and support structures shall be composed of durable, high-quality materials.

e. Roof mounted solar collectors should be screened from view as part of the architectural design of the building or integrated and blended into the form of the building so as to present a finished appearance.

f. Ground mounted solar collectors should be located adjacent to, and carefully integrated with the residence, site, and landscape design. Where freestanding wall enclosures are part of the design, solar collectors should be located in an enclosed area.

2. RETROFITING OF EXISTING RESIDENCES

a. The limitations set forth in paragraph 1 above should be considered as design goals wherever they can be accomplished without major reconstruction.

b. Roof mounted solar collectors should be located as far back from the perimeter of flat roofed buildings as practical, so as to maximize the potential for existing parapets to screen them from view from the ground.

c. Roof mounted solar collectors should be mounted as close to and as parallel to the surface of pitched roofs as possible without serious impact upon collector efficiency.

d. Solar collectors should be located close to existing building masses so as to maximize the potential for them to be screened from view, to minimize the obstruction of views, and to provide a harmonious visual background.

          3. COLLECTOR PLACEMENT & ORIENTATION

a. Collector placement and orientation shall give due consideration to both the efficient collection of energy and visual qualities.

b. On a case-by-case basis, rectangular collectors may be required to be placed with their longer sides parallel to the horizontal and with their elevation angle at the minimum practical angle relative to the horizontal.

c. It is noted that relatively small deviations from the optimum orientation of collectors, so as to maximize energy collection, measured in terms of azimuth and elevation angles, have relatively little impact on energy collection. Where visual and view issues are negatively impacted, deviations on the order of up to 20 degrees from the optimum values may be required.
 

4. COLOR – NO WHITE:

a. A Light Reflectance Value of 61 or more is considered to be "white." All parts of solar collectors should have a Light Reflectance Value of 60 or less; generally a "tan" or darker shade.

b. Refer to ACC DESIGN GUIDELINE FOR ROOFING for detailed technical specifications for Light Reflectance Value.

 

          5.  GLOSS – NO HIGHLY REFLECTIVE FINISHES:

a. All parts of solar collectors should have a Gloss of 20 or less; generally a flat, matte, velvet, eggshell, or suede finish.

b. This gloss or sheen selection criteria can be verified by review of the manufacturer’s data or by comparison to the standards maintained by the ACC in the SHHA office.

c. Where the technical specifications of the collector’s active components do not meet the Gloss specification, the lowest gloss available should be used and the location and orientation of the reflective surface should be chosen to minimize objectionable reflections.

d. Refer to ACC DESIGN GUIDELINE FOR ROOFING for detailed technical specifications for Gloss.

6.  DEFINITIONS:

a. Solar Collector: Any of a wide range of devices designed to convert solar radiation into heated gasses or liquids, or electricity.

 b. Photo Voltaic Cells/Arrays: Photovoltaic arrays are considered, in this design guideline, to be solar collectors.