NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Implementing Solar PV Projects 

on Historic Buildings 

and in Historic Districts 

A. Kandt, E. Hotchkiss, and A. Walker

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

J. Buddenborg and J. Lindberg

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Technical Report

NREL/TP-7A40-51297

September 2011
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 

Efficiency & Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

1617 Cole Boulevard

Golden, Colorado 80401

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Implementing Solar PV Projects 

on Historic Buildings 

and in Historic Districts 

A. Kandt, E. Hotchkiss, and A. Walker

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

J. Buddenborg and J. Lindberg

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Prepared under Task No. SM10.1710

Technical Report 

NREL/TP-7A40-51297

September 2011
NOTICE

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or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, 

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not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any 

agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the 

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iii

Sponsor

This report was made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 

Solar America Communities program. The Solar America Communities program is designed to 

increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the United States. 

Through federal-local partnerships and nationwide outreach, DOE supports local governments’ 

efforts to accelerate adoption of solar energy. To learn more, please visit 

www.solaramericacommunities.energy.gov.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge the National Trust for Historic Preservation, whose staff 

contributed to the development of this report by providing historic preservation expertise. The 

National Trust for Historic Preservation is a national nonprofit that provides leadership, 

education, advocacy, and resources to help people save the places that matter to them. For more 

information, visit www.PreservationNation.org.

Additional Resources 

Detailed notes and minutes from the Implementing Solar Projects on Historic Buildings 

and Districts workshop outlined in this report may be obtained at 

http://solaramericacommunities.energy.gov/solarprojects.aspx. 
iv

List of Acronyms

ACHP Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

AC alternating current

BIPV building-integrated PV

CLG Certified Local Government 

DC direct current

DOE U.S. Department of Energy 

DSIRE Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency 

ECM Energy conservation measures 

ESPC Energy Savings Performance Contract 

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

GHG greenhouse gases 

IMBY In My Backyard tool

kWh kilowatt hour 

kWh/m2

/day kilowatt hours per meter squared per day 

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 

m/s meter per second

NAPC National Alliance of Preservation Commissions 

NATHPO National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

NCD Neighborhood Conservation District 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NCPTT National Center for Preservation Technology and Training 

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 

NPS National Park Service

NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

PACE property assessed clean energy

PPA Power Purchase Agreement 

PV photovoltaic 

SAM System Advisor Model 

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office

THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Office

UESC Utility Energy Services Contract 

Wp Watt-peak
v 

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Historic Preservation ......................................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Historic Preservation Designations and Regulations ...........................................................4

2.2 Incentives for Preserving Historic Properties ......................................................................7

2.3 Resources for Historic Preservation.....................................................................................8

3 Solar Photovoltaics (PV)..................................................................................................................10

3.1 Solar PV Technology Overview ........................................................................................10

3.2 Siting of Solar PV ..............................................................................................................13

3.3 Incentives for Solar PV ......................................................................................................16

3.4 Resources for Assessing Solar PV Potential ......................................................................16

4 Collaboration between Historic Preservation and Solar Disciplines............................................ 18

4.1 Criteria for Success............................................................................................................18

4.1.1 Solar..........................................................................................................................18

4.1.2 Historic Preservation.................................................................................................18

5 Process for Implementation .............................................................................................................. 23

5.1 Step 1: Identify Potential Projects and Stakeholders .........................................................23

5.2 Step 2: Engage Stakeholders ..............................................................................................26

5.3 Step 3: Follow Appropriate Review Requirements ...........................................................27 

5.4 Step 4: Implement Project ..................................................................................................28

5.5 Step 5: Evaluate Effects of Project ....................................................................................28

5.6 Barriers ...............................................................................................................................29

6 Case Study .......................................................................................................................................... 31

7 Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 35 
vi 

List of Figures

Figure 1. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation .................................................. 7

Figure 2. Thin-film solar PV shingles. .......................................................................................... 11

Figure 3. PV system schematic. .................................................................................................... 11

Figure 4. GIS map of U.S. solar resources ................................................................................... 13

Figure 5. National Trust for Historic Preservation guidance in the application of solar panels on 

historic properties ........................................................................................................... 21

Figure 6. Web-based PV performance display. ............................................................................ 29

Figure 7. PV Panels on Denver Capitol ........................................................................................ 31

List of Tables 

Table 1. Typical Efficiencies of Different Types of PV ............................................................... 10

Table 2. Area and Efficiencies Associated with 1 kW of PV of Various PV Module Types ....... 16

Table 3. Local Solar Panel Guidelines in Use across the United States ....................................... 21

Table 4. Public Agencies Responsible for Administering Historic Preservation Regulations, 

Designations, and Incentives Pertinent to Solar PV Installations on Historic Properties 

and in Historic Districts ................................................................................................... 24
1 

1 Introduction

Despite a global recession, the number of photovoltaic (PV) installations in the United States 

grew 30% from 2008 to 20091. A number of trends point toward continued growth of new PV 

installations. The efficiency of solar panels is increasing, while installation costs are going down. 

At the same time, federal, state, and local regulations are requiring that greater amounts of 

energy must come from renewable sources. Incentives for solar power technology 

implementation are being created and regulatory barriers removed. Corporations and 

governments are focusing on solar power to demonstrate leadership in environmental 

sustainability and resource conservation. Architects and builders are including PV arrays as a 

way to meet green building standards and property owners are seeking PV as a way to reduce 

their utility bills, as well as their carbon footprints.

This publication focuses on the implementation of PV systems on historic properties. Many 

private property owners, as well as local, state, and national government entities, are seeking

guidance on how best to integrate solar PV installations on historic buildings. Historic 

preservationists maintain that preserving, reusing, and maintaining historic structures is a key 

sustainable design strategy while also recognizing the importance of accommodating renewable 

energy technologies where they are appropriate. In some cases, however, conflicts have arisen 

over the installation of PV panels on historic properties. 

Addressing these conflicts and providing guidance regarding solutions and best practices is an 

important step toward resolving or eliminating barriers. Historic properties and districts in the 

United States provide tangible connections to the nation’s past. Thousands of buildings, sites, 

districts, structures, and objects have been recognized for their historic and architectural 

significance. Local, state, and national designations of historic properties provide recognition, 

protection, and incentives that help to preserve those properties for future generations. At the 

national level, the National Register of Historic Places includes more than 86,000 listings, which 

encompass a total of more than 1.6 million historic resources. State registers of historic places 

also provide recognition and protection for historic sites and districts. Locally, more than 2,400 

communities have established historic preservation ordinances.2

 Typically implemented through 

zoning overlays, these local land use regulations manage changes to hundreds of thousands of 

historic properties. 

Over a period of 2 years (2007 and 2008) the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designated 25 

major U.S. cities as Solar America Cities. DOE provided financial and technical assistance to 

help the cities develop comprehensive approaches to accelerate the adoption of solar energy 

technologies. The Solar America Cities partnerships represent the foundation of DOE’s larger 

Solar America Communities program. As a part of this program, DOE identified the 

implementation of solar projects on historic properties and in historic districts as one area to 

address. A workshop titled “Implementing Solar Projects on Historic Buildings and in Historic 

Districts” was held in Denver, Colorado, in June of 2010. Participants included representatives 

from the solar industry as well as historic preservationists from nonprofit organizations and 

government agencies at the local, state, and national levels. The workshop provided an 

 

1 www.eia.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/solarphotv/solarpv.pdf. Accessed June 2011. 2 www.nps.gov/nr/. Accessed June 2011.
2 

opportunity to gain a common understanding of solar technologies and historic preservation 

procedures and priorities. The workshop participants also discussed some of the challenges 

involved in locating PV systems on historic properties and identified potential solutions. This 

publication is based on the discussions that occurred at this workshop and the recommendations 

that were developed by participants. 

Ideas expressed by participants in the workshop, and included in this document, do not 

necessarily reflect the opinion of any government council, agency, or entity. 
3 

2 Historic Preservation3

Historic preservation in the United States takes place in both the public and private sectors and at 

local, state, and national levels. Preservation began as a grassroots effort in the mid-1800s to 

save buildings associated with the nation’s founding fathers—such as George Washington’s 

Mount Vernon residence—for future generations to enjoy. Today, historic preservation still 

remains a largely grassroots movement, but has evolved into a multifaceted field. It encompasses 

not only individual buildings, but also a broad array of historic places covering districts, cultural 

landscapes, and archeological sites that represent diverse cultures and socio-economic groups. 

A key set of agencies and organizations administer and advocate for historic preservation within 

the public and private sectors. In the public sector, the National Park Service (NPS) is the 

principal federal agency responsible for preservation programs and activities. The NPS 

administers the National Register of Historic Places, grant programs, and the federal 

rehabilitation tax credit. The NPS has recently published a document titled Illustrated Guidelines 

on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, which details guidelines for 

implementing a variety of sustainability measures on historic buildings, including solar PV.4 

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is the other principal public preservation 

agency at the national level. The ACHP reviews and comments on federal and federally assisted 

and licensed projects that affect properties determined eligible for listing on the National 

Register of Historic Places. 

State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO) provide the resources and programs of the national 

historic preservation program to citizens, communities, and organizations in each of the 50 states 

and territories. Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPO) may assume any or all SHPO 

functions on tribal lands on behalf of a federally recognized tribal community. Local historic 

preservation commissions review projects under local preservation ordinances. Some of these 

local commissions are Certified Local Governments (CLG). CLGs receive support from the NPS 

in partnership with SHPOs. 

In the private sector, the National Trust for Historic Preservation (National Trust) serves as the 

only national nonprofit dedicated to saving historic places. Statewide and local preservation 

nonprofit organizations provide advocacy, technical assistance, and education programs at the 

respective levels. The National Trust’s Main Street programs are found in more than 1,200 

communities nationwide. The programs combine historic preservation and economic 

development to promote downtown and neighborhood revitalization. 

These players work with a defined set of guidelines for the preservation, rehabilitation, 

restoration, and reconstruction of historic properties known as the Secretary of the Interior’s 

Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (Secretary’s Standards), as well as with 

federal, state, and local preservation laws.5

 

 

3 The content for this section was guided by the National Trust’s Basic Preservation publication printed in 2006. 4 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/download/guidelines-sustainability.pdf. Accessed June 2011. 5 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards_guidelines.htm. Accessed June 2011.
4 

2.1 Historic Preservation Designations and Regulations 

Historic and cultural resources that meet a set of criteria for significance may be listed in any of 

three types of registers: the National Register of Historic Places (National Register), a state 

register of historic places, or local register of historic landmarks and districts. Not all significant

historic places have been designated or registered; many properties are eligible for listing but 

have not gone through the designation process yet. 

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) enabled the creation of the National 

Register that is administered by the NPS and implemented by the SHPOs in each state. It is the 

official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation.6 The term “historic property” is 

defined in the NHPA as “any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object 

included in, or eligible for inclusion on the National Register.” As such, historic properties may 

include “artifacts, records, and remains which are related to such districts, sites, buildings, 

structures, or objects.”7

Listing in the National Register provides formal recognition of a property’s historical, 

architectural, or archeological significance and provides opportunities for specific preservation 

incentives, which might include: 

• Federal preservation grants for planning and rehabilitation 

• Federal historic tax credits 

• Preservation easements held by nonprofit organizations or government entities 

• Building code fire and life safety code alternatives

• Possible state tax benefits and grant opportunities.8 

Some states and municipalities have established separate state and local registers of historic 

places in addition to the National Register. State registers closely mirror the National Register in 

the scope of benefits that the listing provides, but from a state perspective. Local registers are 

often guided by local preservation ordinances designed for specific communities and based on 

locally developed criteria. 

Historic properties can be listed in any or all of the aforementioned registers. The type of 

designation is central to the application of preservation guidelines and regulations. When 

undertaking a solar project, owners of designated properties may need to consult a local 

preservation review board or other administrative body, such as the SHPO or THPO, prior to 

installation. 

The NHPA establishes a federal policy for the preservation of cultural and historic resources in 

the United States. In addition to creating the National Register, it created the ACHP, whose 

primary role is to comment on federal undertakings that affect historic properties, as required in 

 

6 www.nps.gov/nr/about.htm

7 National Preservation Act of 1966. (16 U.S.C. Section 470(w)(5)). See www.nps.gov/history/locallaw/nhpa1966.htm. Accessed June 2011. 8 www.nps.gov/history/nr/national_register_fundamentals.htm. Accessed June 2011.
5 

Section 106 of the NHPA. A private owner or a state or local government acting without federal 

involvement has no restrictions placed upon it by Section 106. The regulation only applies to 

federal undertakings involving a property or properties listed in or eligible for listing in the 

National Register. 

SHPOs are key participants in Section 106 processes, as are THPOs, if a project is on tribal land. 

They work closely with the federal agency to identify significant resources, assess the effects of 

the proposed undertaking, and find ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse affects. 

Many states also have their own state Section 106 equivalents in state statutes to provide a level 

of protection to designated historic places that may be adversely affected by projects undertaken 

by state agencies. 

Perhaps most relevant to the implementation of solar PV on historic properties is preservation at 

the local level. Preservation ordinances establish historic preservation commissions that provide 

either an advisory or regulatory role. For instance, a preservation commission may survey and 

designate structures itself or it may only be empowered to recommend designations to the city 

council. Similarly, some commissions have adopted local design guidelines (and, now, 

sustainability guidelines9

) for historic districts and neighborhoods. Design guidelines illustrate 

the elements that define historic character in order to preserve the historic integrity of a 

collective neighborhood or individual property. They may be merely recommendations or they 

may be enforced through design review boards that approve or deny proposed alterations to a 

designated property based on the design review guidelines. Local review processes vary, so it is 

advisable to check with local planning or historic preservation staff to learn more.10

Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCD) are another local planning tool that may be used to 

conserve historic properties. The purpose of an NCD is to ensure the protection of the unique 

character of a neighborhood from threats that would adversely alter that character (such as 

teardowns and commercial encroachment). NCDs differ in methods used, kinds of protection 

available, and level of neighborhood involvement. NCDs may require review and approval for 

any physical changes to a property, such as new construction, building alteration, demolition, 

and set-back changes.11

Lastly, preservation easements can possibly intersect with the installation of solar panels on 

historic properties. Easements are a private property interest conveyed by a property owner to a 

preservation organization or a government entity and require current and future property owners 

to protect the historic character of the property subject to an easement. Preservation easements 

may also protect natural land values as part of a property’s historic setting. Therefore, the impact 

of installing a solar PV array on a building or land covered through the terms of the conservation 

easement would be reviewed by the easement holder. 

 

9 See Noré V. Winter’s publication on “Developing Sustainability Guidelines for Historic Districts” published by the 

National Trust for Historic Preservation and available for purchase at www.PreservationBooks.org. 10 Many historic preservation commissions participate in the CLG Program. Commissions must meet state and 

federal criteria that make them eligible for certain benefits like special grants, training and technical assistance from 

SHPOs and the NPS.

11 Julia Miller, Protecting Older Neighborhoods Through Conservation District Programs. Washington, D.C.: 

National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2004. 1-16.
6 

The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for establishing professional standards and providing 

advice on the preservation and protection of all cultural resources listed in, or eligible for listing 

in, the National Register. The Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitation may be used by anyone 

planning and undertaking work on historic properties and are used by a wide variety of federal, 

state, and local governments and agencies to guide projects involving historic properties. Only 

federal agencies or projects with federal involvement are required to use the Secretary’s 

standards. Some state and local entities have their own guidelines, as mentioned previously, 

often similar to the Secretary’s standards. 

The Secretary’s standards are neither technical nor prescriptive, but are intended to promote 

responsible preservation practices that help protect the nation’s cultural resources. These 

standards outline four treatment approaches: Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and 

Reconstruction.12 They also provide consistency to the preservation of historic materials and 

features of historic properties undergoing one of the treatment approaches. 

Preservation focuses on the maintenance and repair (protection and stabilization) of existing 

historic materials. Rehabilitation is altering or adding to an historic property to meet continuing 

or changing uses, while retaining the property’s historic character. Restoration is depicting a 

property at a particular period of time in its history, while removing evidence of other periods. 

Reconstruction re-creates vanished or non-surviving portions of a property for interpretive 

purposes.13 The treatment most applicable to solar installations is rehabilitation. The Secretary’s 

Standards for Rehabilitation are summarized in Figure 1. 

 

12 Visit the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/ for guidelines on each of the 

four treatments. Accessed June 2011. 13 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards_guidelines.htm. Accessed June 2011. 
7 

Figure 1. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation

Of the ten Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitation, two are particularly relevant to solar PV 

projects:

Standard 2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. 

Standard 9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will 

not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize 

the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and will be 

compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and 

massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. 

2.2 Incentives for Preserving Historic Properties

Preservation is encouraged not only through regulations but also through incentives at the 

federal, state, and local levels. The Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit, the most well-known 

preservation incentive, allows for income-producing properties (industrial, commercial, or 

residential rentals) to earn either a 10% or 20% tax credit on rehabilitation expenses. Certified 

1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal change to 

its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships.

2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive 

materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize a property 

will be avoided.

3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that 

create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements 

from other historic properties, will not be undertaken.

4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained 

and preserved.

5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship 

that characterize a property will be preserved.

6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of 

deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in 

design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be 

substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.

7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means 

possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.

8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be 

disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.

9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, 

features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work shall be 

differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale 

and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.

10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in such a manner that, 

if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment 

would be unimpaired.
8 

historic structures14 are eligible for a 20% credit while noncertified, nonresidential properties 

placed in service before 1936 are eligible for the 10% credit. The rehabilitation work on tax 

credit projects must meet the Secretary’s standards and be approved by the National Park 

Service. 

Owners of historic properties who donate preservation easements to qualified easement holding 

organizations may be eligible for a charitable deduction. The deduction is made to federal 

income taxes for the value of the historic preservation easement. The contribution must meet the 

requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. 

State and local incentives often provide more flexible benefits. For instance, they may be 

available for both income and non-income producing properties and may include an income tax 

deduction, a credit or abatement for rehabilitation, a special assessment for property tax, sales tax 

relief, tax levies, or property tax exemption. SHPOs are able to provide a list of available 

incentives relevant to their respective state. State and local incentive programs generally require 

that a project follow accepted preservations guidelines such as the Secretary’s standards. 

2.3 Resources for Historic Preservation 

Many resources exist for providing information about the historic preservation process. 

• Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP): www.achp.gov 

The ACHP is a principal national partner in the public sector and serves as an 

independent federal agency. The main function of ACHP is to review and comment 

on federal undertakings that affect properties that are listed on or eligible for listing 

on the National Register of Historic Places. 

o Citizen’s Guide to Section 106: www.achp.gov/citizensguide.html

o Section 106 flowchart www.achp.gov/regsflow.html

• National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC): www.uga.edu/napc/ 

The NAPC is devoted to representing the nation’s preservation design review 

commissions. NAPC provides technical support and manages an information network 

to help local commissions accomplish their preservation objectives. The Alliance also 

serves as an advocate at federal, state, and local levels of government to promote 

policies and programs that support preservation commission efforts.15

o “National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Sample Guidelines for Solar 

Panels in Historic Districts” and “Solar Panels in Historic Districts”:

www.uga.edu/napc/programs/napc/publications.htm. 

• National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers: www.nathpo.org/ 

The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers is a national 

nonprofit organization of tribal government officials who implement federal and 

tribal preservation laws. NATHPO’s overarching purpose is to support the 

preservation, maintenance, and revitalization of the culture and traditions of native 

 

14 A certified historic structure is one that is listed individually in the National Register or located in a registered 

historic district and certified by the Secretary of the Interior as being of historical significance to the district.

15 www.uga.edu/napc/. Accessed June 2011.
9 

peoples of the United States.

16 Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) may 

assume any or all SHPO functions on tribal lands on behalf of a federally recognized 

tribal community.

• National Center for Preservation Technology and Training: www.ncptt.nps.gov

The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) is a 

research division of the National Park Service. The NCPTT is using technology to 

serve the future of America’s heritage through applied research and professional 

training. Working in the fields of archeology, architecture, landscape architecture, and 

materials conservation, the National Center accomplishes its mission through 

training, education, research, technology transfer, and partnerships.17

• National Register of Historic Places: www.nps.gov/nr

Many SHPOs have digitized their files and put them online. The depth of information 

available varies from state to state, but ranges from basic location information to 

searchable databases with downloadable narrative descriptions and photos. The 

National Register provides links to these state sites at 

www.nps.gov/nr/shpoinventories.htm. 

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: www.PreservationNation.org

The National Trust for Historic Preservation serves as the only national nonprofit 

dedicated to saving historic places. 

o The National Trust’s Position on Solar Panels can be found at 

http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/sustainability/solar-panels/. 

• State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs): www.ncshpo.org 

SHPOs provide the resources and programs of the national historic preservation 

program to citizens, communities, and organizations in each of the 50 states and 

territories. 

• Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic 

Properties: www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/ 

The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for establishing professional standards and 

providing advice on the preservation and protection of all cultural resources listed in 

or eligible for listing in the National Register. The Secretary’s Standards for 

Rehabilitation may be used by anyone planning and undertaking work on historic 

properties and are used by a wide variety of federal, state, and local governments and 

agencies to guide projects involving historic properties. Only federal agencies or 

projects with federal involvement are required to use the Secretary’s standards. Some 

state and local entities have their own set of guidelines, as mentioned previously, 

often mimicking the Secretary’s standards. 

 

16 www.nathpo.org/. Accessed June 2011. 17 www.ncptt.nps.gov. Accessed June 2011. 
10 

3 Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

Conservation efforts, environmental concerns, and mandates have prompted agencies, 

municipalities, and other entities to consider energy efficient and renewable energy technologies 

at facilities. Energy efficiency improvements, if not already undertaken, should be implemented

prior to installing a PV system. Energy conservation measures, or ECMs, are the most costeffective way to save energy and realize utility bill savings. The return on an investment in PV 

can often be enhanced when the building hosting the system is already energy efficient. 

3.1 Solar PV Technology Overview

Solar energy technologies, such as solar PV, are mature, commercially available renewable 

energy technologies. PV arrays convert sunlight to electricity without moving parts and without 

producing air pollution or greenhouse gases (GHG). They require very little maintenance and 

make no noise. Arrays can be mounted on all types of buildings and structures. PV direct current 

(dc) output can be conditioned into grid-quality alternating current (ac) electricity or used to 

charge batteries. 

Traditional “single crystal” solar cells are made from silicon, are usually flat-plate, and generally 

are the most efficient. “Multi-crystal” are a similar technology, but slightly less efficient. A third 

type of cell technology is called “thin film” because the solar cells are made from amorphous 

silicon or nonsilicon materials such as cadmium telluride. Thin-film solar cells use layers of 

semiconductor materials only a few micrometers thick. See Table 1 for an overview of module 

efficiencies for each type of module.

Table 1. Typical Efficiencies of Different Types of PV

Module 

Efficiencies

Single Crystal 14–19%

Multi-crystal 13–17%

Thin-film 6–11%

Building-integrated PV (BIPV) products may be appropriately suited for applications on historic 

buildings. These technologies can double as rooftop shingles and tiles, building facades, or the 

glazing for skylights.18

Figure 2 shows an example of this technology integrated into shingles. Examples of BIPV

include shingles, single-ply membranes, and standing seam metal roofs. In some cases BIPV can 

add cost and complexity to a project and may not be universally available, but may help enhance 

acceptance of a project on a visible surface. 

 

18 www.nrel.gov/learning/re_photovoltaics.html. Accessed June 2011.
11 

Figure 2. Thin-film solar PV shingles. Photo from United Solar Ovonic, NREL/PIX 13572

Most systems installed today are in flat-plate configurations that are typically made from solar 

cells combined into modules that hold about 40 cells. A typical home will use about 10 to 20 

solar panels to power the home. Many solar panels combined together to create one system is 

called a solar array. For large electric utility or industrial applications, hundreds of solar arrays 

are interconnected to form a large utility-scale PV system.19 These systems are generally fixed in 

a single position, but can be mounted on structures that tilt toward the sun on a seasonal basis or 

on structures that roll east to west over the course of a day.20 Figure 3 shows the components of a 

typical PV system.

Figure 3. PV system schematic. Illustration by Jim Leyshon, NREL

The cost of PV-generated electricity has dropped 15- to 20-fold in the last 40 years. Gridconnected PV systems sell for between 20¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh) and 32¢/kWh in 2011, or 

about $5 per Watt-peak (Wp) to $8/Wp, including support structures and power conditioning 

equipment. Watt-peak is the power rating that a PV system measures under standard test 

conditions, and under which a panel could be expected to deliver its peak output. A National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study of 7,074 PV systems installed in 2007 reported a 

range of total capital costs averaging $8.32/Wp for small systems less than 10 kW and $6.87/Wp 

 

19 www.nrel.gov/learning/re_photovoltaics.html. Accessed June 2011. 20 DOD RE Replication Pilot ESPC
12 

for large systems greater than 100 kW. Costs reported for PV projects are decreasing rapidly, so 

a local solar installer may be the best source of current cost information. Operation and 

maintenance costs are reported at $0.008/kWh produced, or at 0.17% of capital cost without 

tracking and 0.35% with tracking.21 They are very reliable and last 20 years or longer.22 

A variety of financing mechanisms exist to help consumers overcome the significant upfront 

costs associated with the installation of PV systems. Third-party financing, in which an entity 

finances, owns, and operates the system, is a mechanism for installing a PV system for little or 

no capital and is most often utilized for commercial- or utility-scale systems. These mechanisms 

include: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), 

and Utility Energy Services Contracts (UESCs).23 Mechanisms that can be used for residentialscale systems include home equity loans, solar leases, property assessed clean energy (PACE)24

financing, or group purchases.25

The amount of electricity that a system produces depends on the system type, orientation, and the 

available solar resource. The solar resource is the amount of the sun’s energy reaching the earth’s 

surface, which varies across the United States. A higher solar resource means that more of the 

sun’s energy is reaching the surface, which is optimal for PV system performance. The solar 

resource map in Figure 4 details the available solar resource throughout the country in kilowatt 

hours per meter squared per day (kWh/m2/day). Resources are highest in the Southwest, and 

fairly high throughout the Western states, Texas, and Florida. 

 

21 Mortensen, J. Factors Associated with Photovoltaic System Costs. NREL/TP 620.29649. June 2001; p. 3. 22 Guey-Lee, L. Forces Behind Wind Power. February 2001. 23 www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/financing/mechanisms.html. Accessed June 2011 24 As of September 2010, most residential PACE programs in the country were on hold given guidance from the 

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) related to the seniority of a PACE lien vis-à-vis existing mortgage loans. 

Refer to VoteSolar (www.votesolar.org) for periodic updates on PACE. 25 www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/48969.pdf. Accessed June 2011. 
13 

Figure 4. GIS map of U.S. solar resources 

Referring to Figure 4, a properly oriented and unshaded PV panel in Washington state west of 

the Cascade Mountains may be expected to deliver its rated capacity for about 3.4 hours per day, 

while one in the desert in Daggett, California, may deliver its capacity 6.6 hours per day. A 

typical house uses about 25 kWh/day. Considering losses in the PV system, this could be 

supplied by a system of about 6.5 kW which would occupy about 500 ft2 of roof area. 

3.2 Siting of Solar PV

There are typically three scales of solar installations: utility-scale, commercial, and residential. 

Although this publication focuses on residential-scale solar installations, it is useful to 

understand the other types of locations. 

• Utility-scale installations are very large arrays located on open lands, providing 

power for hundreds or even thousands of homes and businesses. 

• Commercial systems are smaller and may provide power for multiple or single 

commercial or municipal buildings on campuses, in complexes, neighborhoods, or 

other special districts.

o A subset of commercial systems is “solar gardens.” These systems are still 

relatively rare and may be limited in scope (or even prohibited) by state 

regulations. However, some states have recently passed legislation to facilitate the 

use of commercial-scale solar arrays or solar gardens. Commercial-scale systems 

offer potential advantages for locating solar PV in historic districts and campuses. 

Rather than attempting to find appropriate locations for solar panels on individual 

historic structures, a commercial-scale system might be located in a less visible or 
14 

impactful location, such as above a parking structure or on an open lot. Power can 

be lost in transmission from these arrays to the end use location, however, so 

distances need to be minimized. 

• Residential-scale photovoltaic systems produce power for use on a single property. 

This type of installation is the focus of this publication. 

The major challenge for siting solar PV technologies on historic buildings is appropriate siting 

for maximum electricity production. An ideal solar installation would be situated in an unshaded, 

south-facing location with an optimum tilt angle, and would supply electricity to a site where 

there is a demand for the electricity being produced. Not all sites are suitable for solar 

technologies. There are a few rules of thumb that are helpful in determining when solar 

technologies are appropriate for a site. 

• It is important to identify an unshaded area for solar PV installation, particularly 

between the peak sun hours of 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Shade will reduce the output of a solar 

panel. Shade can be caused by trees, nearby buildings, and roof equipment or features 

(such as chimneys). 

• It is best to orient fixed-mount panels due south in the northern hemisphere. Siting 

panels so that they face east or west of due south will decrease efficiency. However, 

that effect varies by location, and could be minimal. 

In the area of Boulder, Colorado, for example, the losses due to orientation are about 

4% for a panel facing 45 degrees east of south and about 10% for one facing 45 

degrees west of south (due to the mountains to the west). There is no loss of 

efficiency for a system facing due south.26 While an orientation east or west of south 

is not ideal because of the resulting reduction in efficiency, it may be necessary due to 

the roof or building configuration. 

• The optimal tilt angle for achieving the highest performance from a fixed-mount PV 

panel is equal to the latitude of a location, for locations in latitudes less than 20o. At 

higher latitudes, the correlation is not valid. Christensen and Barker (2001) analyzed 

the annual solar resource data for different latitudes.27 At a location of 40° north 

latitude, an optimal tilt varies from 30° to 35° to maximize the annual energy 

production. 

Fixed-mount solar panels can be flush- or tilt-mounted on roofs, pole-mounted on the 

ground, or can be integrated into building materials, such as into roofs, windows, and 

awnings. However, a tilt angle equal to latitude is not always feasible because of 

factors such as roof pitch, wind, or snow loading considerations. It is possible to 

install panels at a different angle. The impact of a non-ideal tilt angle varies by 

location, and could be minimal. 

 

26 Analysis in PVWATTS. Assuming: location = Boulder, CO; tilt=latitude (40 deg); DC to AC derate factor =0.77. 27 Christensen, C.; Barker, G. (2001). “Effects of Tilt and Azimuth on Annual Incident Solar Radiation for United 

States Locations.” Presented at 2001 Solar Energy Forum, Washington, D.C. 
15 

In Colorado, for example, the losses due to tilting a panel 10o greater than latitude are 

2%, and tilting 10o less than latitude are 1%. There is no loss of efficiency for a 

system oriented at latitude.28

• The size and nature of an electric load must be well understood to properly select and 

size a PV system. PV systems can be designed to provide power simultaneously with 

the utility (grid-connected); independent of the utility (stand-alone, with batteries); or 

do either (dual mode). The systems can be designed to power any percentage of an 

electric load, from a very small percentage to more than 100% of the load depending 

on available area for the panels, availability of the sun, and what is allowed by utility 

policy. When considering a system that will be tied to the utility grid (gridconnected), it is essential to understand the applicable net metering rules and 

interconnection standards for the serving electric utility company. 

For electric customers who generate their own electricity, net metering allows for the 

flow of electricity both to and from the customer, typically through a single, bidirectional meter. When a customer’s generation exceeds the customer’s usage, 

electricity flows back onto the grid. This effectively offsets electricity consumed by 

the customer at a different time during the same billing cycle or is carried over as a 

credit on future billing cycles. Many state rules allow a credit to be carried for 12 

months, with a resulting electricity credit resulting in either a check to the customer 

or a forfeiture of the value of the excess electricity produced at the end of the 12-

month period. Net metering is required by law in most U.S. states, but these policies 

vary widely.29 Some net metering programs reimburse customers for excess 

generation at the wholesale rate, while others reimburse at the retail value. Some 

policies specify a limit on the capacity of PV systems that can participate in the net 

metering program. 

Interconnection standards specify the technical and procedural process by which a 

customer connects a PV system to the grid. Such standards include the technical and 

contractual arrangements by which system owners and utilities must abide. State 

public utilities’ commissions typically establish standards for interconnection to the 

distribution grid. However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has 

adopted interconnection standards for small generators interconnected to the 

distribution system that sell power to the wholesale market. Additionally, FERC has 

adopted standards for interconnection to the transmission level. Many states have 

adopted interconnection standards, but some states’ standards apply only to investorowned utilities—not to municipal utilities or electric cooperatives. Several states have 

adopted interconnection guidelines, which are not mandatory and generally apply 

only to net-metered systems.30

• Because PV modules have different efficiencies, it is important to consider the 

efficiency versus the available or required area of the PV system. Fewer modules 

 

28 Analysis in PVWATTS. Assuming: location = Boulder, CO; orientation = 180 deg (south); DC to AC derate 

factor =0.77. 

29 www.dsireusa.org/glossary/. Accessed June 2011. 30 www.dsireusa.org/glossary/. Accessed June 2011.
16 

made of a higher efficiency cell (such as single crystalline) would be needed for 

approximately the same power output as more modules made of a lower efficiency 

cell (such as thin film). Therefore, if a project location is space-constrained, then a 

higher efficiency, and potentially higher cost, module may make the most sense. 

However, if a project has an abundance of space, then a lower efficiency, less costly 

module may be most practical. 

Table 2. Area and Efficiencies Associated with 1 kW of PV of Various PV Module Types

Type of Module Efficiency of Module Area of System 

Single Crystal 19.3% 55 ft2

Multi-crystalline 15% 71 ft2

Thin-film 9.5% 99 ft2

The efficiencies listed in Table 2 represent the fraction of incident solar radiation converted to 

electricity. These values are established by testing under standard rating conditions of 1000 

W/m2 sun, 25°C temperature, and 1 meter per second (m/s) wind speed. 

3.3 Incentives for Solar PV

Financial incentives offered by the federal government and state governments, local utilities and 

municipalities, and private organizations have a great effect on renewable energy project 

economics, including solar PV. These incentives should be taken into account at all of the 

planning and feasibility stages. Potential incentives could include rebates, loans, tax incentives, 

grants, industry recruitment/support, bond programs, green building incentives, leasing/lease 

purchase programs, and performance-based incentives. The Database of State Incentives for 

Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) website provides a listing of all applicable incentives for 

each potential project location.31 

3.4 Resources for Assessing Solar PV Potential

Many tools exist to help assess the technical and economic potential for solar PV at a specific 

location. These free tools can be used as a preliminary estimate of project potential by a property 

owner or project developer. However, a detailed feasibility study should be performed prior to 

ruling out or committing to a project. 

• PVWattsTM: rredc.nrel.gov/solar/calculators/PVWATTS/version1/

The PVWattsTM calculator determines the energy production and cost savings of gridconnected PV energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, installers, 

manufacturers, and researchers to easily develop estimates of the performance of 

hypothetical PV installations. 

The PVWatts calculator works by creating hour-by-hour performance simulations 

that provide estimated monthly and annual energy production in kilowatts and energy 

value. Users can select a location and choose to use default values or their own 

system parameters for size, electric cost, array type, tilt angle, and azimuth angle. In 

 

31 www.dsireusa.org. Accessed June 2011.
17 

addition, the PVWatts calculator can provide hourly performance data for the selected 

location.32

• IMBY: www.nrel.gov/eis/imby/

In My Backyard (IMBY) estimates the amount of electricity that can be produced 

with a solar photovoltaic (PV) array or wind turbine at a home or business. 

Homeowners, businesses, and researchers use IMBY to develop quick estimates of 

renewable energy production at locations throughout the continental United States, 

Hawaii, and northern Mexico.

IMBY uses a map-based interface to allow users to choose the exact location of a PV 

array or wind turbine. Based on the location, system size, and other variables, IMBY 

estimates the electricity production one can expect from a system.33

• SAM: www.nrel.gov/analysis/sam/

The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a performance and economic model designed to 

facilitate decision making for people involved in the renewable energy industry, 

ranging from project managers and engineers to incentive program designers, 

technology developers, and researchers.

SAM makes performance predictions for grid-connected solar, small wind, and 

geothermal power systems and economic estimates for distributed energy and central 

generation projects. The model calculates the cost of generating electricity based on 

information provided about a project’s location, installation and operating costs, type 

of financing, applicable tax credits and incentives, and system specifications. SAM 

also calculates the value of saved energy from a domestic solar water heating 

system.34

• DSIRE: www.dsireusa.org 

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) is a 

comprehensive site for incentives and policies relating to energy efficiency and 

renewable energy. The information provided covers federal, state, local, and utility 

incentives. DSIRE is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and is updated by the 

North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council on a 

quarterly basis. Solar project planners should refer to DSIRE to determine ways in 

which to improve the cost effectiveness of the project.

 

32 rredc.nrel.gov/solar/calculators/PVWATTS/version1/. Accessed June 2011. 33 www.nrel.gov/eis/imby/. Accessed June 2011. 34 www.nrel.gov/analysis/sam/. Accessed June 2011.
18 

4 Collaboration between Historic Preservation and Solar 

Disciplines

Collaboration between the historic preservation community and the solar discipline is imperative

given the growing prominence of sustainable operations and the large number of buildings and 

districts designated, or that qualify to be designated, as historically significant. Criteria for 

successful identification and installation of solar PV are necessary, as is consideration of the 

technical, cultural, and institutional values that exist.

4.1 Criteria for Success

Each project and solar installation is unique. It is important to establish and understand the 

required levels of review and permitting at the very beginning of a project, as well as the 

expected savings and efficiencies of an installed system. There is no one single technical solution 

that will work in all applications. Therefore, defining an effective process for identification and 

installation is necessary. The criteria for successful projects can be broken into two different 

categories: a) solar and b) historic preservation. Successful solar projects establish criteria related 

to performance and economics. Historic preservation criteria are in the form of impacts to the 

character of an historic property.

4.1.1 Solar

Criteria for a successful solar project are predominantly driven by PV system performance and 

economics, both of which are largely dependent on project siting and location. A detailed 

overview of these considerations is provided in section 3.2. 

• Performance

The performance of a PV system is dependent on the type of technology selected as 

well as site characteristics, such as the available solar resource, impact of shade, and 

orientation and tilt angle. A detailed overview of these considerations is provided in 

section 3.2. 

• Economics 

The economic feasibility of a project is dependent on the performance of the PV 

system; cost factors, such as the cost of avoided electricity, initial system cost, 

operating and maintenance (O&M) costs, availability of incentives; and other 

economic factors, such as discount rate and fuel escalation rate. 

4.1.2 Historic Preservation

Criteria for a successful historic preservation project are largely driven by the impacts to the 

historic character of a historic property or district. There is the need to balance these impacts 

with the economics and energy savings of a given project. 

• Impacts

The various guidelines, such as the Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitation and local 

design guidelines, help define the appropriate treatments for historic preservation, 

rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction. Based on feedback and dialogue during 

the June 2010 workshop, and based on the definitions of the four treatments, 

rehabilitation is generally the most appropriate approach for integrating solar projects 

onto historic buildings or into historic districts. In general, this is the most widely 
19 

used preservation approach: “Of the four treatments, only rehabilitation includes an 

opportunity to make possible an efficient contemporary use through alterations and 

additions.”35 Rehabilitation is defined as, “altering or adding to a historic property to 

meet continuing or changing uses while retaining the property’s historic character.”36 

Working with preservation professionals to identify the character-defining features 

and the potential location for a PV system is an important early step in the process to 

ensure that the system does not negatively impact these features.37 Professional 

preservationists, preservation agencies, and preservation organizations are the best 

references in determining the character of a historic property. In some cases, local 

design guidelines will be in place to provide a set of guidelines for identifying 

character-defining features. The property owner would work with the local 

preservation commission to determine the effects of the PV system on the historic 

site.

It is helpful to reference NPS’s guidance for “energy efficiency/accessibility 

considerations/health and safety code considerations.” 38 This guidance provides 

information on retrofitting measures to improve energy efficiency. It states:

Although this work is quite often an important aspect of rehabilitation

projects, it is usually not a part of the overall process of protecting or 

repairing character-defining features; rather, such work is assessed for 

its potential negative impact on the building’s historic character. For 

this reason, particular care must be taken not to radically change, 

obscure, damage, or destroy character-defining materials or features in 

the process of meeting code and energy requirements.39

It is also important to note that NPS’s guidance recommends retaining plant 

materials, trees, and landscape features that perform passive solar energy functions 

such as sun shading and wind breaks. This is generally in line with common practice 

in the solar industry, which most often does not advocate removing these items in an 

effort to improve solar access.40 

The project team should encourage outcomes that meet solar criteria while 

maintaining the integrity of historic resources. This involves minimizing the visual 

effects of solar panels and maximizing the preservation of historic features, materials, 

and spatial relationships. The National Trust provides the following guidance in the 

application of solar panels on historic properties. 

 

35 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/rehab/rehab_approach.htm. Accessed June 2011. 36 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards_guidelines.htm. Guidance on identifying, retaining, and preserving 

character-defining features can be found on the NPS’s web feature called “Walk through Historic Buildings:” See 

www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/walkthrough/. Accessed June 2011. 37 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/rehab/rehab_energyeff.htm. Accessed June 2011. 38 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/rehab/rehab_approach.htm. Accessed June 2011. 39 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/rehab/rehab_approach.htm. Accessed June 2011. 40 www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/rehab/rehab_energyeff.htm. Accessed June 2011.
20 

1. Locate solar panels on the site of a historic resource. If possible, use a 

ground-mounted solar panel array. Consider solutions that respect the building’s 

historic setting, locating the solar panel arrays in an inconspicuous location, such 

as a rear or side yard, low to the ground and sensitively screened to further limit 

visibility.

2. Locate solar panels on new construction. In cases where new buildings or 

new additions to historic buildings are proposed and approvable, encourage the 

placement of solar panels on the new construction. To achieve overall 

compatibility with the historic building and its setting, consider solutions that 

integrate the solar panel system in less visible areas of the new design.

3. Locate solar panels on non-historic buildings and additions. If the site 

cannot accommodate solar panels, and the project does not include new 

construction, consider placing solar panels on an existing, non-historic addition 

or accessory structure, thereby minimizing the impact of the solar installation on 

the significant features of the historic resource as well as specifically 

protecting historic fabric against alteration.

4. Place solar panels in areas that minimize their visibility from a public 

thoroughfare. The primary façade of a historic building is often the most 

architecturally distinctive and publicly-visible, and thus the most significant and 

character-defining. To the greatest extent possible, avoid placing solar panels on 

street-facing walls or roofs, including those facing side streets. Installations 

below and behind parapet walls and dormers, or on rear-facing roofs, are 

often good choices.

5. Avoid installations that would result in the permanent loss of significant, 

character-defining features of historic resources. Solar panels should not 

require alterations to significant or character-defining features of a historic 

resource, such as altering existing roof lines or dormers. Avoid installations that 

obstruct views of significant architectural features, such as overlaying windows or 

decorative detailing, or intruding on views of neighboring historic properties in an 

historic district.

6. Avoid solutions that would require or result in the removal or permanent 

alteration of historic fabric. Solar panel installations should be reversible. Use 

of solar roof tiles, laminates, glazing and other technologies that require the 

removal of historic fabric or would permanently damage such fabric must be 

avoided. Consider the type and condition of the material upon which installation 

is proposed as well as the method of installation and removal down the road. For 

example, metal and slate roofs may be able to accommodate solar panels better 

than other types of materials. It may also be possible, through the use of 

brackets, to minimize the points of attachment to a structure.

7. Require low profiles. Solar panels should be flush or mounted no higher than a 

few inches above the roofing surface and should not be visible above the roofline 

of a primary façade. 

8. On flat roofs, set solar panels back from the edge. Flat roofs often provide an 

ideal surface for solar arrays. To minimize visibility, ensure that the panels are 

set back from the edge and adjust the angle and height of the panels as 

necessary.
21 

9. Avoid disjointed and multi-roof solutions. Panels should be set at angles 

consistent with the slope of the supporting roof. For example, avoid solutions that 

would set panels at 70 degree angles when the roof slopes at a 45 degree angle. 

In addition, panels should be located on a single roof and arranged in a pattern 

that matches the configuration of the roof upon which they are mounted. 

10.Ensure that solar panels, support structures and conduits blend into the 

resource. The visibility of solar panels and support structures can be 

substantially reduced if the color matches the historic resource and reflectivity is 

minimized.

Figure 5. National Trust for Historic Preservation guidance in the

application of solar panels on historic properties41

According to the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC), there are a handful of 

local jurisdictions that have adopted detailed application review guidelines for the installation of 

solar panels in historic districts.42 The National Trust for Historic Preservation collected 

examples of municipalities and their solar guidelines relating to historic properties as a 

component to a policy guide: Practical Approaches to Installing Solar Technology on Historic 

Properties. See Table 3 for a summary of guidelines used across the United States.

43

Table 3. Local Solar Panel Guidelines in Use across the United States44

Jurisdiction Description Contact Information

Alexandria, 

Virginia

Alexandria provides guidance on the use of solar 

collectors as part of its Design Guidelines for the 

Old and Historic Alexandria District and the Parker 

Gray District, adopted in 1993. 

Planning and Zoning Department

City of Alexandria

301 King Street, Rm. 2100

Alexandria, VA 22314

Tel: 703-746-3833

Website: www.alexandriava.gov

Boulder, 

Colorado

Along with developing a “Green Points System” for 

new development projects, Boulder has adopted 

guidelines on using solar collectors and improving 

overall energy efficiency as part of its Design 

Guidelines for Historic Districts and Landmarks. 

See § 3.1 and 8.3.4. It has also prepared a 

“Historic Building Energy Efficiency Guide.” 

Planning & Development Services/

Long Range Planning

City of Boulder

1739 Broadway

Boulder, CO 80302

Tel: 706-542-4731

Website: 

www.bouldercolorado.gov

 

41 National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Practical Approaches to Installing Solar Technology on Historic 

Properties.” 2011.

42 The Alliance Review, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. Athens, GA. “Going Green: Solar Panels 

in Historic Districts.” March/April 2008. 43 National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Practical Approaches to Installing Solar Technology on Historic 

Properties.” 2011.

44 Ibid.
22 

Breckenridge, 

Colorado

The town has developed a “Solar Panel Policy” for 

projects on structures located in its conservation 

district (which includes the historic district). As of 

January 1, 2009, all development projects in 

Breckenridge must comply with its sustainable 

building code.

Community Development 

Department

Town of Breckenridge

150 Ski Hill Road

Breckenridge, CO 80424

Tel: 970-453-3160

Website:

www.townofbreckenridge.com

Eureka 

Springs, 

Arkansas

Eureka Springs proactively developed guidelines to 

achieve both the goal of historic preservation and 

energy conservation. These guidelines are meant 

to ensure that one goal is not achieved at the 

expense of the other.

City of Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs City Hall

44 S. Main 

Eureka Springs, AR 72632 

Tel: 479-253-9703

Website:

www.cityofeurekasprings.org

Grand 

Rapids, 

Michigan

The city’s preservation commission takes into 

consideration five factors in evaluating solar panel 

installation, including the structure’s historic 

character and architectural importance, the 

purpose of the installation, alternative means to 

conserve energy, visibility from adjacent public 

streets and adjoining properties, and the project’s 

design and compatibility with the structure. 

Grand Rapids Historic 

Preservation Commission

City of Grand Rapids

1120 Monroe Ave., N.W.

2nd Floor

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Tel: 616-456-3451 

Website: www.grand-rapids.mi.us

Howard 

County, 

Maryland

Howard County has developed guidelines on the 

use of solar panels in historic districts in an effort to 

achieve balance between historic preservation and 

energy conservation measures. Titled “Use of 

Solar Panels and Other Solar Devices in Historic 

Districts,” the guidelines identify both 

recommended and discouraged actions.

Howard County Department of 

Planning and Zoning

3430 Court House Drive

Ellicott City, MD 21043

Tel: 410-313-4428

Website: 

www.howardcountymd.gov

Montgomery 

County, 

Maryland

The county’s preservation commission includes 

design guidelines for the installation of solar panels 

in its design guidelines. While solar panels are 

permissible, they must be located “in unobtrusive 

places,” with preference given to locations away 

from the public view and on the grounds of the 

resource, new construction, and secondary 

resources. 

Montgomery County Historic 

Preservation Office

Montgomery County Planning 

Department

8787 Georgia Ave.

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Tel: 301-563-3400

Website:

www.montgomeryplanning.org
23 

Ypsilanti, 

Michigan

The Ypsilanti Historic Preservation Commission 

has developed a number of fact sheets, including 

one on alternative energy systems. This fact sheet 

provides guidance on the installation of solar 

power systems based on the Secretary of the 

Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Planning and Development 

Department

City of Ypsilanti

City Hall, 4th Floor

One South Huron

Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Tel: 734-483-9646

Website: www.cityofypsilanti.com

5 Process for Implementation

The steps, challenges, and solutions associated with the process for implementing solar PV

projects on historic buildings and in historic districts were identified during the aforementioned 

workshop held in June 2010. Through large and small group discussions at the workshop, a 

process was devised for the successful implementation of solar PV projects. 

The steps identified in this process are:

Each step in the process is outlined below in the following steps. 

5.1 Step 1: Identify Potential Projects and Stakeholders

When considering PV on a historic building or in a historic district, it is essential to identify 

relevant stakeholders and potential project locations. 

Identifying Stakeholders

An initial step is to determine whether the property has been designated as historic at the local, 

state, or national level. The designation of a property will determine which set of stakeholders to 

engage. Projects will have a greater chance of success with abundant stakeholder contributions 

and advance logistical and technical considerations. 

 •Identify potential projects and stakeholders

 •Engage stakeholders

 •Follow appropriate review requirements

•Implement projects

•Evaluate impact of completed project.
24 

Early identification and engagement of all relevant stakeholders are large determinants of project 

success. Stakeholders may include facilities engineers and solar installation companies that can 

assist with the implementation of the project. Easement holders and private and commercial 

property owners are also important due to their control over the property or land where 

installations might be possible. Others include federal, state, and local governments that may 

have funding and renewable energy targets that need to be met, as well as financiers with 

knowledge of rebates, grants, third-party financing, and tax credits. For projects that receive 

federal funding, Section 106 review of that project is required. Programs may currently exist for 

funding opportunities that will dictate specific criteria of projects. For example, a federally 

funded grant project may require that a certain percentage of the funding be contributed by the 

state in which the installation is occurring. Therefore, reviewing the criteria related to these 

programs and engaging the relevant stakeholders is important. With all historic projects, it is 

important to engage the relevant governmental agencies, such as SHPOs, THPOs, and local 

preservation commissions, at an early stage to ensure that requirements for historic preservation 

are being met. Table 4 provides an overview of the leading public agencies responsible for 

implementing the historic preservation regulations, designations, and incentives relevant to solar 

PV applications on historic buildings and in historic districts. 

Table 4. Public Agencies Responsible for Administering Historic Preservation Regulations, 

Designations, and Incentives Pertinent to Solar PV Installations 

on Historic Properties and in Historic Districts 

National 

Park 

Service 

Advisory 

Council on 

Historic 

Preservation 

Tribal Historic 

Preservation 

Office 

State Historic 

Preservation 

Office 

Certified Local 

Government/ 

Historic 

Preservation 

Commission 

Regulations 

Section 106 of 

the NHPA X X X 

State 

Preservation 

Law X X 

Local 

Preservation 

Ordinance X 

Designations 

National 

Register of 

Historic Places 

X X X 

State Register 

of Historic 

Places 

X 

Local 

Landmark 

X 

 
25 

Incentives 

Federal 

Rehabilitation 

Tax Credit 

X X X X* 

State 

Rehabilitation 

Incentives 

X X* 

Local 

Rehabilitation 

Incentives 

X 

* Some responsibilities may be delegated to the local commission or planning office. 

 
26 

Identifying Projects

The identification of potential projects ideally begins with an initial goal-setting exercise. 

Determining, with appropriate stakeholders, what the motivations for and goals of the project are 

will help define and drive the project development throughout the entire implementation process. 

For example, goals could be related to municipality energy reduction or renewable energy use 

goals, building or neighborhood LEED certification requirements, or building owner and tenant 

motivations. Project identification may include an analysis of building stock to determine which 

buildings have the most feasibility for PV, an assessment of the potential impact to the characterdefining features, consideration of electricity costs or good PV incentives, and an understanding 

of to-date energy efficiency measure implementation. 

A detailed overview of PV siting considerations is provided in section 3.2. High costs of energy 

combined with the incentives and rebates for solar installations and historic building 

rehabilitations, along with legislation and the need for energy security, are all drivers for 

considering installation of solar projects on historic properties. Solutions other than the roof of a 

historic structure should also be considered, such as a carport over a parking area or a ground 

mounted array elsewhere on the property. There will be times when it is not possible to roofmount a PV system on a historic building without negatively impacting its character-defining 

features, so one of these out-lying locations may be a viable alternative. 

Siting PV may not be limited to locating solar on a single site or structure. There is potential for 

“district solar” and/or more distant solar locations than the site allows. District solar could make 

sense in some historic district situations, where grouping panels on a large institutional rooftop, 

open field or over a parking lot might be preferred; or a historic campus where locating PV in a 

hidden area could be a better solution than placing all the systems on visible rooftops. Lamar 

Buffalo Ranch in Yellowstone National Park is an example where the PV was placed away from 

the cluster of historic cabins. It should be noted that there are technical issues related to distance, 

as well as legal and regulatory issues when more than one property is involved. 

5.2 Step 2: Engage Stakeholders

Stakeholders are those with a compelling or regulatory stake in the completed project. After 

project stakeholders have been identified, it is important to engage them to ensure requirements 

of historic preservation are met, resources are fully utilized, and more informed decisions are 

made. This will ultimately increase the likelihood of project success. The process for engaging 

stakeholders depends on the location and scale of the project. Different stakeholders will be 

involved in different phases of the process. 

The project goals, type, and financing mechanism dictate the type of people who should be 

involved as stakeholders. For example, Section 106 of the NHPA will define the level of federal 

involvement on a project; however, state and local governments may have separate processes.

Although not an exhaustive list, stakeholders may include the following:

• Adjacent property owners 

• Technical assistance providers such as National Trust for Historic Preservation

• Local preservation commissions 
27 

• U.S. Green Building Council 

• State historic preservation officers (SHPOs)

• Tribal historic preservation officers (THPOs)

• Tribal government and stakeholders 

• Public recipients of grants or funding 

• Planners 

• Contractors

• Engineers 

• Property owners 

• Federal agencies

• Non-profit preservation and environmental groups 

• Local government. 

Entities in the construction process prior to completion, such as the manufacturers, contractors, 

and others with a vested interest in the promotion of or the sale and installation of the solar PV 

products, may be consulted for technical information relevant to the discussion, but not labeled 

as stakeholders. Members of the Association for Preservation Technology, for example, may 

consult and be paid for their professional involvement and review, but would be acting as 

individuals, not the association, and would be considered consultants rather than stakeholders. 

The process of engaging various entities could be partially stipulated by legal requirements or 

local code. The process of engagement could be done through third-party advocates, public 

notices, statutes and mandates, internet announcements, conferences, workshops, awards, 

newsletters, solar advertisements, funding announcements, or public hearings. 

By exploring all avenues available and considering various entities, a project will most likely be 

more successful as it will have the contributions of a number of stakeholders. 

5.3 Step 3: Follow Appropriate Review Requirements

Introduced in section 2.1, the historic preservation review process for solar installations varies

according to the type of designation for the property and whether the installation involves a 

government agency or government property. 

• Locally designated properties. Historic properties may be identified and protected 

through a local historic preservation or landmark preservation ordinance. Most 

ordinances provide for the designation of both individual properties and historic 

districts. Historic districts generally include both “contributing” and “noncontributing” properties. Contributing properties are those that retain their historic 

integrity and contribute to the overall significance of the district. Design standards or 

guidelines may be in place for both contributing and non-contributing properties in 

local historic districts.
28 

• State register listed properties. State registers include both individual properties and 

historic districts. State review processes vary greatly, so it is important to contact the 

SHPO for guidance regarding the review process in each state.

• National register listed properties. The National Register of Historic Places 

includes both individually listed properties and historic districts. As noted above, 

properties that are determined eligible for listing receive the same federal review as 

those that are listed. Contact the SHPO for information regarding National Register 

listed properties or determinations of eligibility. If a federal agency is involved in a 

project affecting a national register listed or eligible property, it must go through 

Section 106 review.

Other review processes may also be required. State and federal environmental protection 

processes should be examined. Some historic properties are protected by preservation or 

conservation easements. The easement holding entity should be involved in the solar installation 

from the earliest phase. 

Requirements may be relevant to Section 106 (federal and state equivalent), National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), local zoning and ordinances, local and national code 

requirements, electrical codes, structural integrity of properties, federal, state and local 

environmental goals, Secretary’s Standards, setback codes, or Leadership in Energy and 

Environmental Design (LEED) requirements in certain cities (such as Boston). There may also 

be requirements to meet for funding mechanisms such as grants or incentives or third-party

financing agreements (such as an Energy Savings Performance Contract [ESPC], Utility Energy 

Services Contract [UESC], or Power Purchase Agreement [PPA]). 

If requirements are not observed, lawsuits may be actioned and responsible parties may be fined 

or issued stop work orders or citations. All of these consequences are costly, both in terms of 

money and time. It is essential to research requirements of all mandates, statutes, codes, and 

funding options before beginning work on a solar project on historic properties or in historic 

districts. 

5.4 Step 4: Implement Project

The project is ready to be implemented once the project location, PV technology, and size have 

been identified, stakeholders have been engaged, and all requirements have been considered and 

met. Implementation may involve a number of stakeholders previously mentioned and requires 

open communication between the solar installation industry and the historic preservation 

community. Consideration should be given to the impact of project implementation and 

construction on the function of the building or district and its occupants. Also, projects must be 

implemented to maintain structural and historical integrity while ensuring solar projects are 

installed to maximize generation of energy. 

5.5 Step 5: Evaluate Effects of Project

Evaluating a project after installation is a beneficial approach to take when installing solar 

projects on historic properties. By reviewing what was successful in the project implementation 

process, as well as what could be improved upon, the overall process can be improved to 

increase the rate of success of such projects in the future. Case studies or best practices can be 

created in order to share the experiences with other entities trying to replicate similar projects as 
29 

well as with the public. Evaluations may be required through Section 106 during consultation, 

funding mechanisms (e.g., often grants will not be awarded in full without a post-installation 

evaluation), or for tax purposes. Evaluations are not typically done by historic preservation 

officers, but this may represent an area for improvement. 

The project should be reviewed both during the process and after installation to analyze the 

coordination of preservation planners, installers, property owners, utilities, and bill payees. The 

review should also consider impacts on historic integrity, policies, neighbors, appeal boards, 

SHPOs, and the like. 

Review criteria to consider include three key measures:

1. Energy savings and system performance. Did the installation produce the energy savings 

expected? 

2. Impact on historic integrity. Did the installation affect the historic integrity of the property?

Impacts may include physical impacts on historic fabric as well as visual impacts. 

3. Financial impact. Was the installation cost effective? Over what period? 

In all instances, whether beneficial or negative, there is much to be learned from evaluating the 

process after the installation has been completed. The results of the evaluation should be shared 

with all stakeholders in order to inform future projects. The installed project can also be used for 

outreach and education to the historic and solar communities and the general public. Educational 

opportunities include print and online outreach documents, in-building real-time displays of PV 

electricity produced and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoided, Web-based PV system 

performance tracking, and interpretive displays or verbal tours. An example of a Web-based PV 

tracking system is provided in Figure below. 

Figure 6. Web-based PV performance display. Graphic by Lucid Design Group

5.6 Barriers 

Multiple barriers often challenge the implementation of solar projects on historic buildings or in 

historic districts. Potential barriers were highlighted at the June 2010 workshop. While not an 
30 

exhaustive list, these examples are presented to illustrate the potential challenges facing solar

projects on historic properties. 

• If building owners do not encourage or understand the energy efficiency measures 

that should be implemented prior to renewable energy installation for reduced energy 

requirements and lower energy costs overall, the renewable energy is less costeffective. 

• The cumulative effect of multiple installations on one historic property may exceed 

what each project displays individually. 

• A lack of involvement by local government and industry professionals early in the 

planning and identification process may lead to additional challenges or prolong the 

project implementation process. 

• Time constraints associated with funding may prove challenging to project managers 

in the planning and implementation phases. 

• Review processes may be time consuming (e.g., applications for Certificates of 

Appropriateness) and may increase overall delivery time on the project and disengage 

stakeholders. 

• Stakeholder time and resources may be limited, which makes it difficult to allocate

staff and staff time to complete paperwork and reviews. 

• Stakeholders may not be familiar with specific guidelines, which may increase the 

time and effort required for project implementation. 

• Stakeholders may perceive that PV technology is rapidly advancing, which may 

discourage investment now due to the view that more aesthetic, smaller, more 

efficient, and potentially more cost-effective panels may be about to enter the market. 

• The capital costs of PV projects can be inhibitive. 

• Engaging stakeholders may be difficult in a variety of ways, including identifying the 

right person to take action, keeping the project team focused, and understanding the 

PV project implementation process.

• Requirements and enforcing agreements may be challenged by the lack of knowledge 

of the value of historic preservation or the details of the implementation process as a 

whole. 

• Technical setbacks, like an existing historic electrical infrastructure that may not be 

capable of supporting a grid-connected PV installation, could present increased costs 

and project delays.

While the challenges facing every project are unique, this document intends to identify best 

practices that increase the likelihood of successful implementation of solar PV projects on 

historic properties. This information is intended to inform decision-makers and provide a starting 

point for the implementation process. 
31 

6 Case Study

The Colorado Capitol Complex comprises 18 buildings in downtown Denver, Colo., including 

the Colorado State Capitol, which was built between 1895 and 1903. Maintenance staff faced a 

limited budget for controlled maintenance, causing them to look for innovative ways to take care 

of the buildings. Over a period of four years, energy efficiency upgrades were made to the 

Capitol while protecting its historic integrity. In October 2008, Governor Bill Ritter announced 

that the Capitol was to become the first in the nation to obtain the U.S. Green Building Council’s 

new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for Existing 

Buildings (LEED-EB): Operations & Maintenance. 

The LEED certification system provides an outline for buildings to use less energy, water, and 

natural resources, and improve the indoor environment. The LEED-EB certification is awarded 

to those who can certify that an existing building has been retrofitted in a manner that 

demonstrates certain efficiency standards for its ongoing operations and maintenance. The 

Colorado State Capitol received 41 out of 44 points submitted to attain certification. Other 

buildings within the Capitol Complex have received LEED certification as well. 

Figure 7. PV Panels on Denver Capitol Photo by Eliza Hotchkiss, NREL/PIX 18594

The annual budget for energy within the Capitol Complex is approximately $3 million. 

Approximately $1 million is being saved annually because of the energy-saving retrofits, 

specifically lighting upgrades; the improvements to windows, boilers, and chillers; and the 

electricity offset by the PV panels. 

Building-specific improvements that have been made to the Capitol in order to obtain LEED-EB 

certification include: 

• Water conservation efforts such as low-flow toilets

• Use of low-energy light bulbs and T-8 light fixtures 

• Improved energy controls 

• Use of green cleaning products 
32 

• Initiation and maintenance of a recycling program 

• Purchase of Energy Star® electronics and equipment 

• Use of environmentally friendly landscaping products and plans 

• Installation of 10-kW PV system. 

The 10-kW PV system (approximately 40 panels) on the roof of the Capitol was intended as a 

demonstration project with educational benefits. The attic was converted into an educational 

area, called Mr. Brown’s Attic, where visitors can learn about Colorado’s early history, 

construction of the Capitol, and the legislative process. From Mr. Brown’s Attic, visitors can 

ascend 99 steps to an interior observation area that provides a panoramic 360-degree view of 

downtown Denver as well as a view of the PV system.45

With special access, visitors can also view the two inverters that convert the energy being 

produced by the solar panels from direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) electricity so 

it can be used within the building’s electrical systems. The panels are situated on the roof, just 

below the Capitol dome, so that they are not visible from street level. They face due south and 

due west to determine the decrease in efficiency between south-facing (optimal placement) and 

west-facing (less efficient) panels. 

This project was funded through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with Chevron 

Energy Solutions. An additional project has been funded by a grant of $4.7 million from DOE 

for a ground-source, heat pump heat/cool project in the Capitol as part of the Chevron Energy 

Savings Performance Contract, which is estimated to cut utility bills by 30%. The savings 

associated with this additional work is $100,000 per year. 

From the early stages of project identification to the installation and analysis of the PV system’s 

effects, this case study can serve as a valuable example of the importance of each step in the 

implementation process. 

The Capitol was selected as a demonstration project due to a number of considerations, including 

funding mechanisms and project timing. It is involved in a performance contract that allows the 

excess savings from the utility budget to be used to fund energy-related projects. The Governor’s 

Energy Office suggested a PV installation on the governor’s residence, which is a historic 

property. However, this was not a viable option due to structural integrity. A PV system was 

installed on the carriage house roof instead. The Capitol was chosen because of an existing attic 

educational area renovation, the available funding from the performance contract and tax credits, 

as well as approval from both the SHPO and Capitol Building Advisory Committee for the 

installation with the agreement that the PV panels not be visible from the grounds of the capitol. 

The stakeholders involved were the Governor’s Energy Office, the SHPO, the Capitol Building 

 

45 www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1200536135302. Accessed June 2011.

 •Identify potential projects and stakeholders
33 

Advisory Committee, the Department of Personnel and Administration, energy savings 

performance contractors, and the PV installers. 

Stakeholders were engaged throughout the project. The engagement process was driven by the 

funding options available and the knowledge of potentially interested parties. Engagement 

occurred primarily through conversations and meetings relating to various requirements. For 

example, solar installers were engaged through the ESPC in relation to the funding and contract 

mechanism, whereas the historic preservation community was engaged during impact reviews by 

the State Office of Archeology, which represents the State Historic Preservation Officer. As part 

of the ESPC, the LEED-EB certification process was used to provide a third-party review of the 

energy conservation work performed. The LEED process and recertification process are part of 

ongoing maintenance and accountability to maintain energy performance. 

Key to teamwork among stakeholders is mutual empathy for those involved. There may be a 

sense of doubt that the solar industry could or would be sensitive to historic considerations. Solar 

companies certainly can work with the historic building community, but it would help to have 

each party approach the project without a preconceived idea that the other is trying to be 

difficult. Both renewable energy and historic preservation are important objectives. The language 

of historic preservation speaks in terms of impact on a resource; solar projects seek renewable 

energy yield. Conflict may arise when there is an impact and a redesign would lower yield. Both 

points of view benefit from a clean energy source and lower operating cost while successfully 

protecting an historic resource. 

Requirements for historic preservation were met by ensuring the PV panels were not visible from 

the Capitol grounds, thus preserving the character and integrity of the historic features of the 

Capitol. The PV system was installed as an educational feature as part of the Capitol’s attic 

museum. The PV system is tied into the presentation on the history of energy usage in the 

Capitol. The system was also installed as a demonstration project with half of the PV panels 

facing south and the other half facing west to compare the impacts on panel orientation. It is 

important that the installation can be easily removed or reversed without impacting the property. 

During construction, weekly meetings were held to discuss progress and the observation of all 

project requirements. The PV installation required a state electrical permit, was validated by 

Xcel Energy for compliance with their rebate program, and was reviewed by a LEED consultant 

as part of the certification process. 

The PV system was funded through tax credits and performance contracting. The length of the 

project was dictated by contractual challenges and stakeholder concerns relating to insurance and 

 •Engage stakeholders

 •Follow appropriate review requirement 

 •Implement Projects
34 

liability. The community was informed of the project through the approval processes associated 

with the Capitol Building Advisory Committee and the Colorado Historical Society. 

The response to the PV project by the public, historic community, solar installer, and the 

Governor’s Energy Office has been positive. Power generation is monitored through a motionsensing display in the attic, as well as an online PV monitoring system with secure log-in46. The 

geothermal heat pump project will connect to the same online monitoring system to export 

information relating to production. The project monitoring system has proven that the southfacing PV panels are producing energy within the PV installers’ estimated range and shown that 

the west-facing panels are below the estimated production. The only drawback of the Capitol PV 

system is that not all tax benefits were captured to offset the initial costs of the project. 

 

46 www.fatspaniel.com/. Accessed June 2011.

 •Evaluate impact of completed project
35 

7 Summary

Addressing the barriers associated with siting PV installations on historic properties can help 

expand the nation’s potential solar resources while also preserving its heritage. In this way, the 

solar and preservation communities can work together to meet growing renewable energy needs. 

The first step to overcoming barriers successfully is to better understand the processes for both 

historic preservation and solar PV project implementation and to work with professionals in each 

sector to receive appropriate buy-in and guidance. Establishing criteria for each sector assists in 

achieving a successful project. Solar PV projects can be assessed based on performance, cost, 

and economic payback of the system. Historic preservation can be assessed based on impacts to 

the historic character of the site, economics, and energy savings.

Ultimately, historic preservation and solar PV work toward achieving a shared objective: 

resource conservation. Educating key stakeholders and tracking project implementation is 

imperative to achieving success. This publication and the June 2010 workshop represent the 

benefits of partnership between the two fields to facilitate shared discussions and education.