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Commission approves small solar array and battery at 1552 Academy St.
Summary
The commission approved six rooftop solar panels and a basement battery at 1552 Academy Street, finding the installation unobtrusive from public rights of way.
The Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness for the addition of six solar panels and a battery installation for the house at 1552 Academy St.
Chad Becker of Tiger Solar described the work as "the addition of those 6 panels you see on the southernmost end there, and the battery. But the battery is going in the basement at this point." Becker said the roof area is difficult to see from public vantage points on the street, making the panels unobtrusive in the public realm.
A commissioner asked about the racking pitch and mounting system; Becker said the proposal uses a standard rail system approximately five inches tall and indicated panels would be pitched normally on the rail system rather than on an elevated frame. Commissioners noted previous cases and earlier approvals and said the application appeared straightforward given the limited visibility from the sidewalk.
The motion approved the certificate of appropriateness citing Secretary of the Interior Standards 2, 9 and 10. Roll call was unanimous: Katie, Christie, Dana and James voted yes. Staff said permits appeared to have already been applied for and that the commission would follow up as needed.
The commission did not require changes to the visible rooflines and approved the installation as presented, with the battery sited in the basement rather than on the exterior.
