BAR considers roof‑mounted solar for 218 Occoquan Terrace SW, finds installation acceptable with conditions

The Board of Architectural Review reviewed a proposal to install roof‑mounted solar panels at 218 Occoquan Terrace Southwest on March 19, 2025 and found the installation acceptable in this instance, subject to findings and conditions addressing visibility, color and a clean, flush mounting.

Staff analysis: Preservation staff noted the town’s current guidelines prefer locating panels on secondary elevations and minimizing visibility, but said the subject property is a late‑20th‑century, non‑contributing townhouse located on a private, dead‑end street with limited visibility from Loudoun Street and Dry Mill Road. Staff referenced common-practice guidance from the National Park Service and other localities, and cited DC practice as a contrasting example that allows panels on primary facades when necessary. The applicant proposed 19 panels split between front and rear roof planes, with conduit and electrical equipment placed to match house color.

Applicant comments: An installer representative (ION) described electrical routing and that conduit will match house color; the applicant said panels would be mounted flush and arranged to avoid a jagged, sawtooth appearance. The installer said shading on the backyard required panels on both roof faces to reach the homeowner’s energy production goals.

Board discussion and findings: Members agreed this non‑contributing, contemporary property’s limited public visibility and the panels’ flush, uniform arrangement made the proposal acceptable as a site-specific exception to the usual preference for placement on secondary elevations. Julie Pastor and Rick Brown proposed findings emphasizing the property’s late‑twentieth‑century character, its location on a private dead‑end street and the limited visibility from public rights of way. The board asked staff to capture findings that the panel color, flush mounting and clean array minimize visual impact.

Action: The board moved to approve the installation (motion and supporting findings presented on the record). The transcript does not record a final roll‑call tally for this motion; meeting materials and staff will record the final vote in the official minutes and permit paperwork.

Conditions and next steps: Staff said conduit and electrical components should match the house color, panels should be mounted flush and the installer should avoid sawtooth arrangements. Because the property’s rear faces Loudoun Street and visibility is limited by the subdivision layout, staff recommended and the board accepted site‑specific findings allowing the panels in this instance.

Speakers quoted in this article are taken from the BAR meeting record and applicant materials.