ARB discusses countywide rooftop solar guidelines; staff to return with numeric setbacks and images

At a work session the Albemarle County Architectural Review Board reviewed a second draft of countywide rooftop solar guidance and asked staff to refine numeric measurements and illustrative images before formal adoption.

Margaret (staff) noted prior discussion about a 6‑inch versus 8‑inch projection measurement and said a review of past approvals showed a range of panel projections: one pitched-roof example (Virginia Asphalt on Avon Street) measured about 10 inches from the roof surface to the top of the panel once mounting hardware was included, while high‑school projects had panels roughly 12 to 15 inches above the roof. Based on that review, staff said the recommendation should move to at least 12 inches measured from the roof surface to the top of the panel for pitched roofs, but the board discussed whether a single standard should apply to both pitched and low‑slope roofs.

Board members raised three recurring concerns: visual prominence of large, continuous fields of panels on flat roofs; the overall projection (height) of arrays; and how to define an "orderly" or architecturally coordinated arrangement that staff could approve administratively. Several members suggested using a combination of numeric limits (maximum panel height at lower and upper edges, maximum panel dimension) together with the guideline language that requires an "organized pattern that establishes a coordinated and orderly appearance consistent with the architecture." The board also clarified that arrays completely concealed by a parapet do not require ARB review because they are not visible.

Rather than finalize numeric thresholds at the meeting, board members asked staff to return with specific numbers and images. One board member offered that staff should revise the draft to change the earlier 8‑inch pitched‑roof reference to 10 inches for pitched roofs and to provide example images that illustrate a 12‑inch setback from roof edges; staff agreed to bring a revised draft with examples at a future meeting. The board also discussed creating a third category for installations that function as architectural elements rather than retrofit mechanical equipment; staff said they would explore wording and sample images for that concept.

Next steps: staff will refine the draft text, propose numeric thresholds for pitched and flat roofs with supporting images, and return to the ARB for further review.