Solar Panels on Mid-Century Architecture
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
United States
July 8, 2016 12:19pm CST
One of the reasons I moved to this neighborhood was the architecture of the homes. They are very Mid-Century, although built in the 1970s. They remind me of the homes built in Palm Springs in the 1950s. Every time I look out my windows, leave in my car or arrive back home, I see the lovely rooflines. They make me happy.
This morning I heard pounding outside. I got dressed early, because I had no idea what the pounding meant. Once dressed, I walked outside and noticed two green panel trucks with the words Solar City on their sides. There was also a team of men on the roof and in the driveway.
They are installing solar panels on the house two doors down from me. OMG. Although I believe in solar panels, even think they should be put on all homes or patio covers (whatever works best), I think the placement of them on the front of a period home designed so that the roofline is part of the aesthetic is a brutal mistake.
One more reason to pack up and cruise forever! What do you think about solar panels placed on the front of a home?
Update: They put one huge one on the garage. It almost covers the entire roof. Also placed one on the roof facing the garage. So they have one facing west, and another facing south.
10 people like this
11 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
8 Jul 16
Yes, they certainly will. But they will also up the ugly factor and eliminate the beauty of the architecture. Bummer.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
8 Jul 16
@ElizabethWallace It does become a difficult balance.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
8 Jul 16
@Asylum Yes. These particular neighbors don't seem to follow the rules, which is odd, since the husband is on the board of the homeowners association. They stack "stuff" where it is visible to neighbors, which is not allowed, and park five cars (there are only two of them) all over the neighborhood.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (24026)
• United Kingdom
8 Jul 16
There are some on houses here in the UK although Ironically there is not as much sun each day as you have there. I wonder if there is such a thing as underwater solar panels as Barry @Asylum would have need for these where he lives!
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
Ha ha! It does rain a lot there, and is gray too. That's why he escapes to sunny places so often.
1 person likes this
@sunilparthan (6302)
• India
8 Jul 16
Solar panels will be good for electricity in coming years, But installing it here in our country is very expensive and because of that not many people are using it. Should promote the use of solar panel.
1 person likes this
@sunilparthan (6302)
• India
9 Jul 16
@ElizabethWallace yes very well said now here government is giving subsidy but not got much support
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
It is absurd that they are expensive. It really doesn't cost much to make them or put them up. Countries should be required to encourage solar panels, as they fight global warming.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
@sunilparthan My neighbor told me they paid nothing for the panels. Plus, the electric company is required to pay them for any excess electricity they make. Cool.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
8 Jul 16
I'd rather they be used like that than we denying fishermen water in the river tank so that we could get enough for power, and enough for drinking. Drinking and bathing cannot be avoided, but power requirements can be easily met. But then, I am in India, and whoever heard of the word aesthetics here..lol
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
8 Jul 16
@ElizabethWallace ..You would think Indian real estate is cheap...but it is not...demand and supply theory proves that population pushes up demand for real estate making it beyond reach for many. Time India did something on its aesthetics and something on its population problem.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
8 Jul 16
@vandana7 Do you have laws about building with natural disasters in mind? Those are more important than aesthetics.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
8 Jul 16
Right. The area where I live is very expensive, partly because of the beauty. If it becomes ugly, then the costs should go down, but they won't.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502491)
• Italy
9 Jul 16
@ElizabethWallace I know that there is a Swiss company that is trying to make a product that looks like real tiles. I hope it's true, but until I do not see something nice for the view I do not even think to place solar panels on our lovely roofs.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Jul 16
@LadyDuck I'm with you. All huge factories, government buildings, etc. with big (mostly flat) roofs should have solar panels installed and send any unused electricity into the grid to lower our bills and greenhouse gases.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
First, it's sad they are ugly. Second, wish they weren't so more people would use them. There has to be a way to do what is smart without making an area ugly.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
It sort of defeats the reason for the higher prices. We should all get an "ugly neighbor" discount.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul 16
@ElizabethWallace I can imagine it lowering house prices in the area.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
9 Jul 16
@ElizabethWallace Though the solar panels were a necessity,they sure take away the architectural beauty of the building.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
Right. The homeowner benefits, but the neighborhood sure doesn't.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
They finished in only a few hours. It isn't as ugly as it could be, but isn't pretty at all.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Jul 16
I was wondering if the panels were allowed in the restrictions governing the community, but I see he is on the board, so take it that he would have been sure of that.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Jul 16
It is allowed, I read about this in the HMO newsletter, but they have to ask each time.
1 person likes this
