Help!! I am BANNED for having Solar! Triangular Module??

[nrgized]

Currently my city bans me for having solar. They require triangular solar modules to complete my array or I face many penalties. I need help on how to construct faux triangular solar modules.

i.e. maybe poly-carbonate sheet or plexiglass. Framing...and or vinyl pic underneath. I need something cost effective or an ideas. Sharp made this idea ten years ago but that is outdated and so is my city ordinance.

[SunEagle]

Hello nrgized and welcome to Solar Panel Talk

Please do not flood this forum with multiple posts or you will be considered a spammer and banned from here.

[sensij]

Would you post a link to the ordinance? Sharing the exact requirement will probably generate more useful suggestions.

[NEOH]

Triangular PV Panel for sale on e-bay.

Please name the City and State that has this regulation.

It would not be difficult to fabricate a faux panel with non-functional cells inside.
There are many DIY PV Panel websites

[nrgized]

Triangular PV Panel for sale on e-bay.

Please name the City and State that has this regulation.

It would not be difficult to fabricate a faux panel with non-functional cells inside.
There are many DIY PV Panel websites

Yes. It is in Burnsville, MN. This is the only city in the state requiring this. I am now forced with coming up with a faux solar triangular module to meet ordinance.

I need help with ideas ( cost effective materials ) to accomplish this.....any help is very appreciated and this will allow other's with a hip roof to go solar.

I already paid $1750 for a CUP or 6 month conditional use permit last year which did nothing.

With the exception of the solar collector surface, all surfaces and associated mechanical
equipment, devices and meters shall use non-reflective finishes such as an anodized finish. The color of
panel frames and support structures shall be neutral and compatible with roof or other surface color so
as to be architecturally compatible with the building or structure on which it is located and to blend in
with the surrounding area.
(H) Aesthetics: Accessory SES shall be designed and installed in a manner to complement and not detract
from the character of the site and neighboring properties. All SES are to be designed to minimize visual
impacts, provided that mitigating for visual impacts will allow the system to function within expected
industry standards. The City Development Review Committee (DRC) will determine if the proposed design
and installation complements or detracts from the character of the site and neighboring property,
buildings and structures. Any person aggrieved by the determination of the DRC may file an appeal to the
City Council pursuant to Title 10-5-8 of this Code or file an application for a Conditional Use Permit
pursuant to Title 10-5-5 of this Code.
1. Accessory SES shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the building, structure and
property landscape.
2. All structures associated with the SES system shall be neither visually intrusive nor inappropriate
to their setting.
3. Building-integrated and roof-mounted SES are allowed regardless of visibility, provided the
building component in which the system is integrated meets all required setback, land use and
performance standards for the district in which building is located.
4. Solar collection device(s) shall be designed and located to avoid solar glare or reflection onto
adjacent properties and right-of-way and shall not interfere with traffic or create a safety hazard. The
property owner shall be responsible to ensure reflection angles from collector surfaces are oriented away
from neighboring windows. Where necessary, buffering may be required to address glare.

Placement of panels should be uniform and the slope and proportions of the
array shall match the shape and proportions of the roof.

Shall cover no more than eighty (80) percent of the total south-facing roof

[nrgized]

Would you post a link to the ordinance? Sharing the exact requirement will probably generate more useful suggestions.

With the exception of the solar collector surface, all surfaces and associated mechanical
equipment, devices and meters shall use non-reflective finishes such as an anodized finish. The color of
panel frames and support structures shall be neutral and compatible with roof or other surface color so
as to be architecturally compatible with the building or structure on which it is located and to blend in
with the surrounding area.
(H) Aesthetics: Accessory SES shall be designed and installed in a manner to complement and not detract
from the character of the site and neighboring properties. All SES are to be designed to minimize visual
impacts, provided that mitigating for visual impacts will allow the system to function within expected
industry standards. The City Development Review Committee (DRC) will determine if the proposed design
and installation complements or detracts from the character of the site and neighboring property,
buildings and structures. Any person aggrieved by the determination of the DRC may file an appeal to the
City Council pursuant to Title 10-5-8 of this Code or file an application for a Conditional Use Permit
pursuant to Title 10-5-5 of this Code.
1. Accessory SES shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the building, structure and
property landscape.
2. All structures associated with the SES system shall be neither visually intrusive nor inappropriate
to their setting.
3. Building-integrated and roof-mounted SES are allowed regardless of visibility, provided the
building component in which the system is integrated meets all required setback, land use and
performance standards for the district in which building is located.
4. Solar collection device(s) shall be designed and located to avoid solar glare or reflection onto
adjacent properties and right-of-way and shall not interfere with traffic or create a safety hazard. The
property owner shall be responsible to ensure reflection angles from collector surfaces are oriented away
from neighboring windows. Where necessary, buffering may be required to address glare.

Placement of panels should be uniform and the slope and proportions of the
array shall match the shape and proportions of the roof.

Shall cover no more than eighty (80) percent of the total south-facing roof

[FFE]

Black plastic ABS sheet inside aluminum frame that is similar to standard solar panels is what I would do. I am assuming that you would install standard rectangular solar panels and just put the triangular ABS panels on the ends.

[NEOH]

nrgized ,

Did you see the triangular PV Panel on ebay ?

Otherwise You-Tube has gazzilion "DIY Solar Panel" videos

[azdave]

Did you see the triangular PV Panel on ebay ?

Hint: Search "Sharp Triangular Module" to find them on eBay.

[AzRoute66]

I'm no lawyer, but I sometimes play one on the internet, and I don't read anything into that which requires triangular panels, or requires any SES. To me, it says that IF you use SES, this is how it will be done and what applies to it. I wonder what a real lawyer might say.

[kb58]

This whole thing is just so bizarre. What next, the HOA demanding that everyone have 5-wheel cars?

[nrgized]

Black plastic ABS sheet inside aluminum frame that is similar to standard solar panels is what I would do. I am assuming that you would install standard rectangular solar panels and just put the triangular ABS panels on the ends.

Thank you for the idea. It has to match the 28 other Canadian solar modules so the top would need to be I would assume the look of faux solar cells in the module.....But I was thinking your same thing. I have been at this for nearly two years. I have looked all over the world. This city is outdated and the mayor called me a trailblazer but I am facing penalties, etc if I don't solve this problem for myself and future generations in this community. All I want is a bright future.

[nrgized]

This whole thing is just so bizarre. What next, the HOA demanding that everyone have 5-wheel cars?

I don't have an HOA- actually I had to sue mine for breach of contract in failing to fix my flat roof over my garage in my previous home. Now I am facing a city with a outdated solar ordinance...karma or I am on a roll finding injustice in my community by trying to live my own life.

I am through all stages and now just forced to find a solution.... any ideas and empathy are helpful. I appreciate your time reading this and your ideas.

[nrgized]

I'm no lawyer, but I sometimes play one on the internet, and I don't read anything into that which requires triangular panels, or requires any SES. To me, it says that IF you use SES, this is how it will be done and what applies to it. I wonder what a real lawyer might say.

Trust me. I have went the court route, the city route, the mayor, etc.. for two years....I even ran for council and studied for my LSAT....my only solution is a maybe a class action lawsuit down the road but I need a solution for myself and any other person in my city.

The city is sandbagging me.. I even tried the city attorney...I tried going for the contractor... they have stuck me with the bag because I am the homeowner. Judges agree with the ordinacne as it's law until it's updated and the jury say's the contractor built a working system even though it does not meet code.

This is the twilight zone for me. This is another attempt to finding a solution to this situation...

[J.P.M.]

Trust me. I have went the court route, the city route, the mayor, etc.. for two years....I even ran for council and studied for my LSAT....my only solution is a maybe a class action lawsuit down the road but I need a solution for myself and any other person in my city.

The city is sandbagging me.. I even tried the city attorney...I tried going for the contractor... they have stuck me with the bag because I am the homeowner. Judges agree with the ordinacne as it's law until it's updated and the jury say's the contractor built a working system even though it does not meet code.

This is the twilight zone for me. This is another attempt to finding a solution to this situation...

After all that, and all the angst the city seems to have about solar, it may come down to a choice of either accepting reality and doing without solar, or moving.