Solar Panel Installation Guidelines
E2. RULES FOR INSTALLATION OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
The TrailMark HOA encourages the use of energy devices that are based on renewable resources. It is imperative that use of these devices is in balance with community aesthetics and safety. Therefore, consistent with Colorado Revised Statue §38-30-168, HOA approval is required for all roof-mounted solar devices, and the Design Review Committee (DRC) will review all requests. The following standards shall apply with respect to the installation, maintenance, and use of roof-mounted solar devices.
For purposes of this Section, “solar device” shall mean any solar device as defined in Colorado Revised Statute §38-32.5-100.3(2).
1. Location:
a. To the maximum extent possible, a roof-mounted solar device shall be installed so as to minimize its exposure when viewed from the front of the residence,
unless to do so will have the effect of substantially interfering with the use of the device or significantly increasing the cost of the device.
b. The preferred location of the device shall be on the back roof of the residence and below the peak of the roof.
c. In no case will a pole-mounted device be considered.
2. Installation:
a. All solar devices shall be low profile; non-rack mounted panels, consistently following the roofline, unless to do so will have the effect of prohibiting the
collection of solar energy.
b. The solar panels will be installed within Zone 1, and a minimum of 18” off-set from the roof edge.
c. All solar devices must be secured so that they do not jeopardize the safety of residents or cause damage to adjacent properties. TrailMark is within an area
of high wind speeds and engineering may be required to conform to local wind load requirements.
d. All installations must comply with all applicable building codes and other governmental regulations.
3. Solar Device Materials:
a. In keeping with community aesthetics, the color of the device and exposed pipes, panels, and other apparatus must be approved by the HOA.
b. The device framing system will be dark in color, i.e. bronze. No white or aluminum frames will be approved.
c. The device panels will have a dark back sheet and anti-glare glass.
d. Wiring must be installed through the roof and routed inside the house or routed to the soffit nearest the home’s electrical meter panel. Connections to the
inverter from the soffit will be encased in PVC. Exposed conduit (PVC) will be painted to match the adjacent roof and siding color. In no case will wiring be
exposed. Inverters and disconnects will be installed as close to the electrical meter panel as possible.
4. Solar System Review Documents: In connection with obtaining the DRC’s review of a solar device, the following information will be submitted:
a. Location that the device is to be installed on the property/structure, showing all sides where the device is to be installed;
b. Type of device to be installed;
c. Dimensions of the proposed device;
d. Color of the proposed device – framing and panels;
e. Pictorial/brochure of the device;
f. Verification of the wiring method (through the roof or external conduit), that there will be no exposed wires, and any conduit will be painted to match adjacent
building surfaces.
5. Should the proposed solar system not meet the guidelines as discussed above, a written statement by a solar energy expert will be required, stating that the restrictions imposed by the DRC will have the effect of (1) substantially interfering with the collection of solar energy, and/or (2) significantly increase the cost
of the device. In that case, the DRC will, as an exception, permit variances to the requirements to the minimum amount as is reasonably required, to allow the
device to function properly and to minimize any increase in the cost of the device to the Owner.
The TrailMark HOA encourages the use of energy devices that are based on renewable resources. It is imperative that use of these devices is in balance with community aesthetics and safety. Therefore, consistent with Colorado Revised Statue §38-30-168, HOA approval is required for all roof-mounted solar devices, and the Design Review Committee (DRC) will review all requests. The following standards shall apply with respect to the installation, maintenance, and use of roof-mounted solar devices.
For purposes of this Section, “solar device” shall mean any solar device as defined in Colorado Revised Statute §38-32.5-100.3(2).
1. Location:
a. To the maximum extent possible, a roof-mounted solar device shall be installed so as to minimize its exposure when viewed from the front of the residence,
unless to do so will have the effect of substantially interfering with the use of the device or significantly increasing the cost of the device.
b. The preferred location of the device shall be on the back roof of the residence and below the peak of the roof.
c. In no case will a pole-mounted device be considered.
2. Installation:
a. All solar devices shall be low profile; non-rack mounted panels, consistently following the roofline, unless to do so will have the effect of prohibiting the
collection of solar energy.
b. The solar panels will be installed within Zone 1, and a minimum of 18” off-set from the roof edge.
c. All solar devices must be secured so that they do not jeopardize the safety of residents or cause damage to adjacent properties. TrailMark is within an area
of high wind speeds and engineering may be required to conform to local wind load requirements.
d. All installations must comply with all applicable building codes and other governmental regulations.
3. Solar Device Materials:
a. In keeping with community aesthetics, the color of the device and exposed pipes, panels, and other apparatus must be approved by the HOA.
b. The device framing system will be dark in color, i.e. bronze. No white or aluminum frames will be approved.
c. The device panels will have a dark back sheet and anti-glare glass.
d. Wiring must be installed through the roof and routed inside the house or routed to the soffit nearest the home’s electrical meter panel. Connections to the
inverter from the soffit will be encased in PVC. Exposed conduit (PVC) will be painted to match the adjacent roof and siding color. In no case will wiring be
exposed. Inverters and disconnects will be installed as close to the electrical meter panel as possible.
4. Solar System Review Documents: In connection with obtaining the DRC’s review of a solar device, the following information will be submitted:
a. Location that the device is to be installed on the property/structure, showing all sides where the device is to be installed;
b. Type of device to be installed;
c. Dimensions of the proposed device;
d. Color of the proposed device – framing and panels;
e. Pictorial/brochure of the device;
f. Verification of the wiring method (through the roof or external conduit), that there will be no exposed wires, and any conduit will be painted to match adjacent
building surfaces.
5. Should the proposed solar system not meet the guidelines as discussed above, a written statement by a solar energy expert will be required, stating that the restrictions imposed by the DRC will have the effect of (1) substantially interfering with the collection of solar energy, and/or (2) significantly increase the cost
of the device. In that case, the DRC will, as an exception, permit variances to the requirements to the minimum amount as is reasonably required, to allow the
device to function properly and to minimize any increase in the cost of the device to the Owner.