Solar Energy Devices

Committee approval is required. While the Association encourages the use of energy devices that are based on renewable resources, it must balance that use with its responsibility to improve and enhance the attractiveness, desirability and safety of the community. Therefore, consistent with Colorado Revised Statute § 38-30-168, and the terms and conditions of the Declaration, Committee approval is required for all roof-mounted devices, including solar devices, and the following standards shall apply with respect to the installation, maintenance, and use of roof mounted devices and solar devices. For purposes of this Section 2.73, "solar device" shall mean a solar energy device as defined in Colorado Revised Statute § 38-32.5-100.3(2).

Location/Installation
In connection with obtaining the Committee's approval of any roof mounted device or solar device, the Owner shall provide the Committee with the following information: (i) the location that the device is to be installed on the property/structure, (ii) the type of device to be installed, (iii) the dimensions of the device, (iv) the proposed color of device, and (v) a pictorial/brochure of the device (if available). Following the Owner's submission of the required information, the Committee will either approve or deny the specific location for the installation of the device as requested by the Owner, or, if feasible, determine an alternate location, based on the following criteria:

-To the maximum extent possible, a roof mounted device or solar device shall be installed so as to minimize its exposure when viewed from any other Privately Owned Site, Common Area, Community Association Properties, street, or from the surrounding community 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.
-The preferred location of the device shall be on the back roof of the residence and below the peak of the roof. Alternatively, the device may be pole mounted in the rear area of a private yard below the fence line and, to the maximum extent possible, shall be screened from the view of others by landscaping materials.
-All devices shall be installed flush with the roof unless to do so will have the effect of prohibiting the collection of solar energy.
-The total number of solar panels and other apparatus installed shall not cover more than 75% of any given roof section, unless to do so will have the effect of prohibiting the collection of solar energy.

The Committee will review other suggested locations/installations if the above are not feasible, provided, however, the Committee may require the applicant to provide the Committee with a written statement by a solar energy expert that the restrictions imposed by the Committee will have the effect of (i) substantially interfering with the collection of solar energy, and/or (ii) significantly increasing the cost of the device. In that case, the Committee will permit variances to these 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.

All installations must comply with all applicable building codes and other governmental regulations, and must be secured so that they do not jeopardize the safety of residents or cause damage to adjacent properties.

Aesthetics
The Association encourages the Owner to select equipment that is aesthetically acceptable in the community and integrates with the residence and surrounding landscape to the maximum extent possible, keeping in mind the design and roofline of the residence on which the device is to be installed. The color of the device and exposed pipes, panels and other apparatus must be approved by the Committee. The device shall have flashing colored or painted to closely match the adjacent roof color. Poles shall be painted a matte color to blend with surrounding landscape. All glazing shall be solar bronze or black with no white or clear glazing allowed.

Removal
Equipment removal requires restoration of the installation location to its original condition. Owners shall be responsible for all costs relating to restoration.

Effect of Approval
Committee approval in no way should be construed as a representation, guarantee, or warranty, etc. by the Architectural Committee or the Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc. that collection of solar energy shall be adequate for the Owner’s needs or that roof mounted or solar devices will remain undisturbed by vegetation or improvements located on surrounding properties.
 

Solar Shades

• Operable or motorized solar shades may only be placed on the rear or side elevation.
• Each window must have its own shade, all windows must be covered on the same elevation.
• Shades must allow visible light transmittance, solid shades are not permitted. Shade colors must be submitted and are subject to review for compatibility with the home’s base and trim colors.
• Housing, track (or cable) and mechanism must be concealed behind trim to blend with the home. Window, trim style and shape must be maintained. Details must be submitted with application.
• Fixed solar shades and operable or motorized solar shades cannot be installed on the same elevation.