What is the priority in Warwick? Preserving our heritage or saving environment?

At their July meeting, the Warwick Historic District Commission (HDC) voted 4-1 against a residential solar panel project in the historic Pawtuxet Village neighborhood. But that may not put an end to the debate of whether the panels start appearing in the village with homes dating back to sixteen hundreds.

Homeowner Bradley “Dexter” Hofhines plans to appeal the case to the Zoning Board of Review in hopes that they will take an “official stance” on residential solar energy.

“They [the HDC] are prioritizing preserving history over the environment,” he said. “I’d like to see the City override it.”

Hofhines believes Warwick is “behind the curve” when it comes to renewable energy sources. “I think what’s happening in Warwick won’t happen much longer,” he added..

No stranger to solar panels, Hofhines has worked in the solar industry for ten years. “I want to upgrade from traditional energy,” he says. “The demand [for solar power] is a lot bigger than we all realize.”

The solar panels were proposed to be mounted on the east-facing roof of 76 Bayside Ave, the Charles F. Reinhardt home, currently owned by Hofhines and his wife, Claudia. The Hofhines purchased the home in 2022 from Erik P. Ulmen. The home is a 2.5-story clapboard and shingle building with a Colonial Revival porch.

According to the 2023 RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission Approved City of Warwick (HDC) Design Guidelines General Standards, “Roof locations for mechanical and electrical equipment including wind generators and solar panels are generally not appropriate unless they are visually unnoticeable at ground level or can be screened from view.” These design guidelines, along with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standard of Review, can be found on the City of Warwick website.

“We have to follow their standards, we don’t really have a choice,” said HDC Commissioner Ginny Leslie who voted against the project. “They make it clear that if you have solar panels that are visible from the street or any right of way, that’s not good.”

According to the meeting agenda, “the Applicant is requesting a roof-top solar installation that does not meet the Design Guidelines… in full-view from Bayside Avenue.” Hofhines proposed building 23 solar panels mounted on the east-facing roof with all conduit on the rear and interior of the home. The solar panels were proposed as all black and flush with the roof, according to Hofhines’ application.

Dexter Hofhines worked with Summit Energy to draft the designs for the solar panels. He says that should the panels have been approved, he would’ve been able to offset his traditional energy use by 60%. “There are other homes where you could get to 100%,” he said.

“It’s not that we’re not conscious about the planet. Solar is generally a good idea but there are so many houses outside of the historic district, and [Hofhines] could have bought one of those,” said Leslie. “We were concerned about the precedent it would set.”

Hofhines says that although the decision did not favor him personally, the atmosphere was “more cooperative and conversational.”

“It’s opening doors to the future,” he said. “Certain homes might go through with it now.”

Several local residents from the historic Pawtuxet Village district attended the meeting in support of solar panels being installed in the neighborhood, including two residents who had been denied solar panels in the past. Those in attendance included Kevin McVay, Tom Stehl and Grace Snell, John and Melissa Sommer, Nancy Craven and Frank Champ, and Rebecca Schneider and Will Rogers.