An novel pattern of solar panels on the roof of three terraced houses in the town of Doorn has sparked a council investigation, because they spell out the Dutch slang word for penis.

The roof has caused a bit of a social media stir and sometimes the houses are buzzed by low flying helicopters who want to take a photo, prompting Utrechtse Heuvelrug council to take action.

The owner of the middle house, who preferred to remain anonymous, was the last to get the panels and says the shape had to be different because of the skylight. “The panels had to be placed around it and so it became a U,” he told the Gelderlander newspaper. And that means the panels spell out LUL, or dick. 

Res Peter, who lives at number 38, is not happy about the arrangement and asked the housing association Heuvelrug Wonen if it could do something about the lettering.

“Surely the people who installed the panels should have been more careful,” he told the paper. “All in all, I am not happy and I don’t see the humour.”

But Patrick at number 42 is pleased with the impact on his electricity bill and the occupant of the U home says he would rather the neighbourhood be known for the solar panels than criminality.

Local council Utrechtse Heuvelrug meanwhile, has started an investigation. “We have to decide if this is acceptable or not,” town official Rob Jorg told the paper. “You don’t need a permit for solar panels, but that does not mean you can just do what you like.”