As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
SOLAR ENERGY HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM
Equipment, including windmills and water wheels, which provides
for the collection, transfer, storage and use of incident solar energy
for water heating, space heating or cooling which absent such solar
energy system would require a conventional energy resource, such as
petroleum products, natural gas or electricity, and which meets standards
established by regulation by the Secretary of the Office of Policy
and Management.
In addition to other tax exemptions provided
by law, the Town hereby authorizes a property tax exemption for any
building or addition to a building as provided in this article.
Any building or addition to a building, the
construction of which is commenced on or after October 1, 1976, and
before October 1, 1991, which is equipped with a solar energy heating
or cooling system, shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of
the amount by which the assessed valuation of such real property equipped
with such solar heating or cooling system exceeds the assessed valuation
of such real property equipped with the conventional portion of the
heating or cooling system, exclusive of any portion of such system
related to solar energy, provided that this exemption shall only apply
to the first 15 assessment years following construction of such building
or addition.
Any person who desires to claim the exemption
provided in this article shall file with the Assessor, within 30 days
following the first assessment date and the annual assessment date
thereafter, written application claiming such exemption on a form
as prescribed by the Assessor. Failure to file such application each
year in said manner and form within the time limit prescribed shall
constitute a waiver of the right to such exemption for that assessment
year.
Any such solar energy system, wind power system,
or water power system should be constructed in accordance with applicable
building codes and zoning regulations and appropriate permits obtained
where necessary before any such exemption shall be granted.