[Adopted 12-8-2008]
[Amended 9-15-2014]
A. 
Any building, the construction of which is commenced on or after October 1, 1977, which is equipped with a solar energy heating or cooling system, or any building to which a solar energy heating or cooling system is added on or after October 1, 1977, shall receive a property tax assessment exemption 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. The exemption shall only apply to the first 15 assessment years following construction of such building or addition of any such system to a building.
B. 
As used in this section, "solar energy heating or cooling system" means equipment 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, employs mechanical means such as fans or pumps to transfer energy, and meets standards established by regulation by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Such standards are incorporated herein by reference.
C. 
Any person who desires to claim the exemption provided in this section shall file with the Assessor in the Town of Easton, within 30 days following the annual assessment date, written application claiming such exemption on a form as prescribed by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Failure to file such application in said manner and form within the time limit prescribed shall constitute a waiver of the right to such exemption for the assessment year.
A. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
HYBRID SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy heating or cooling system which consists of both active and passive elements and which meets the standards established for both.
[Amended 9-15-2014]
PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A system which utilizes the structural elements of a building for the collection of incident solar energy and its storage and distribution for use in water heating or space heating or cooling, which building absent such system would require a conventional energy resource, such as petroleum products, natural gas or electricity, and which system meets standards established by regulation by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.
[Amended 9-15-2014]
SOLAR ENERGY ELECTRICITY GENERATING SYSTEM
Equipment which is designed, operated and installed as a system at any private residential location which meets standards established by regulation by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.
B. 
Any solar energy electricity generating system installed for the generation of electricity for private residential use, provided that such installation occurs on or after October 1, 1977, shall receive a property tax assessment exemption. This exemption shall only be applicable in the first 15 assessment years following the installation of such system.
C. 
Any building, the construction of which is commenced on or after April 20, 1977, which is equipped with a passive or hybrid solar energy system, or any building to which such a system is added on or after April 20, 1977, shall receive a property tax assessment exemption to the extent of any amount by which the assessed valuation of such real property equipped with such a system exceeds the valuation at which such real property would be assessed if built using conventional construction techniques in lieu of construction related to such a system, as determined by the assessing officer of the Town of Easton.
[Amended 9-15-2014]
D. 
Any person who desires to claim the exemption provided in this section shall file with the Assessor in the Town of Easton, within 30 days following the annual assessment date, written application claiming such exemption on a form as prescribed by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Failure to file such application in such manner and form within the time limit prescribed shall constitute a waiver of the right to such exemption for the assessment year.
[Amended 9-15-2014]