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 an active solar energy heating or
cooling system, to the extent of the amount by which the assessed
valuation of such real property equipped with such active 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, is
exempt from assessment. This exemption shall only apply to the first
15 assessment years following construction of such building or addition.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ACTIVE SOLAR HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM
Equipment, including windmills and waterwheels, 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, which employs mechanical
means such as fans or pumps to transfer energy and which meets standards
established by regulation by the Secretary of the Office of Policy
and Management.
Any person who desires to claim the exemption provided herein
shall file with the Assessor, within 30 days following the annual
assessment date, written application claiming such exemption on a
form as prescribed by the Tax Commissioner. 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.