Solar information

There are several fields on the Utilities tab of the Single Family listing input form that correspond to the solar energy features of a property:

• Solar is an option in the Heat Type field.
• Solar is an option in the Heat Fuel Type field.
• Active Solar and Passive Solar are options in the Energy Features field.

If you select any of these options (with the exception of Passive Solar in the Energy Features field), seven additional fields are automatically added to the input form, allowing for more detailed solar information to display on the listing:

Note: if there is solar information on the tax record (parcel ID) you used when you started entering the listing, that information will automatically populate these fields. The fields are still editable- if you have more updated or accurate solar details, you can override the information in any of them.

Not all towns collect this information, though, so it is very possible that these fields will be completely empty when they are added to the listing input form. Additionally, these fields are optional- you are free (and encouraged) to enter any applicable solar information you have for the property, but can also publish the listing without filling in any of them.

Towns that include solar information in their tax records obtain it from State Database on Energy Efficiency.

There are two different solar options within Energy Features- active solar and passive solar.

• Active solar uses mechanical and electrical technology, such as photovoltaic (PV) panels or pumps, to convert sunlight into electricity or usable thermal energy.
• Passive solar relies on a building's natural architecture and materials, such as brick, stone or water, to collect and distribute heat without moving parts.

Use the required Solar Contract Details field to give any additional information about the solar features of the property.