A project qualifies as a solar energy project if it: is an addition, alteration, or improvement to a residential building or a commercial building; and is designed to reduce the energy requirements of the building by using: wind energy; energy from a wood-burning appliance; or solar energy of: the active type based on mechanically forced energy transfer; the passive type based on convective, conductive, or radiant energy transfer; or a combination of these types. A solar energy project may include: a solar process heat device; a solar electric device; and an earth–sheltered building in which the sheltering substantially reduces the consumption of energy by the building. A solar energy project may not include a fireplace, unless the fireplace is an integral part of a system designed to use passive solar energy.