Chief Appraiser

Chief Appraiser Says

Reading the actual guideline text below — never a general AI guess

Here's what we found: The passages shown here don't actually explain what "kw" means or describe how kilowatt measurements work for solar system sizing. The first document that would have covered this — Solar PV: Kilowatt & System Basics Reference — had its relevant section withheld due to fair-use limits, so we can't show you that explanation. The other passages talk about solar components, costs, and how appraisers report these systems in home valuations, but they don't define the kilowatt unit or how it relates to sizing.

You'd need to see the full Solar PV: Kilowatt & System Basics Reference document itself to get that answer.

Did this answer your question? ✓ Answered ~ Partly ✗ Missed

Watch: Training Video for This Question Video Library →

Solar Basics: Understanding kW & kWh in Under 5 Minutes

AI Search

General web information, outside Chief Appraiser’s vetted library — verify against the authoritative source before relying on it professionally

Searching the wider web…

☀️ Want a breakdown of typical solar components and installed costs? This covers what solar is or isn't — not what it's worth. For what systems are typically built from and typically cost (cited to NREL, LBNL, EnergySage, and BloombergNEF, separate from any value question), see the components & cost reference →

© Copyright Notice: © Fannie Mae. UAD 3.6 / URAR reference materials shown for research and reference only. Full documents available at fanniemae.com/uad. Reproduction restricted per Fannie Mae copyright policy.

Relevant News

Recent public coverage related to this topic — cited, not reproduced

Clark County Board passes casita code changes removing lot-size limits

Clark County commissioners enacted code changes effective March 5, 2026, removing lot-size limitations for accessory living quarters in compliance with Nevada AB 396.

Read full story at Clark County / FOX5 Vegas →

Clark County March 2026 code updates remove lot-size limits for casitas

Clark County Board of Commissioners passed code updates effective March 5, 2026, removing lot-size limitations for accessory dwelling units and adjusting special use permit requirements for smaller lots.

Read full story at Kingdom & Co →

See all Relevant News →

Filter: All None

#1 Solar PV: Kilowatt & System Basics Reference (EIA/NREL, NEC 690.12) Page 1

0.364 ▼

[Excerpt withheld: the fair-use viewing limit for this document has been reached for this session. See the source document itself for more.]

Solar PV: Kilowatt & System Basics Reference (EIA/NREL, NEC 690.12) · Solar_PV_Kilowatt_and_Capacity_Reference.txt · Page 1

[Excerpt withheld: the fair-use viewing limit for this document has been reached for this session. See the source document itself for more.]

#2 Solar PV: Kilowatt & System Basics Reference (EIA/NREL, NEC 690.12) Page 3

0.240 ▼

[Excerpt withheld: the fair-use viewing limit for this document has been reached for this session. See the source document itself for more.]

Solar PV: Kilowatt & System Basics Reference (EIA/NREL, NEC 690.12) · Solar_PV_Kilowatt_and_Capacity_Reference.txt · Page 3

[Excerpt withheld: the fair-use viewing limit for this document has been reached for this session. See the source document itself for more.]

#3 UAD 3.6 / URAR (FNMA) Page 112

0.200 ▼

Dwelling Exterior Appendix F-1: URAR Reference Guide Page 112 of 375 Version 1.3 Heating System Type (Choose one or more) Allowable Answer Definition / Additional Guidance Passive…

UAD 3.6 / URAR (FNMA) · Appendix F-1 URAR Reference Guide v1.3.pdf · Page 112 · View at official source (fanniemae.com/uad) →

Dwelling Exterior Appendix F-1: URAR Reference Guide Page 112 of 375 Version 1.3 Heating System Type (Choose one or more) Allowable Answer Definition / Additional Guidance Passive Solar A system that uses solar energy to heat a fluid, either liquid or air, and then transfer the solar heat directly to an interior area or to a storage system for later use. Note: Solar panels that produce electricity are reported in the Energy Efficient and Green Features section (6.001), and not here. Radiant A system that supplies heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. Radiators A system that boils water in a central unit and moves steam to a radiator in an

#4 Solar PV: Components & Typical Installed Costs (NREL, LBNL, EnergySage, BloombergNEF) Page 2

0.196 ▼

section of this library. It doesn't address what a solar system adds to a home's appraised value — that depends on ownership status and local market evidence, and is covered in…

Solar PV: Components & Typical Installed Costs (NREL, LBNL, EnergySage, BloombergNEF) · Solar_PV_Components_and_Typical_Costs.txt · Page 2

section of this library. It doesn't address what a solar system adds to a home's appraised value — that depends on ownership status and local market evidence, and is covered in Solar PV: Real vs. Personal Property & Valuation. This file answers a more basic question a seller, buyer, or agent often asks first: what is this system actually made of, and what does something like it typically cost to install. Cost data here comes from national marketplace and government sources, updated annually — it describes national trends, not a quote for any specific house. Panel types and efficiency. The large majority of residential panels sold today are monocrystalline silicon, cut from a single silicon crystal, distinguished mainly by cell

#5 Solar PV: Components & Typical Installed Costs (NREL, LBNL, EnergySage, BloombergNEF) Page 16

0.138 ▼

as what a specific system is worth or what it will add to a specific home's price — that's the question covered, deliberately separately and with its own required methodology, in…

Solar PV: Components & Typical Installed Costs (NREL, LBNL, EnergySage, BloombergNEF) · Solar_PV_Components_and_Typical_Costs.txt · Page 16

as what a specific system is worth or what it will add to a specific home's price — that's the question covered, deliberately separately and with its own required methodology, in Solar PV: Real vs. Personal Property & Valuation elsewhere in this library. What this file is useful for is context: understanding roughly what a seller likely paid for their system, what equipment tier it represents, and why two homes with the same stated system size can have meaningfully different equipment underneath. If a specific number matters for a specific listing, the honest source is the seller's own installation paperwork and invoice, not a national average. Practical checklist. Ask the seller for the original invoice or contract rather than estimating

#6 Clark County Title 30 Unified Development Code and Zoning Page 343

0.086 ▼

holding company), lease or management. 2. Operated as a single business enterprise doing business under the same trade name or business theme using common or shared management…

Clark County Title 30 Unified Development Code and Zoning · OFFTitle30.EFF.03.05.26.pdf · Page 343

holding company), lease or management. 2. Operated as a single business enterprise doing business under the same trade name or business theme using common or shared management staff. 3. Operated in such a manner that the majority (51% or more) of the profits, or losses, of business on separate parcels, accrue to a common entity. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) SRI is an indicator of a surface’s ability to return solar energy to the atmosphere. SRI is measured on a scale of 1 to 100, where higher SRI surfaces are cooler than lower SRI surfaces under the same solar exposure, especially on a sunny day. Spandrel The radius within or adjacent to the right-of-way on the inside of two intersecting streets.

#7 Solar PV: Real vs. Personal Property & Valuation (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, UAD 3.6) Page 11

0.095 ▼

[Excerpt withheld: the fair-use viewing limit for this document has been reached for this session. See the source document itself for more.]

Solar PV: Real vs. Personal Property & Valuation (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, UAD 3.6) · Solar_PV_Real_vs_Personal_Property.txt · Page 11 · View at official source (guide.freddiemac.com) →

[Excerpt withheld: the fair-use viewing limit for this document has been reached for this session. See the source document itself for more.]

#8 HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 Page 660

0.109 ▼

D. Appraiser and Property Requirements for Title II Forward and Reverse Mortgages 12. Programs and Products Handbook 4000.1 634 Last Revised: 01/18/2023 d. Special Energy-Related…

HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 · Handbook_4000.1_Transmittal.pdf · Page 660 · View at official source (HUD.gov — SFH Handbook 4000.1) → · Last verified: 2026-10-01

D. Appraiser and Property Requirements for Title II Forward and Reverse Mortgages 12. Programs and Products Handbook 4000.1 634 Last Revised: 01/18/2023 d. Special Energy-Related Building Components (01/06/2018) Special Energy Components Definition A Special Energy System refers to any addition, alteration, or improvement to an existing or new Structure that is designed to utilize wind, geothermal, or solar energy to produce energy to support the habitability of the Structure. Standard Active, passive, and photovoltaic solar energy systems are permitted in this program. Solar collectors must be located where they will be free from natural or man-made obstructions to the sun. Special Energy Systems not part of the real estate must not be included in the appraised value. Required Analysis and

Chief Appraiser

Welcome to Chief Appraiser

Still Being Built — And That's Where You Come In

Why not just use AI?

Help Us Improve Chief Appraiser