Section 1A. As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings:

''Permit granting authority'', the board of appeals or zoning administrator.

''Solar access'', the access of a solar energy system to direct sunlight.

''Solar energy system'', a device or structural design feature, a substantial purpose of which is to provide daylight for interior lighting or provide for the collection, storage and distribution of solar energy for space heating or cooling, electricity generating, or water heating.

''Special permit granting authority'', shall include the board of selectmen, city council, board of appeals, planning board, or zoning administrators as designated by zoning ordinance or by-law for the issuance of special permits.

''Transfer of development rights'', the process by which the owner of a parcel may convey development rights, extinguishing those rights on the first parcel and where the owner of another parcel may obtain and exercise those rights in addition to the development rights already existing on that second parcel.

''Transfer of development rights zoning'' or ''TDR zoning'', zoning that authorizes transfer of development rights by permitting landowners in specific preservation areas identified as sending areas to sell their development rights to landowners in specific development districts identified as receiving areas.

''Zoning'', ordinances and by-laws, adopted by cities and towns to regulate the use of land, buildings and structures to the full extent of the independent constitutional powers of cities and towns to protect the health, safety and general welfare of their present and future inhabitants.

''Zoning administrator'', a person designated by the board of appeals pursuant to section thirteen to assume certain duties of said board.