Selling a home with solar
Owned, financed or leased, solar changes what happens at closing. Estimate where you stand.
Studies range widely; appraisers often credit less than sellers hope.
At closing
−$13,986
Possible added value of about $11,760 minus a loan payoff of about $25,746. Value is never guaranteed: it depends on appraisers and buyers.
Get ready
- Gather the contract, warranties, permits, the interconnection approval and 12 months of production data.
- Ask the lender for a payoff letter, and whether a UCC-1 filing needs to be released before closing.
- Give buyers actual bills from before and after solar; real savings persuade more than estimates.
The short version
Owned systems may add value, though appraisals vary. Loans usually must be paid off at closing. Leases and PPAs must be transferred to a buyer who qualifies, or bought out.
Questions
Do solar panels make a house harder to sell?
Owned systems rarely do. Leased systems can, because the buyer must qualify for and accept the lease.