The Impact of Residential Solar on a Home’s Selling Price
Spring is typically the busiest home-selling season of the year. If you’re a homeowner with residential solar panels (or if you’re thinking about getting them before you list your home), you may be wondering how they will affect the sale price of your home.
The answer will probably come as good news: research consistently shows that solar systems that are owned outright tend to increase home resale value, often significantly. Here’s what the data says and what homeowners planning to sell this spring should know about the impact of solar panels on a home’s selling price.
The Numbers Are Compelling
A 2025 study by SolarReviews found that homes with solar panels sold for an average of 6.9% more than comparable homes without them. Even better, this number is up from the 4.1% figure reported by Zillow in an earlier study.
Let’s review the number to get a better sense of what this means. On a home valued at $400,000, we’re talking about a potential premium of nearly $28,000. Research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory further found that buyers are willing to pay approximately $5,911 more per kilowatt of solar installed, meaning a 6 kW system alone could add more than $35,000 in perceived value.
These aren’t small numbers we’re talking about, and they represent a genuine financial advantage for solar homeowners entering the spring home selling market.
Owned Systems vs. Leased Systems
There is one important distinction that every solar homeowner planning to sell should understand. The value increases noted above really only apply to owned solar systems. This means, solar systems that are not leased panels or those under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
In fact, leased systems may actually complicate a home sale. This is because the buyer must either assume the lease, or the seller must pay it off at closing. If your panels are leased and you’re planning to sell, be sure to talk to your installer and your real estate agent well in advance of listing.
If your system is owned outright or financed through a solar loan, you’re in a much stronger position and can market the panels as a genuine asset. For a deeper look at the financing options that lead to full ownership, our post on what financing options are available when switching to residential solar is worth reviewing before you make any decisions.
What Factors Affect How Much Value Solar Adds
Not every solar home will realize the same premium, and location matters significantly. Real estate markets with high electricity rates and strong solar adoption, for example, tend to reward solar homeowners more at resale. The age and condition of the system also play a role, as buyers are more enthusiastic about newer installations with long warranty coverage remaining.
System size, local net metering policies, and whether state incentives are available to the new buyer can all influence how much a buyer is willing to pay. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, these variables mean that solar’s impact on value is best assessed market by market rather than with a single national figure.
Installing Before You List: Is It Worth It?
If you don’t yet have solar but are planning to sell this spring, the timeline is tight for a full installation. Most systems take four to eight weeks from contract to activation. However, for homeowners planning to sell in late spring or summer, there may still be a window.
The key question is whether the added home value and reduced utility bills during your remaining time in the home justify the upfront cost. For many homeowners, especially those in high-rate utility markets, the math works out favorably.
For a complete breakdown of what solar costs and returns look like in 2026, this guide on how solar panels affect your home’s resale value is one of the most thorough resources available on the topic. Spring is a great time to sell — and a solar home gives you a meaningful edge. Enter your zip code below to calculate your potential savings and connect with a qualified installer in your area.