--- title: Do Homes With Solar Panels Sell Faster? description: Whether solar increases the value of your property is one of the most frequent questions we get from participants in a Solarize program -- and for good reason. image: https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/hubfs/solar-income-tax-credit-1.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/homes-with-solar-sell-faster-and-15000-more-than-homes-without-solar#main-content) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [![Solar_CrowdSource_Hrzntl_Color_Logo](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Solar_CrowdSource_Hrzntl_Color_Logo.png?width=2175&height=1125&name=Solar_CrowdSource_Hrzntl_Color_Logo.png "Solar_CrowdSource_Hrzntl_Color_Logo")](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/) - [Solarize Campaigns](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/solarize-campaigns/) - [Active Campaigns](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/solarize-campaigns/#active) - [Archived Campaigns](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/solarize-campaigns/#archived) - [News](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com) - [Resources](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/resources/) - [Financial Incentives](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/incentives/) - [Federal Incentives](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/incentives/#federal-incentives) - [State and Utility Incentives](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/incentives/#state-utility-incentives) - [Solar for LMI Households](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/solar-for-lmi-households/) - [For HOAs](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/resources/#for-hoas) - [Participant Testimonials](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/participant-testimonials/) - [Solarize FAQs](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/resources/#faqs) - [About](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/about-us/) - [Contact](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/contact-us/) - [Start a Campaign](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/start-a-campaign/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com/privacy-policy/) - Search Search Search - [Community Solar Projects](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/community-solar-projects), - [solar](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/solar), - [solarize dunwoody](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/solarize-dunwoody), - [property value](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/property-value), - [home](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/home), - [value](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/value), - [energy](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/energy) # Homes with Solar Sell Faster and for about $15,000 More than Homes without Solar ![](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/hubfs/solar-income-tax-credit-1.jpg) - October 4, 2018 [Don Moreland](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/author/don-moreland) Updated: September 15, 2019 #### **Does solar improve property value? The evidence says, YES!** In our increasingly transient society, property owners are concerned about whether they will stay in their home long enough to recover their investment in solar energy. Luckily for us there are several studies and reports available to shed light on whether solar increases property value. But before diving straight into the reports it is helpful to review what solar is and does for your home. Solar generates electricity that you would otherwise need to purchase from somewhere else. In fact, solar generates more energy when we need it the most and when electricity from the utility costs the most -- during the hot summer months when air conditioners are blaring in the hot summer sun. Solar reduces the overall cost to operate and maintain the home because you are generating your own energy and purchasing less from the utility. Therefore, it makes common sense that solar would increase the value of your home and these studies and reports support that conclusion universally across several regions on the US, including our own. Now, on to the reports: ### Berkeley National Laboratory The most comprehensive report regarding solar resale value was conducted by the [Berkeley National Laboratory](http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2015/11/12/premium-for-solar-homes/), (“LBL”) funded by Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”) in 2015. > *“The appraised premiums also confirmed statistical modeling results from a large [Berkeley Lab study](http://emp.lbl.gov/publications/exploring-california-pv-home-premiums) conducted in 2013, which found that **buyers were willing to pay $15,000 more for a home** with the average-size solar photovoltaic system, or about four additional dollars per watt of solar power, though premiums for any individual home are market dependent and are likely smaller given currently falling installed solar prices.”*  > > ### Example: > > A 5 kilowatt (kW) solar system will offer 5,000 watts of power. LBL says that each watt of solar adds about $4 to a home’s value in California and about $3 per watt elsewhere. Thus, a home with solar should sell for about ($4 x 5,000W =) **$20,000** more in CA or still ($3 x 5,000W =) **$15,000** more outside of CA. These finding are [corroborated by NREL](https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/downloads/solar-homes-sell-premium) as follows, *“…solar panels are viewed as upgrades, just like a renovated kitchen or a finished basement, and home buyers across the country have been willing to pay a premium of about $15,000 for a home with an average-sized solar array. Additionally, there is evidence homes with solar panels sell faster than those without.”* ### Clark Howard, WSB Channel 2, Atlanta **Video:** Clark Howard sites same Berkeley National Labaratory study showing solar increases property value by about $15,000 ### Sandia National Laboratories Another report from Sandia National Laboratories confirms the study by Berkeley. That report, [*U.S. Solar Market Value Report – 1st Edition: Further Evidence that Solar Adds Value to Real Estate*](http://energy.sandia.gov/download/42359/)*, *looked at the sale of real estate with solar power in Arizona, California and Massachusetts and concluded that, indeed, solar does add value to a home’s real estate price. > *"Solar photovoltaic systems provide cost savings to the property owner in terms of avoided electricity costs that accrue over the system lifetime. From an investment standpoint, the equipment and the value of the energy generated can potentially increase the underlying property value." * The study used actual market data from real estate appraisers using the [PV Value tool](https://www.pvvalue.com/) from Energy Sense Finance, which was developed with Sandia. That way the researchers developed a market value for rooftop solar in relation to a property sale or refinance. ### Solar Energy Industries Association The Solar Energy Industries Association (“SEIA”) developed a [guide to valuing homes with solar energy systems](https://www.seia.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/SEIA%20Solar%20Valuation%20Guide%20-%20Nov%202017.pdf) for homeowners, appraisers, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, and other stakeholders in the residential housing market. There are three methodologies that should be considered when seeking the value of a residential solar system: income approach, cost approach, cost comparison approach. Ultimately, SEIA recommends using the income approach. > *“The income approach estimates the forward-looking value of the energy cost benefit. The other two mechanisms, while both valid, add complexities due to: federal, state and utility-specific incentives (which are generally applicable to initial installation only); the quality of the components and installation; and other factors…”* ### Zillow Research Not only can adding solar panels to a home save energy costs and help the environment, it also can potentially increase a home’s value, shows a [recent study by Zillow Research](https://www.zillow.com/research/solar-panels-house-sell-more-23798/). During the past year, homes with solar-energy systems sold for 4.1% more on average than comparable homes without solar power. For the median-valued home, that translates to an additional $9,274.   Even if you are not sure how long you will stay in your home, according to these studies, you will recover your investment when you sell your home. **Also note, the average premium that comes with solar, $15,000, is not discounted by the 30% federal tax credit or the 20%+ savings gained through a Solarize program.** Thus, not only will you get your full investment back when you sell your home, you will likely come out ahead. For more information about whether your property qualifies for a solarize program, visit [SolarCrowdSource.com](https://www.solarcrowdsource.com) or call us at 678.695.8750.   ---   **Other resources: ** - **Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:** [Selling into the sun: Price premium analysis of a multi-state dataset of solar homes](http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2015/01/13/berkeley-lab-illuminates-price-premiums-u-s-solar-home-sales/?utm_campaign=Solarize%20Dunwoody&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_UobPZUUoFdV23B34qCnbXROb1CF2yfU5hzQYrRZsFy5r4zt4Di0uNshFPMHjwMNUafKzH) - **New York Times:** [Appraising solar energy's value: Solar panels and home values](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/realestate/solar-panels-and-home-values.html?utm_campaign=Solarize%20Dunwoody&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_UobPZUUoFdV23B34qCnbXROb1CF2yfU5hzQYrRZsFy5r4zt4Di0uNshFPMHjwMNUafKzH) - **CNET.com: ECON 101:** [Solar panels increase home values](http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20088646-54/econ-101-solar-panels-increase-home-values/?utm_campaign=Solarize%20Dunwoody&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_UobPZUUoFdV23B34qCnbXROb1CF2yfU5hzQYrRZsFy5r4zt4Di0uNshFPMHjwMNUafKzH) - **SEIA: **[Download the SEIA Solar Valuation Guide](https://www.seia.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/SEIA%20Solar%20Valuation%20Guide%20-%20Nov%202017.pdf)   Blog Post ## Related Articles Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. [![](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/hubfs/Berkeley%20FINALCover_010915-231x300.jpg)](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/solar-enhances-property-values) [Community Solar Projects](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/community-solar-projects), [solar](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/solar), [solarize dunwoody](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/solarize-dunwoody), [property value](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/property-value), [home](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/home), [value](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/value), [energy](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/energy) ### [Solar Enhances Property Values](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/solar-enhances-property-values) November 9, 2017 Will solar panels increase the value of my property? It is clear that the answer is already a resounding ‘yes’, and the... [Read more](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/solar-enhances-property-values) [![](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/hubfs/tiered-pricing.png)](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/three-charts-that-show-now-is-the-best-time-to-go-solar) [Community Solar Projects](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/community-solar-projects), [solar](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/solar), [solarize dunwoody](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/solarize-dunwoody), [solarize](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/solarize), [tax credit](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/tax-credit), [incentives](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/incentives), [energy](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/energy), [evaluation](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/topic/evaluation) ### [Why Now is the Best Time to go Solar -- in Three Charts](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/three-charts-that-show-now-is-the-best-time-to-go-solar) October 5, 2018 You’ve heard about solar, you may know that the cost of solar has come down 70% since 2010 and that there is a 30% tax... [Read more](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/three-charts-that-show-now-is-the-best-time-to-go-solar) [![Commercial Vido Still](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/hubfs/Commercial%20Vido%20Still.png)](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/attention-commercial-property-owners-and-managers-did-you-know-now-is-the-best-time-to-invest-in-solar) ### [ATTENTION COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS AND MANAGERS: DID YOU KNOW NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO INVEST IN SOLAR?](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/attention-commercial-property-owners-and-managers-did-you-know-now-is-the-best-time-to-invest-in-solar) December 11, 2018 [Read more](https://blog.solarcrowdsource.com/attention-commercial-property-owners-and-managers-did-you-know-now-is-the-best-time-to-invest-in-solar) Check all articles Copyright © Solar CrowdSource | [Let's Go Electric - Join the movement of a cost-effective living environment.](https://www.letsgoelectric.com/)