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This Just In: Buyers Want Solar Panels

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RISMedia

 

A new report funded by the Department of Energy says that homebuyers have consistently been willing to pay more for a property with owned solar photovoltaic systems (PV), regardless of home type or market.

In English, the results confirm what early adopters have always believed: solar makes cents!
solar_paneled_home
Aside from renewable energy benefits, those who own their home’s PV system will receive approximately $1.26/watt in tax credits. Additionally, buyers can save time and money by avoiding certain steps needed to install the system.

If all goes as planned, the DOE estimates that 30 million homes nationwide will have solar paneling by 2050. As of 2014, more than half a million homes in the U.S. have gone solar.

Whether you want to carve out a green niche or just prepare for the inevitable, check out Jan Green's tips here.

Are you selling solar in your market?

 

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The preceding was adapted from RISMedia.com.

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Comments(14)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

A promise of profitibility in 35 years is not going to be very attractive to many home buyers.

Jan 21, 2015 10:21 PM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Most home buyers will like getting free electricity, common sense prevails.

Jan 21, 2015 10:46 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Suzanne De Vita This I believe, particularly here in Southern California, where is is common place to see home, after home with solar panels. I would love to see my electric meter running backwards!

Jan 21, 2015 10:49 PM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning Suzanne,

If the return on is there I am all for it. With the amount of sunshine here it is a hard sell.

Make yourself a great day.

Jan 21, 2015 11:19 PM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Suzanne, it would be great to see all new construction with solar panels but then again, we know not every homeowner may want that.

Jan 22, 2015 01:39 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Suzanne. Solar panels on a home is like electric cars. Some will see it as a good idea, but I don't see it as a huge success.

Jan 22, 2015 08:28 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Suzanne -- can't say I've had any clients asking for this as yet, but I'm sure the day is coming. One issue might be if HOA's need to approve these.

Jan 23, 2015 10:34 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

It is a good idea but with the cost of solar panels you break even on the gains.

An I wrong?

Jan 24, 2015 01:46 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Suzanne it is becoming more and more prevalent in my market. Ten years ago you could hardly find a home with it now it is becoming very noticeable.Endre

Jan 27, 2015 09:53 AM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Suzanne.  These solar panels are going to be an interesting problem for appraisers and title companies.

Jan 27, 2015 08:21 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Suzanne, for my rural home and office I have invested in a solar system which works well during the summer, but during the winter snow and shorter days do have a significant effect.

For my urban homes however the electricity is much less expensive so these are not worth the investment.

If I were in a southern climate, especially in the Southwest, it would be foolish not to make the investment.

Feb 01, 2015 08:05 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Suzanne, here we have companies that are leasing systems to homeowners, and when they sell, the lease conveys with the house - and the leases are complicated and expensive.  Consumers need to be smart when they buy a home with solar systems. 

Feb 03, 2015 11:30 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

The profitability of solar panels is very elusive except for those who stay in a home many years more than the typical family. 

When we see builders including solar panels in new construction, we may be closer to the reality of the economics.

Feb 06, 2015 04:23 AM
Suzanne Otto
Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA
Your Montgomery County PA home stager

Hi Suzanne! 

We see some houses with solar panels, but not many. With most big changes like this, it'll take a while for it to catch on and be more mainstream. 

Feb 15, 2015 10:08 PM