Does solar PV increase the value of a house?

Hi everyone.
I used to have solar pv in my previous house and I thought it increased the value of a house.  Now I'm not sure.

In my opinion, it may increase the value of low value house but for a high value house, I don't think it makes a difference.

Is the value to a house different if a battery is also installed?

What are people honest opinion?  Are there any estate agents in the house?!
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Comments

  • Exiled_Tyke
    Exiled_Tyke Posts: 1,317 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 18 September 2023 at 3:32PM
    Historically I don't think PV has added to house values. Apparently most buyers don't understand what they are getting or how it will benefit them so in the past have not been prepared to pay for it. I suppose fear of the hassle of changing all the contracts over won't help either.   It may have changed now but like many other home improvements it's often the case that you don't get a return.  Simililary you can spend a fortune on house inslulation but I doubt many buyers would care less, until they realise what they've got.
    Install 28th Nov 15, 3.3kW, (11x300LG), SolarEdge, SW. W Yorks.
    Install 2: Sept 19, 600W SSE
    Solax 6.3kWh battery
  • Rodders53
    Rodders53 Posts: 2,582 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Some hate the look of em (and some installs are poor so look awful) and so it might even reduce the house value.

    Same way as some buyers will refuse oil heating, electric heating and heat pumps. Or no off street parking.

    Other buyers will be seeking out solar, proximity to schools or shops or xxxxx.

    You obviously were not "I must have solar panels" when looking for the house you have purchased recently so you know better than many.
  • I don't recall that any of the regulars here have admitted to being an Estate Agent.  Perhaps you wouldn't?
    Reed
  • Screwdriva
    Screwdriva Posts: 1,407 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 18 September 2023 at 4:23PM
    Have a full read of this report. It is the most comprehensive report done in the UK to date, and spans different property types and use cases.

    Bear in mind, the report was finalized before the energy crisis/ Ukraine war, which have only served to amplify its findings. On speaking to London realtors, anecdotal feedback has been that properties with A/B EPC scores tend to sell easier and for a premium. Not sure if that will be experienced in your neck of the woods. 

    On that note, I am currently helping refurbish a semi-detached house in Dulwich with the goal of achieving an EPC A rating prior to sale. In-roof solar, bi-facial panels, Vaillant AroTherm+ heat pump, triple glazing & top shelf insulation etc. I should be able to report back on how this translated to a a premium in the property's value in 6 months or so.
    -  10 x 400w LG + 6 x 550W SHARP BiFacial Panels + SE 3680 HD Wave Inverter + SE Optimizers. SE London.
    -  Triple aspect. (22% ENE/ 33% SSE/ 45% WSW)
    -  Viessmann 200-W on Advanced Weather Comp. (the most efficient gas boiler sold)

    Feel free to DM me if I can help with any energy saving!
  • zxzxzx
    zxzxzx Posts: 80 Forumite
    10 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Historically probably not in my opinion. 
    However as above, the energy crisis along with governmental pressure for EV’s and a wider understanding of climate change will have an impact. If I were selling I would make my estate agent major on the savings from PV & batteries.
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 15,193 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 18 September 2023 at 6:12PM
    In-roof solar, bi-facial panels, 
    I know you're a big fan of bi-facial, but that stumped me for a while - then it clicked, a translucent roof skin/tub for the in-roof panels, with high power lights running off PV generation, in the loft to increase generation ...... am I close?   ;)   B)
    Mart. Cardiff. 8.72 kWp PV systems (2.12 SSW 4.6 ESE & 2.0 WNW). 20kWh battery storage. Two A2A units for cleaner heating. Two BEV's for cleaner driving.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • In-roof solar, bi-facial panels, 
    I know you're a big fan of bi-facial, but that stumped me for a while - then it clicked, a translucent roof skin/tub for the in-roof panels, with high power lights running off PV generation, in the loft to increase generation ...... am I close?   ;)   B)
    We (clearly) lack your creativity!

    In-roof 420W black panels on the front of the house (aesthetic requirement) to match the roof tiles. Bi-facials on the rear fiberglass roof and extension painted with Solar Reflective paint to maximize generation. 
    -  10 x 400w LG + 6 x 550W SHARP BiFacial Panels + SE 3680 HD Wave Inverter + SE Optimizers. SE London.
    -  Triple aspect. (22% ENE/ 33% SSE/ 45% WSW)
    -  Viessmann 200-W on Advanced Weather Comp. (the most efficient gas boiler sold)

    Feel free to DM me if I can help with any energy saving!
  • Grumpy_chap
    Grumpy_chap Posts: 17,685 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    In-roof solar, bi-facial panels, 
    I know you're a big fan of bi-facial, but that stumped me for a while - then it clicked, a translucent roof skin/tub for the in-roof panels, with high power lights running off PV generation, in the loft to increase generation ...... am I close?   ;)   B)
    OK, so I don't know one kind of solar panel from another but it must be very inefficient to use a solar panel to create electricity to run a UV lamp to illuminate a solar panel.  

    Anyway, back to the OP's question, I doubt that solar would increase the value of a house but may make it more sellable.
    One big word of caution though.  My Niece was buying a house about two years back and pulled out of the purchase because the mortgage company would not mortgage the property with the solar panels in situ.  This was not actually anything to do with the solar panels but the legal agreement around the solar install which was one of those "rent-a-roof" schemes.  I don't know the details but there were some complexities so the whole thing made the property un-mortgageable, even after involving a broker instead of regular high street lenders.  I have no idea whether that is common.

  • OK, so I don't know one kind of solar panel from another but it must be very inefficient to use a solar panel to create electricity to run a UV lamp to illuminate a solar panel.  


    That was Martyn's joke

    Install 28th Nov 15, 3.3kW, (11x300LG), SolarEdge, SW. W Yorks.
    Install 2: Sept 19, 600W SSE
    Solax 6.3kWh battery
  • Magnitio
    Magnitio Posts: 1,157 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Some large £1M+ houses near me where owners have recently had big solar installations. A couple of them look great, black panels, centrally located on the roof with hidden cabling. However, there is one that has panels that are not central to the roof (which looks odd) and another that has panels that are spread over three sections of the roof and it looks a mess. I'm sure for people spending this kind of money on a house, aesthetics are quite important and poor layout will negatively affect valuation. However, having a neat 8kWp installation that can charge their Porsche or Tesla and provides a low EPC rating will have a definite benefit.
    6.4kWp (16 * 400Wp REC Alpha) facing ESE + 5kW Huawei inverter + 10kWh Huawei battery. Buckinghamshire.
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