Does solar PV increase the value of a house?

eyeofthetiger999

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?!

Exiled_Tyke

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.

Rodders53

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.

Reed_Richards

I don't recall that any of the regulars here have admitted to being an Estate Agent.  Perhaps you wouldn't?

Screwdriva

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.

zxzxzx

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

Screwdriva said:

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?     

Screwdriva

Martyn1981 said:

Screwdriva said:

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?     

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. 

Grumpy_chap

Martyn1981 said:

Screwdriva said:

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?     

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.

Exiled_Tyke

Grumpy_chap said:

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

Magnitio

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.