- The average three-bedroom home saves £454 a year on energy bills with solar panels
- Solar panels can increase your home’s value by up to 14%
- Reassure any potential buyers that maintenance on them is minimal
Solar panels installed on the roof of a new-build property – credit Solar Fast
Selling your home in the UK is not easy, and can take a long time. The value of your home will depend on how many bedrooms you have, how much work urgent renovation work is needed, and – with the price of energy these days – how energy efficient your home is.
Solar panels can increase the value of your home, thanks to the savings buyers will make on their energy bills. The average three-bedroom home, for example, is looking at an annual saving of around £454 on their energy bills.
Solar panels can also attract potential buyers who are looking to cut their carbon footprint.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about selling a home with solar panels. You’ll find out about increased value, promoting your home to potential buyers, and whether you can take your solar panels with you when you move.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
The short answer is ‘yes’. Multiple studies have confirmed that solar panels increase the value of your home, although by how much depends on your location.
A recent study by home improvement experts BOXT found that solar panels can increase your home’s value by up to 14%.
This value was on the lower end for south west England, but on the higher side for the Midlands.
What’s more, 65% of Brits said they would buy or rent a property if it had solar panels, according to The Eco Experts National Home Energy Survey 2024. Only 4% of the public would be very unlikely to purchase a property if it had pre-installed solar panels.
To read more about public opinion on solar panels and other green technology, download the NHES report.
Solar panels can also help improve your home’s EPC rating, meaning any new owners will have less work to do to in order to reduce their energy bills in the long term. This makes your home more attractive to buyers, and is something your estate agent should be pushing when it comes to viewings and making a sale.
National Home Energy Survey 2024
Read the full findings from this year’s report by downloading the PDF here
Download the reportIs it easier to sell my house if it has solar panels?
Although the percentage of people in the UK looking to purchase a property with pre-installed solar panels is slightly down from 2023 (69%), 65% are still interested.
There is a stronger inclination from members of the public to install new systems rather than buying a house with fully owned solar panels, and the likelihood of purchasing solar panels in the next 12 months has risen from 10% to 12% YoY.
It is still easier to sell a house with solar panels, with only 4% of people very unlikely to buy a property if it had solar panels on the roof.
To read more, download our 2024 National Home Energy Survey.
How do I promote my solar panels to potential buyers?
You should promote solar panels in the same way you would with any other stand-out feature of your home, whether that be a new kitchen, bathroom, windows or roof. Make sure your agent takes clear pictures of the panels on your roof, your inverters and your solar battery, if you have one.
Maybe your solar panels installer took some pictures of you panels from the scaffolding or a drone after installation. These will have been taken when the panels were shiny and new, so would be good to include in your particulars when listing your house online with sites like rightmove and Zoopla.
You should also make sure your estate agent has all of the information they need about your solar panels, so they can answer any questions that prospective buyers might have.
This includes how long ago they were installed, whether they are still covered by any warranties, and the overall benefits you’ve seen since installation, particularly the savings you’ve made on energy bills, as well as money you’ve made through the Smart Export Guarantee.
All of this applies if you’re selling privately too.
Reassure any potential buyers that maintenance on solar panels is minimal and can last longer than their lifespan of 25-30 years, if they are looked after properly.
Once the sale is completed, provide them with all your installation information, contact info and maintenance instructions so that they are fully prepped for the benefits of solar savings.
Solar panel installation on a new-build property – credit Solar Fast
Can I take my solar panels when I move house?
Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. It’s extremely expensive and could undermine your solar panels warranty, especially if you use a different installer to the one who originally installed them.
If you can’t live without your solar panels and want to take them with you, your first point of contact should be the original installer. This can be a challenge if the original company is no longer in operation because you’ll need to decide if it’s worth voiding your warranty with the panels.
What’s more, you’ll likely need to install scaffolding, which can be a deterrent to potential buyers.
The panels that you had installed even a few years ago also won’t be the latest solar panel technology, so it’s worth weighing up if it’s the right choice, particularly as advances in solar panel efficiency are happening all of the time.
Also, if you’re using the now expired Feed-In tariff, this will likely stop when you remove your panels.
When making your decision, it’s worth thinking of your solar panels as you would your boiler or heat pump.
For a free quote on solar panel installation in a new property, simply fill in our form and a trusted installer will be in touch.
Things to consider
In addition to everything mentioned so far, here are some additional things to consider:
- Age of solar panels – If your solar panels are coming to the end of their lifespan, this could be a hindrance to potential buyers. Most warranties last for 25 years, so be transparent about the panel’s age to potential buyers so they’re aware. You might also want to consider recycling your solar panels – there are various companies that offer this service.
- Local solar installation prices – Solar panel prices have fallen significantly over the years, but having them installed is still a significant investment, with the average UK solar installation costing just under £9000 in 2024. While there are solar panel grants and funding schemes available, many prospective buyers will be attracted by the fact that this cost has already been absorbed paid by someone else, and they will be able to benefit from the energy bill, SEG and carbon footprint saving without having to have paid the upfront costs.
- Location – The location and direction of your solar panels is very important. They don’t necessarily need direct sunlight to work, but it does help make them more efficient. Make sure they aren’t covered by nearby trees. If they are, you’ll likely need to fix that prior to selling.
- SEG – If you currently receive payments from the Smart Export Guarantee, these will stop when you move, which can impact finances if you rely on them.
- Not everyone likes the look of solar panels – Despite the benefits of solar panels, not everyone likes the look of them. If this is the case with your prospective buyer, there isn’t much you can do. Be prepared that it will be a dealbreaker for some. That said, for others they will be seen as an attractive, future-proofing and money saving feature.
Should I get solar panels before selling my property?
Solar panels can increase your home’s value and can be a good selling point for potential buyers, but you need to think hard if it’s the right decision for you if you are looking to move house in the near future. You might decide that selling your house is stressful enough without throwing a solar panel installation into the mix.
Solar panels are a long-term investment that will provide up to 25-years of reduced electricity bills, and you will break even on your investment within 10-15 years – depending on the size of your installation, and whether or not you also paid for a solar battery installation. With that in mind, it’s unlikely that you will see a return on your solar panel investment if you plan to move out in the near future.
Our advice would be to write down the pros and cons of installing solar panels before selling your home, and determine if it’s the right move for you. You might be better off saving your money and make the investment in solar panels for your new home instead.
Summary
- Promote your solar panels in the same way you would with any ‘cool features’ of your home. Take pictures and ensure they are used in any official listings.
- Once the sale is completed, provide them with all your installation information, contact info and a list of maintenance so they are fully prepped.
- When making your decision, it’s worth thinking of your solar panels as you would your boiler or heat pump.
- Solar panels can increase your home’s value and be a good selling point to potential buyers.
