October 11, 2018 | By RGR Marketing Blog

Can You Take Your Home’s Solar Panels With You When You Move?

One of the most popular questions solar installers get from clients is – what should I do with my solar panels when moving to a new home? Once a homeowner gets comfortable with their solar system, they can be hard-pressed to move into a home without one, but this is a common concern.

The reality is, the answer to the question isn’t so cut and dry. There are several things a homeowner needs to consider when choosing their new home if they want to either get a new solar system installed or have their old one transplanted. Here are some things you can advise your solar clients to think about.

Market Value of the Home (With Solar)

A home that has solar is highly sought out by buyers. Therefore, it typically has a higher market value than homes without solar. For instance, in California, homes with solar are valued over $18,000 higher than non-solar homes. Depending on the seller’s goals, they must decide whether they want to get the best price possible for their home, or if they’re okay settling for less if they take their solar system with them.

New Home Location

Where is the new home located? Is it located in an area where it receives abundant sunshine or is the property covered with trees? If the latter is the case, then the homeowner will have to invest a lot of time and money clearing away the trees to fully enjoy the benefits of their solar system.

Warranty Concerns

Installing solar on a home is an involved process, and removing solar panels is equally as involved. As a result, removing the solar panels from the roof will void any warranty the homeowner has on them. And, the more the panels that are moved, the risk is higher for them becoming damaged.

Local Rules and Regulations

Every municipality has different building codes and different tax incentives for going solar. This is especially the case if the seller is moving to a new city or state. Before bringing their solar system with them, they need to see if they will qualify for any incentives by installing a used solar power system, as well as find out about local zoning laws and permit requirements.

Potential Damage to the Home Being Sold

Solar panels are typically firmly secured to a roof. So when they’re removed, the roof will often need to be repaired. Over time, the exposed shingles will fade to a lighter color than those covered by the panels. Small holes will also be left behind by the anchors used to secure the panels in place. Ultimately, these issues can make it more difficult to sell the home, and if it does sell, then it will usually sell for significantly less.

What About Leased Solar Panels?

Leasing solar panels is a common practice among those who don’t want to pay outright for them upfront. But, what happens to the panels if the homeowner who is leasing them decides to sell their home? The seller can either ask the solar company that installed them to move the system to their new home, or discuss the lease with the buyer.

If the seller wants to leave the panels in place, then the buyer will have to apply to take over the lease contract. To do so, however, the new homeowner will need to meet the requirements of the company’s credit requirements. If the buyer can’t qualify, then the seller can opt to take the panels with them or pay the balance due on the lease and leave them in place.

Are you ready to find more solar customers now that it’s the fall season? Get in touch with RGR today; we’ll help your sales team out when you buy high quality solar leads today.

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