Selling a house with solar panels installed is generally not more difficult than selling a conventional property, and can actually be advantageous in today’s energy-conscious market, though success largely depends on whether you own the panels outright or have them under a lease agreement. With rising energy costs and growing environmental awareness, many buyers now view solar photovoltaic systems as a valuable asset rather than a deterrent when house hunting.
Houses with solar panels typically sell at a premium of 6.1% to 7.1% compared to similar properties without them. More conservative estimates indicate a premium of 0.9% to 2%, which translates to an additional £2,682 to £5,962 on the average UK home value of £298,083 (as of December 2024). In certain regions, solar installations can boost property values by up to 14%, with the Midlands seeing the highest benefits.
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Is It Harder to Sell a House with Solar Panels?
The ownership status of your solar panels fundamentally affects how easily you can sell your property.
Fully Owned Solar Panels
When you own your solar panels outright, they typically increase your property’s attractiveness and value. The average three-bedroom home saves approximately £450 annually on energy bills with solar panels. Potential buyers often view this as a significant advantage, especially with continuing high energy prices.
Sarah from Crawley discovered this benefit: “When selling my three-bedroom detached home, highlighting the £450 annual savings from our fully owned solar system helped secure a quick sale above asking price.” If you’re facing challenges selling your property with owned solar panels, Property Saviour can provide a guaranteed sale with their reliable cash house buyer service.
Leased Solar Panels
Selling a property with leased solar panels presents more complications:
Mortgage lenders may be reluctant to approve financing for homes with leased solar systems
Identifying the lease owner can be difficult if the original company has gone into liquidation
Buyers must qualify for and agree to take over the lease agreement
Early exit fees for terminating leases can reach tens of thousands of pounds
Michael from Bath encountered this problem: “My house sale fell through twice because buyers’ mortgage applications were rejected due to my leased solar panels. The lease transfer process was too complicated for traditional buyers.” Michael eventually found relief through Property Saviour, who purchased his home directly as a reliable cash house buyer, removing the complications of lease transfers.
Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?
The impact of solar panels on home value varies by location, system age, and ownership status. Here’s what market data indicates:
| Source | Reported Value Increase |
|---|---|
| UK Academic Research | 6.1% – 7.1% |
| Industry Reports | 0.9% – 2% |
| Energy Market Analysis | Up to 14% |
| Regional Studies | 14% (up to 38% in some parts of England) |
These figures demonstrate that solar panels generally add value, though the exact amount varies significantly depending on multiple factors including location and system specifications. Areas with higher sunshine hours and energy costs tend to see greater value increases. The Midlands appears to benefit most from solar installations according to recent market trends.
What Buyers Look For in Solar-Equipped Homes
When marketing a home with solar panels, emphasise these appealing aspects:
Reduced energy bills (average savings of £450 annually for a typical three-bedroom home)
Improved EPC rating, making the property more energy efficient
Environmental benefits and reduced carbon footprint
Potential income from Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme or existing Feed-in Tariff payments
Minimal maintenance requirements for the system
Essential Documentation When Selling a House with Solar Panels
When preparing to sell, gather these critical documents:
Installation company details
Electrical installation certificate
Planning permission/building regulation consent
Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate
Warranties for system components
Details of the leasing company (if applicable)
Freeholder permission documentation (if a leasehold property)
Having this paperwork readily available makes the selling process much smoother and instills confidence in potential buyers.
What Happens to Solar Panels When You Sell Your House?
Typically, solar panels remain with the property when sold, as they’re considered fixtures. If you own the panels outright, ownership transfers to the new buyer upon completion of the sale.
For leased panels, the lease agreement typically transfers to the new property owner, who must qualify for and accept the terms. Always check your specific lease agreement, as some may include restrictions on property transfers or require consent from the panel owner.
Karen from Coventry learned this lesson: “I assumed my solar panel lease would simply transfer to new owners, but discovered they needed to qualify financially and approve the terms. This delayed our sale by months.” If you’re facing similar complications, a property buying company like Property Saviour that offers a guaranteed house sale might be your best solution.
Buying a House with Fully Owned Solar Panels UK
If you’re on the buying side of a solar-equipped property transaction, here’s what to investigate:
Age and condition of the system
Warranty status and transferability
Expected remaining lifespan of components
Historical performance data and energy generation
Maintenance history and requirements
Ask the seller to provide MCS certification and all system documentation. Request information about any maintenance issues they’ve experienced and verify that all components are functioning properly.
How Does the Installation of Solar Panels Affect Property’s Value?
The ownership structure of solar panels significantly impacts property value:
Owned Solar Panels:
Generally add value to the property (0.9% to 14% depending on market conditions)
Provide immediate energy savings for new owners
Have no ongoing lease obligations
Transfer completely to new owners without complications
Leased Solar Panels:
May negatively impact property value due to the lease obligation
Create potential mortgage approval complications
Require buyers to qualify for and take over the lease
May have hefty early termination fees if the buyer doesn’t want to assume the lease
Property experts note that while owned panels typically add some value, the increase rarely matches the full installation cost: “In most cases a home with solar panels will be worth more than one without panels. But the added value will not surpass the cost of installation.”
What Happens to Solar Panels When You Move House?
When moving, you generally have two options regarding your solar panels:
Option 1: Leave them with the property
This is the most common approach as solar panels are typically considered fixtures. The value they add can often be reflected in your asking price.
Option 2: Take them with you
While technically possible, this is generally not recommended because:
Removing and reinstalling panels is expensive
The process may void warranties
Panels are designed specifically for your current roof
Removal can cause roof damage requiring repairs
Many homeowners have observed: “Taking the solar panels wouldn’t work if I were to take the inverter with me, and that would be problematic as the buyer would only find out when it’s too late.”
Is a Solar Lease Really That Bad?
Solar leases aren’t inherently problematic, but they create additional complexities when selling your home. Key considerations include:
Lease terms (especially duration and exit conditions)
Monthly payment amounts versus energy savings
Transfer requirements for new owners
Buyer perception and mortgage lender policies
Homeowners often report: “Without knowing who owns the Solar Panels and if the roof is leased, buyers can face serious complications, so it’s in the seller’s interest to sort this out as soon as possible.”
Others share cautionary tales: “I tracked a house with leased solar panels. It sold in June, but the sale fell through in November. It was relisted straight away and still remained unsold months later.”
If you’re struggling to sell a home with a solar lease, you might benefit from working with a cash buyer. Property Saviour specialises in purchasing properties with complications like solar leases, providing homeowners with a reliable solution when traditional sales become challenging.
Which is Better to Sell a House, With Solar Panels or Without?
The answer depends on several factors:
Better with solar panels when:
The panels are fully owned and relatively new
They’re high-quality systems with good warranties
You’re in an area where solar is highly valued
Energy costs are high in your region
The system has a proven track record of performance
Potentially better without when:
The panels are leased with unfavourable terms
The system is old or poorly maintained
Your area has low adoption of solar technology
The panels are visually unappealing or poorly positioned
Market data shows that 65% of Brits would buy or rent a property with solar panels, while only 4% would be very unlikely to consider such a property. This suggests most buyers view solar panels positively, provided there are no complicated lease arrangements.
Can you sell a house with solar panels?
Selling a house with solar panels doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when the panels are owned outright. The key is providing complete information to potential buyers and highlighting the financial and environmental benefits.
For homes with leased panels, be transparent about the terms and prepare for a potentially longer selling process. If you’re facing difficulties selling due to solar panel complications, remember that property buying companies like Property Saviour specialise in purchasing homes with such challenges. As a reliable cash house buyer, they can provide a guaranteed sale when traditional routes prove difficult.
Whether you’re in Penzance or Aberdeen reaching out to Property Saviour could be your solution to selling a house with solar panels quickly and without the usual complications of the property market.
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