Report: Solar Panels Boost Home Prices

Photo: Amy Standen

A new study from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab could help California’s homeowners decide whether or not to “go solar.” Researchers found that on average, homeowners who recently installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels recouped most or all of their investment when they sold their homes.

“A house that has a PV system compared to a house that doesn’t have a PV system is expected to sell for more,” said Ben Hoen, the lead researcher on the study and a principal research associate at Berkeley Lab. “This is for systems that are relatively new – between 1.5 to 2.5 years old.”

Neal DeSnoo, an energy program officer at the City of Berkeley Office of Energy and Sustainable Development, said the average Berkeley homeowner keeps their home for only six years, so he suspects many hesitate to make such a costly investment. This study, he said, may sway their opinion.

“The fact that solar installations are reflected in home values is important,” DeSnoo said. “It would make people more willing to make an up front investment if they know they could get the cash out when they do sell it.”

DeSnoo said the study is a step towards reducing greenhouse gases for Berkeley, which has a goal of reducing emission 33 percent by 2020.

Billi Romain, the sustainability coordinator for the Berkeley Office of Energy and Sustainable Development, said she hopes the study will also sway home appraisers.

“It all depends on the property appraisers, whether or not they acknowledge the property value of solar panels,” said Romain. “If a study comes out that says there is a premium for solar, appraisers are more likely to accept that.”

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Report: Solar Panels Boost Home Prices 2 February,2018Shuka Kalantari

2 thoughts on “Report: Solar Panels Boost Home Prices”

  1. Once again, the question of geoengineering/chem trails/solar radiation management arises — After the aerosol spray programs of white grid lines blend to become white haze — we are left with SOLAR DIMMING. Why is the solar industry not questioning this? Who profits? Who authorizes? The capacity of solar panels is greatly reduced. Coal and oil industry (and nuclear) want people on the grid — probably. Solar should be on every building; spraying halted!!!!

  2. A house that has a PV system compared to a house that doesn’t have a PV system is expected to sell for more – see what can House Solar Panels can do.

    Great post. Keep sharing.

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Author

Shuka Kalantari

Shuka Kalantari is a Bay Area journalist reporting on health, food, culture and immigrant communities in California and internationally. She's reported for Public Radio International’s The World, BBC World News Service’s Outlook, Philosophy Talk, Vice Magazine. Shuka is also a frequent contributor to KQED Public Media. You can follow her @skalantari on Twitter and Instagram.

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