Solar Panels Increase Home Values

Posted On: Thursday, April 21, 2011 - 4:30pm | Posted By: Diane Hourany
Topics: Community Information | Tags: electricity savings, energy savings, home values, San Francisco, solar panel

A question often posed by buyers and sellers alike: Does installing solar panels increase the value of a home? Finally, a newly released study shows that for a home with a typical 3.1 kilowatt solar system, the resale value is boosted by $17,000 above the cost of a comparable home without solar panels.

"On average, folks have effectively got out of the home sale the same value or the comparable value that they put in," said Ryan Wiser, one of the report's authors. That's in addition to saving on their electricity bills.

A client of mine who bought a condo with solar panels recently reported that her PG&E bill for the entire year was a little over $30.

The city of San Francisco has budgeted $5mm through June of this year for rebates on solar panels. You can contact

Angela Patane
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
1155 Market St., 4th floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 551-4318
E-Mail: solarincentive@sfwater.org
Web Site: http://sfwater.org/home.cfm

Or click here for more information.

To read the SFGate article about the value of solar panels, click here.

Diane Hourany

What makes me different from a “traditional agent” –most agents do business as if they will never see or hear from you again.
» More