Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value in 2026?
Yes — owned solar reliably increases home value, and the research is consistent. But it depends on ownership, your local rates, and documentation. Here's the 2026 picture.
Yes — solar panels increase home value, and the research is surprisingly consistent. But the size of the bump depends on how you paid for the system, where you live, and whether you own the panels. Here's the honest 2026 picture.
What the data says
Multiple studies (including work from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Zillow) have found that homes with owned solar sell for more than comparable homes without it — often a premium in the low-to-mid five figures, and sometimes a faster sale. The logic is simple: buyers see lower (or near-zero) electric bills baked into the home.
The ownership catch
This is the big one. Owned solar (cash or loan) adds value because it transfers to the buyer free and clear. A leased system or PPA doesn't add the same value — and can complicate a sale, because the buyer has to qualify for and assume the contract. If resale value matters to you, ownership matters. (We compare all four options here: lease vs PPA vs loan vs cash.)
What drives the size of the bump
- Local electricity rates — the higher your area's rates, the more a buyer values not paying them.
- System age and warranty — newer panels with transferable warranties are worth more.
- Documentation — keeping your production data, permits, and warranty paperwork makes the value easy for an appraiser to credit.
The 2026 nuance
With the federal tax credit gone for buyers (details here), upfront cost is higher — but the home-value and bill-savings case is unchanged, and rising utility rates only strengthen it.
Thinking about solar partly as a home investment? Get a free quote and we'll show you the savings and the resale angle for your specific home.