Solar panels may increase the value of a property by lowering its running costs and making it more attractive to buyers. However, the effect is not guaranteed. The value added will depend on the system, the property, local buyer demand and whether the panels are owned or leased.
Recent UK guidance suggests that solar panels on an existing home may support a value increase of around 2% to 3%. Other research has found smaller increases, so homeowners should treat these figures as useful estimates rather than a promised return.
Can Solar Panels Increase Property Value?
Yes, solar panels can increase property value in some cases. Buyers may be willing to pay more for a home that can generate electricity, reduce energy bills and provide some protection against future price rises.
Recent property market guidance suggests that the increase for an existing UK home may often be around 2% to 3%. With the average UK house price at approximately £271,000 in May 2026, this would equal around £5,400 to £8,100.
This calculation is only an example. A surveyor or buyer may place a different value on the system after considering its age, condition, ownership and expected savings.
Why Might Buyers Pay More for a Home With Solar Panels?
Solar panels can make a home more appealing because they offer benefits from the first day of ownership. A buyer may not need to pay the full cost of installing a new system, but they can still benefit from the electricity it produces.
Important benefits can include:
- Lower electricity bills
- Reduced reliance on electricity bought from the grid
- Payments for eligible electricity exported to the grid
- A better energy performance rating in some properties
- Lower household carbon emissions
- The option to add battery storage later
- Greater protection from changes in electricity prices
The importance of these benefits will vary between buyers. Some people will focus mainly on monthly costs, while others may value the environmental benefits or the chance to generate energy at home.
How Much Value Could Solar Panels Add?
There is no single figure that applies to every property. Recent guidance places the possible increase for existing homes at around 2% to 3%, while an earlier Solar Energy UK study estimated an average increase of approximately £1,800.
The Solar Energy UK research examined data connected with more than five million property transactions. It found that the value added differed by property type and location.
New homes with several energy-saving systems may achieve a larger increase. Research highlighted by Rightmove suggests that a new home designed to produce and store enough energy to remove normal energy bills could be worth up to 16% more. However, this relates to homes with solar panels, battery storage, low-carbon heating and suitable energy prices, rather than solar panels alone.
Do Solar Panels Make a Property Easier to Sell?
A well-maintained, fully owned solar system may make a property more attractive to people who want lower household costs. It can give the home a useful feature that similar properties do not have.
Buyer awareness is also increasing. Rightmove reported almost 40% more mentions of solar panels in property descriptions during 2025 than during the same period in 2024. Its 2025 research also found that 30% of people believed green improvements added value, while 19% believed they made homes more attractive to buyers.
Solar panels will not appeal equally to everyone. Some buyers may be concerned about maintenance, roof access, appearance or future replacement costs. Clear paperwork and evidence of reliable performance can help answer these concerns.
A seller should be ready to provide:
- The installation certificate
- Building control or planning records where required
- Panel and inverter warranties
- Recent generation records
- Maintenance and repair records
- Details of any export payment agreement
- Proof that the system is owned outright
What Factors Affect the Value Added by Solar Panels?
The possible increase in value depends on how useful the system is likely to be for the next owner.
System Ownership
Fully owned solar panels are usually easier to explain during a sale. The panels and the benefits they provide normally pass to the buyer with the property.
Leased panels can be more complicated. A buyer and mortgage provider may need to review the lease terms, roof access rights, maintenance duties and remaining contract period. A difficult agreement could slow down the sale or reduce buyer interest.
System Age
A recent installation with a long warranty may be more valuable than an older system with limited cover. However, older panels can still add value when they remain efficient and have been maintained properly.
Electricity Generation
A system that produces more usable electricity may offer greater savings. Performance depends on the number of panels, their power rating, roof direction, roof angle, shading and local weather.
Household Energy Use
The greatest savings are usually achieved when electricity is used while the panels are generating it. People who work from home or use appliances during the day may therefore benefit more.
Battery Storage
A battery can store electricity for use later in the day. This may increase the amount of solar electricity used within the home, although the age, capacity and warranty of the battery must also be considered.
Installation Quality
Neat, secure and professionally completed work is more likely to reassure buyers. Visible damage, loose wiring or poor roof repairs could have the opposite effect.
How Do Energy Savings Affect Property Value?
Buyers do not only consider the purchase price of a home. They may also compare the likely cost of heating, lighting and running appliances.
Government figures published in May 2026 stated that rooftop solar could save some families up to £480 a year. The actual saving will depend on system size, electricity use, roof position, energy prices and the amount of electricity exported.
A property with clear evidence of lower bills may therefore be more attractive than a similar home without solar panels. Sellers can support their claims by providing several years of electricity bills and generation records.
Homeowners may also receive payments for eligible electricity sent to the grid. Payment rates and conditions are set by individual energy suppliers, so future income should never be presented as guaranteed.
Can Solar Panels Improve a Property’s Energy Rating?
Solar panels may improve a property’s energy performance rating because they reduce the amount of electricity that must be supplied from outside the property. The exact effect depends on the system and the other features of the building.
A better energy rating can make a home more attractive to buyers who are concerned about running costs. Rightmove research based on around 300,000 properties found that moving from a low rating of F to a rating of C could raise a property’s value by as much as 15%.
This does not mean solar panels alone will cause a 15% increase. Insulation, windows, heating and building condition also affect the rating.
When Might Solar Panels Reduce Buyer Interest?
Solar panels can create concerns when the system, roof or paperwork has not been managed properly.
Common issues include:
- A long or unclear panel lease
- Missing installation certificates
- No proof of ownership
- An inverter that is close to the end of its working life
- Roof damage beneath or around the panels
- Poor installation work
- Heavy shading that limits electricity generation
- Panels that are difficult or costly to remove
- A system that does not meet the needs of the property
These issues do not always prevent a sale. However, they may lead to more questions from the buyer, solicitor, surveyor or mortgage provider. Dealing with missing records and faults before listing the property can reduce delays.
Are Owned Solar Panels Better Than Leased Panels?
Owned panels usually offer a clearer benefit during a property sale. The homeowner controls the system and normally receives the electricity savings and export payments.
With leased panels, another business may own the equipment and hold rights over part of the roof. The homeowner may receive free electricity, but the agreement can include conditions about maintenance, removal, roof repairs and transferring the lease to a buyer.
Some mortgage providers will accept leased panels when the agreement meets their rules. Others may require more checks. Anyone selling a property with leased panels should obtain a full copy of the agreement and contact the lease provider early.
How Popular Are Solar Panels in the UK?
Solar installations are becoming more common across the UK. Government figures show that 269,000 installations were completed during 2025. This was the highest total recorded for a calendar year and was 37% higher than the figure for 2024.
Around 255,000 of the systems installed in 2025 were fitted to homes, businesses and other buildings. This means that at least 95% of new installations were rooftop systems.
The UK passed two million solar installations in March 2026. As solar becomes more familiar, buyers may be more confident about purchasing a home that already has a suitable system.
Should You Install Solar Panels Before Selling?
Installing solar panels shortly before selling will not always provide enough time to recover the full cost. The increase in property value may be lower than the installation price, particularly when the system is fitted only to prepare the home for sale.
Solar panels are more likely to provide good overall value when the homeowner plans to remain in the property long enough to benefit from lower bills. The financial benefit can then come from a combination of energy savings, export payments and a possible increase in sale price.
Before installing a system, compare the expected cost with its likely generation, yearly savings, warranty period and effect on the property.
How Can Sellers Show the Value of Their Solar Panels?
A solar system is easier to value when the seller can provide clear and complete information. Buyers should not have to rely on broad claims about free electricity or future income.
- Provide generation records: Show how much electricity the system has produced over several years.
- Show electricity bills: These may help buyers understand the property’s running costs.
- Gather all certificates: Include installation, electrical safety and building records.
- Confirm ownership: Provide proof that the panels are fully owned or give the buyer a copy of the lease.
- Explain the warranties: State which parts remain covered and when each warranty ends.
- Repair known faults: Deal with damaged panels, warning messages and roof problems before marketing the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Estate Agents Add Solar Panels to a Property Valuation?
An estate agent may consider the panels, expected savings, property condition and local buyer demand. However, there is no fixed amount that must be added to the asking price.
Do Surveyors Value Solar Panels?
A surveyor may consider whether the panels are owned, professionally installed, in good condition and likely to provide a useful financial benefit. They will also examine any lease and its effect on the property.
Will Solar Panels Affect a Mortgage?
Owned panels do not normally create major mortgage problems when the installation is suitable and the correct paperwork is available. Leased panels may require further checks by the mortgage provider.
Does a Solar Battery Increase Property Value?
A battery may make a solar system more useful because stored electricity can be used when the panels are not generating. Its value will depend on its age, capacity, condition and remaining warranty.
Are Older Solar Panels Still Valuable?
Yes, when they continue to produce useful electricity. Buyers may place less value on an older system if the inverter needs replacing or the warranties have ended.
Can Solar Panels Increase Property Value?
Solar panels can increase property value, but the amount will depend on the system and the home. Recent guidance suggests a possible increase of around 2% to 3% for some existing properties. On a home worth £271,000, this would equal approximately £5,400 to £8,100.
A fully owned, efficient and well-documented system is more likely to appeal to buyers. It can offer lower electricity bills, export payments and a better energy rating. Leased panels, missing paperwork, roof damage or ageing equipment may reduce these benefits.
Homeowners should not install solar panels solely because they expect an immediate rise in sale price. The strongest financial case usually comes from combining long-term electricity savings with the possible increase in property value.
Do you need a Solar Panel Electrician Near Me in Bolton, Wigan, Manchester or Liverpool? Wigan Electrical Solutions provides professional solar panel installations for domestic and commercial properties. A suitable system could help reduce electricity costs while adding an attractive energy-saving feature to your property.
