You Cant Take Solar With You
One of the disadvantages of installing solar panels on your home is that it can be expensive to move them, should you decide to move. The net metering agreement with your utility is fixed to the property. Also, finding someone to remove and reinstall your solar panels can be costly.
But, solar panels do add value to your home, so even if you do move, you are likely to see the value of your solar panels reflected in a higher sale price.
If you do plan on moving in the near future, it is best to purchase your solar panels outright. If you have a solar lease or a power purchase agreement , you will need the new owner to take over your agreement, which can be a hassle.
What To Do With Solar Panels When You Move
Your current home is installed with solar panels and now youre planning to move. Your new home isnt equipped with solar panels and the question facing you is whether to bring the solar panels youve already invested in with you. Consider these factors when making your decision.
- Affect on sale of your current home
- Location of new home
- New location rules and regulations
- Sun or shade
Find Local Contractors
A Win For You And A Win For The New Owners
You probably didnt consider this, but leaving the solar panels on the old property could also be a great opportunity for you. If they are still in working condition and have been well maintained throughout their life, then you can add significant value to your current home when it comes time to sell.
In fact, recent studies show that Australians would be willing to pay between $10,000+ more for a house with solar installed. That additional money can then be put towards the purchase of a new system.
Simply put, the benefit of keeping them on your old property outweighs any potential benefits of taking them with you.
So, if youre thinking about moving, dont worry too much about what to do with your solar panels just keep them where they are and let your agent include them as a selling-point for your property.
As for your new home, you will be able to continue saving on your energy bills with a brand new solar system with the option of battery-storage! You can take advantage of solar rebates to help with the upfront cost and reap the rewards shortly after receiving your new house keys.
We are here to ensure that you receive an excellent deal via a trusted local installer simply submit your request for up to 3, obligation-free solar quotes. Its fast and free!
Recommended Reading: Can An Llc Be Considered A Sole Proprietorship
Buying A House With Fully Owned Solar Panels
This is the best scenario for all concerned.
In almost all cases, any Feed-in Tariff agreements should transfer to the new owner, and likewise, it should be simple to take on a Smart Export Guarantee contract signed by the previous owner.
After the house sale is completed, all maintenance costs will also transfer to the new owner but thats the same with any part of your new home.
What Happens If I Need Roof Repairs Before Installing Solar Panels
The last thing that any customer wants is to have a solar panel installation completed and then discover their roof is leaking shortly after that, requiring solar panel removal. Here at POWERHOME, our experts will complete a full evaluation of your home and roof before installation. The assessment will note any repairs that need to be made before beginning the installation process, to minimize the risk of needing to remove solar panels in the future to do a repair.
A large factor when considering how much does a solar roof cost is first determining if you need any repairs before installation.
Customers will be provided with a quote and an outline of POWERHOMEs expert recommendations. Our goal is to help our customers be as educated and informed as possible.
If your roof shingles are nearing the end of their warranty, or have damage that needs to be addressed, it makes sense to have the work done at the same time as your solar panel installation to avoid a future solar panel removal.
Having both processes completed by the same company, POWERHOME, makes for an easier and more convenient experience. You wont have to coordinate with different parties, review various proposals, or worry about timing issues. Our experts can take care of everything seamlessly.
If youre concerned about how much a solar roof costs this is good news, as its likely that you will never have to worry about replacing your solar installation.
Also Check: How Fast Do Solar Panels Pay For Themselves
How Does Pace Financing Work
The Property Assessed Clean Energy programs allow you to finance the upfront cost of the solar system and then pay the costs back over time.
What makes PACE assessments different from solar loans is that they are attached to the property, and not to you.
The property owner repays the solar panel costs over a set period of time as an addition to the property tax bills.
Read More:
Solar Energy Is An Intermittent Energy Source
There are three main reasons why solar is considered an intermittent source of power:
All of these factors have been used to argue that solar power cannot be relied on for base load or mission-critical applications. However, this is changing with the emergence of cost-effective battery solutions. Batteries allow homeowners to store their solar power and draw energy from the battery when their solar panels arent producing energy.
The most popular residential solar battery is the Tesla Powerwall, a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. Other manufacturers, such as sonnen, LG, and , offer great solar batteries for home energy storage, as well.
Ongoing advances in battery storage are a sign that intermittency may not be a limitation on solar power for long.
Also Check: Are Solar Panels Harmful To Your Health
Consider The Warranty Implications
Many solar panels come with a warranty, but that may only remain in effect as long as you dont make any structural changes to the panels. That includes removing or relocating them, so if you decide to take them with you, it could void all or part of the warranty on the panels themselves. You can contact the solar company that installed the panels to ask if they are willing to remove and relocate them, and whether that would keep the warranty intact.
How Much Does It Cost To Relocate Solar Panels
Relocating a solar system and reinstalling it requires quite a bit of time, effort, and money. The process may take about 3 to 4 months on average, as it involves steps such as signing paperwork, getting permits, and scheduling the move. Therefore, there are usually significant fees associated with relocating solar panels. The average costs tend to fall in the $4,000-$8,000 range, depending on the systems size.
You May Like: What Can You Run Off Solar Panels
Solar Is Cheaper Than Ever
While electricity prices continue to get more expensive, the cost of solar has continued to fall. Solar is now cheaper than ever in fact, the cost has fallen over 70% in the past decade. These low prices make solar more accessible to more homeowners than ever before.
Installing solar can be even cheaper when you take advantage of solar incentives. For example, if you install a solar system before the end of 2022, you could be eligible for the 26% federal tax credit.
This tax credit is equal to 26% of the total cost of your solar system and is applied to your income taxes. In addition to the federal tax credit, there are many other solar incentives offered locally.
Find out how much you can save on solar with local incentives in your area
Test The Panels Before Selling Them
Youre already well aware that used solar panels are a mixed bag some still have plenty of life left in them, and will likely outlive the manufacturers projected lifespan, while others are shadows of their former selves.
Test any used solar panel youre considering selling with a multimeter. If theyre still producing plenty of juice, then they may be worth passing on to a thrifty solar enthusiast.
Recommended Reading: How Much Energy From Solar Panels
Why Do You Want The Panels Removed
This question is vital to ask because it will help to define exactly what we hope to achieve with the solar panel removal. Getting rid of a system completely versus just needing a few panels removed for a repair can mean huge differences in time and money spent on the project.
Whatever the reason, we should point out that it would be foolish in most cases not to consult your original installer or at least a third-party professional anytime you are looking to make modifications to your solar panel installation. These are electrical components, after all, and working on a rooftop environment is always cause for an extra level of care.
Free Solar Panels And Solar Buyback
If you’re thinking of getting free solar panels, or have been offered a lump sum in exchange for your feed-in tariff, then keep reading. We tell you what you need to know about free solar panels and buyback.
Are free solar panels a good idea? We take you through the pros and cons of such schemes, and give you advice on what your options are if you can’t afford to buy solar panels outright.
Plus we look at how solar buyback schemes work, and whether theyre a good idea if you already have solar panels. Click on the links below to jump straight to what you want to know.
You May Like: What Forms Do I Need For Solar Tax Credit
The Most Efficient Solar Panels
There are two types of solar panels: PV and thermal. The type most commonly used is photovoltaic solar panels these catch the suns energy and convert it into electricity. These enable you to power your home appliances. The other type of panel is solar thermal. These enable you to heat water for your home. Most homes will install solar PV as we tend to use far more electricity so this is the most efficient way to cut down on bills.
Can I Take A Solar Backpack On A Plane
Solar backpacks are becoming more popular and are a great way to be able to charge electronics whilst on the move. They allow you to access the suns power whilst hiking or cycling for example which is great when travelling.
Solar backpacks look and function like regular backpacks in most ways but with the added bonus of a built-in solar panel.
Most solar backpacks dont actually store power in a battery and are used to directly charge devices via USB. For this reason they will not be restricted by the same rules as solar charges and should be allowed on a plane both as check and carry-on luggage.
You May Like: How Big Does My Solar System Need To Be
Solar Energy Pros And Cons
Looking at the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy from a homeowner’s perspective is an important step in the research process when considering installing solar panels for your home.
Here are a few that come up most often:
Main solar energy pros and cons
| Pros of solar energy | |
|---|---|
| Insurance against rising power prices | Intermittent energy source |
| Solar is cheaper than ever | Manufacturing panels has some impact on the environment |
| See return on your investment | Requires space |
| Not the best if you’re planning to move | |
| Energy independence |
The argument for the average American homeowner to install solar panels for their home is now better than it has ever been, as the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Lets take a closer look at each of these solar energy pros and cons.
Damage To Your Solar Panels
Solar panels are literally made of glass!
This means that they are extremely fragile, making them quite impossible to move without any damage .
And because of this fragility, moving can create a lot of broken panels, which wont be covered by your warranty!
This would be a nightmare for you and your investment.
Related article: How Durable Are Solar Panels?
You May Like: How Many Homes In California Have Solar Panels
How Do I Find Out Who Owns The Solar Panels On My Roof
If youre moving into a property with solar panels installed as part of a rent-a-roof scheme, there should be a signed agreement between the homeowner and the rent-a-roof company. This could be a lease agreement, where the homeowner agrees to rent out their roof space to the company which installed the solar panels.
Sometimes solar PV companies sell on installations, or the ownership changes if a company goes out of business.
Ofgem will only be able to confirm the owner of the solar panels if they are registered with the FIT scheme. The scheme is now closed to new applicants but you can find out more about the Feed-In Tariff for solar panels.
If you’re considering installing solar panels now, find out about the Smart Export Guarantee payments instead.
Before Your New Solar System Is Installed
Before you begin the installation process, your installer will need to do a survey of your property. This is an important part of the installation process that will make sure you get a system and design that is right for your property. Your surveyor should assess your property and talk you through your shading analysis for the most accurate projected figures. They should leave you a written, fixed cost quote, including projected performance of your system. You don’t have to commit to anything on the day. Ideally, get a few written quotes from different installers three is a good number.
You should also consider pigeon proofing solar panels. This is easier and cheaper to do during installation rather than after. You just need to ask your installer about this before getting the solar panels up.
You May Like: What Is The Best Retirement Plan For A Sole Proprietor
Considerations Before Going Solar If Youre Planning To Move
1. The Solar Investment Timeline
If you are making a substantial investment in your home and financial future by purchasing solar, you should stay in the home long enough to reap the benefits. How long is that? Well, that depends on your solar payback period. The average time it takes for a residential solar system to pay for itself is approximately 6.9 years. Because Solar Negotiators recommends ownership, and the utility rates in California are higher than the national average , our client base may have a shorter payback period than the average solar purchaser. The majority of our clients will recoup nearly half of their gross investment within first 365 days, 30% of which is collected from the federal tax credit. Our recommendation is: if you intend on selling your home in less than 6-7 years, solar may not be the right move for you.
2. If You Want to Relocate the System
Many companies will claim that they can help relocate your solar if and when you decide to move. System removal and re-installation should be possible with most companies as long as you are moving within service range. What these companies fail to mention is that there are labor fees associated with the work involved. If youve already compared the costs and want to move forward with the process, you may want to consider a few things.
3. Potential Voided Warranties
4. Assessing Current Home & Damage
5. If You Want to Sell Your Solar with Your Home
The Further South You Live The More You Can Make
While you don’t need a summer home in Hawaii to get some juice from solar panels, the further south you are can make a difference when it comes to their effectiveness. Remember, this is about daylight, not hours of sunshine. Northern homes get slightly less, so where you live needs to be factored in.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that panels in Manchester could save you between £95 and £230 each year on your electricity bills, compared with around £100-£240 in London and £90-£220 a year in Stirling. See Does buying solar panels add up? below for full analysis.
Also Check: How To Hook Solar Panels To Your House
Moving Solar Panels 101
So, you have a home thats equipped with solar panels, but you want to move away. The home youre buying doesnt have those panels, so youve got a decision to make do you take the solar panels from the previous house with you? Is this feasible, and better yet advisable to do? Before making the call, think about these factors:
- Effect on the sale of the old home
- Location of the new home
- Rules and regulations
- Potential damage
Selling The Old Property
Before you decide to put the old house on the market, you have to decide whether youre going to take the solar panels with you or sell them with the old house. And you should know that there are upsides to both decisions, so it isnt as clear cut as you might think. For instance, if you decide to leave the panels in the old house, your home will have a sizably larger resale value than if you were to take them with you. People who are serious about a green lifestyle will be prepared to pay a bigger asking price.
Of course, it goes without saying that once you put your house on the market and sell it, you cannot take the panels afterward. In this situation, the panels are viewed as a fixture that was sold along with the home.
Read Also: How Much Power Does A 100 Watt Solar Panel Produce