I am interested adding PV solar panels to my home for a combination of financial reasons and being generally interested in electrical/electronics/computer type tech. I've seen a good amount of information about estimating related energy savings and predicting long term impact on net energy expenses, under different types of power plans, including how TOU impacts things. However, what is far less clear to me is how PV solar panels impacts home resale value.
I expect the impact on home value is complex and depends on many factors such as whether the panels are owned (I plan to buy outright without loan), the target buyer for the home, and the panel placement. I live on the north side of the street, so I get the greatest TOF with panels on the front of the roof, facing the driveway and street. I am concerned that these front roof panels may negatively impact curb appeal of my home, more than other placements that are less visible from the street, such as side or rear of home. And that negative impact on home value may have as great an impact on net financial gain/loss as energy loss from alternative placements, with less optimal TOF. Searching online, solar panel sellers usually say solar positively impacts home value regardless of placement; while realtors have more varied and inconsistent comments, sometimes recommending avoiding panels on the front side of the roof, for aesthetics reasons. The few studies I've seen are simplistic and do not control for solar panel placement or a variety of other important differences. Does anyone have additional information about how solar panel placement may impact home value?
My home is in a San Diego suburb where ~1/4 of homes have solar panels. The home has 2 floors. With the angle to the 2nd floor roof, the solar panels would be clearly visible from the street, but people would only see side edges of the panels while standing in the driveway or walkway to the entrance. There have been only a small handful of sales with front roof solar panels for similar homes in my neighborhood, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions based on past sales.
I expect the impact on home value is complex and depends on many factors such as whether the panels are owned (I plan to buy outright without loan), the target buyer for the home, and the panel placement. I live on the north side of the street, so I get the greatest TOF with panels on the front of the roof, facing the driveway and street. I am concerned that these front roof panels may negatively impact curb appeal of my home, more than other placements that are less visible from the street, such as side or rear of home. And that negative impact on home value may have as great an impact on net financial gain/loss as energy loss from alternative placements, with less optimal TOF. Searching online, solar panel sellers usually say solar positively impacts home value regardless of placement; while realtors have more varied and inconsistent comments, sometimes recommending avoiding panels on the front side of the roof, for aesthetics reasons. The few studies I've seen are simplistic and do not control for solar panel placement or a variety of other important differences. Does anyone have additional information about how solar panel placement may impact home value?
My home is in a San Diego suburb where ~1/4 of homes have solar panels. The home has 2 floors. With the angle to the 2nd floor roof, the solar panels would be clearly visible from the street, but people would only see side edges of the panels while standing in the driveway or walkway to the entrance. There have been only a small handful of sales with front roof solar panels for similar homes in my neighborhood, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions based on past sales.
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