Does Solar Power Increase Home Value? The Real Data, ROI & How to Maximize It

If you've ever wondered whether solar panels actually bump up your home's value, the short answer is yes, they do, and usually more than people expect. Several U.S. studies have found that solar homes often sell for around 4% to 10% more.

In real numbers, that can mean anything from roughly fifteen grand on a smaller place to well over seventy thousand on higher-priced homes. And when you factor in decades of lower electricity bills, the resale return can easily pay back the entire system, sometimes with plenty left over.

Adding a home battery can push that value even higher. Buyers love the idea of energy independence, so pairing solar with a backup system, something like the BLUETTI Apex 300 or the Elite 200 V2, tends to make a home feel more modern and self-reliant.

This guide walks through the big picture of how solar affects property value, using real data from the industry instead of hype or guesswork.

Does Solar Power Increase Home Value?

Yes, pretty much!

If you look at real estate trends across the U.S., the pattern is pretty clear: solar tends to bump up a home's value. The tricky part is figuring out how much, because it isn't the same everywhere.

Most studies put the increase somewhere in the 5–10% range. Zillow's data lands close to that too, showing an average bump of about 4.1%. In places where electricity is expensive, California is a big example; the added value can be surprisingly high. It's not unusual for a solar-equipped home to sell for an extra forty to eighty thousand dollars, especially in mid- to high-priced neighborhoods.

And honestly, it makes sense. Buyers like the idea of walking into a home that already has lower utility bills and some built-in energy security. So if you're wondering whether solar actually moves the needle on home value, the answer is yes, it usually does, and the numbers back it up.

Key Studies & Market Data: How Much Value Solar Adds

Here's a quick look at what the most trusted sources say about how much solar can bump up a home's value without getting too stiff or technical.

1. SolarInsure (California)

California's numbers are usually the highest. SolarInsure's data puts the value boost somewhere around 5–10%, which can easily turn into forty to almost eighty grand in added price depending on the home. One important caveat: this applies to owned systems, not leased ones. With electricity prices being what they are in the state, buyers are pretty motivated by long-term bill savings and the bonus of having some resilience during outages.

2. SolarReviews (National U.S. Look)

Across the country, SolarReviews found an average premium of about 6.9%. But it swings a lot from one state to another. Things like local electricity rates, incentives, how often the power goes out, and just general buyer interest all play a big role. Places with strict net metering rules and higher utility costs tend to see the biggest bump.

3. Zillow Research

Zillow, which has one of the largest real estate datasets, lands at about a 4.1% increase on average. Even older studies, back when solar wasn't nearly as common, showed an increase, which suggests the premium has only grown as more homeowners see solar as a plus rather than a novelty.

What Factors Influence How Much Solar Increases Home Value?

Not every home gets the same value boost from solar, and a lot of it comes down to a few key details. Here's how the biggest factors usually play out in real life.

1. Ownership Matters (Owned Beats Leased Every Time)

If you own your solar system outright, the value bump is almost always higher. Buyers like the idea of getting the system with no strings attached, and appraisers can actually count it as part of the home's assets.

Leased systems or PPAs are a different story. Buyers might have to take over the payments, and some lenders don't love the extra paperwork. In those cases, the value bump gets smaller and sometimes disappears completely.

So, if your main goal is to boost home value, owning the panels is by far the cleaner path.

2. System Age & Overall Health

People buying homes want something that's going to last. Newer systems (under eight years old or so) tend to look the most appealing, especially if they still have solid warranty coverage. High-efficiency, modern panels definitely help too.

Older systems, 15 to 20 years old, can still add value, but usually not as much, simply because buyers know they're closer to the end of their lifespan.

3. System Size (kW Capacity)

In general, bigger systems mean bigger savings, and that usually translates into a higher selling price.

A modest 4–6 kW setup adds a little extra value, while a 7–10 kW system tends to make a more noticeable difference. Really large systems (10 kW and up) can add quite a bit, sometimes tens of thousands, because buyers can quickly picture the long-term savings.

4. Location & Local Electricity Costs

Where you live plays a huge role. States with high electricity rates (California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, etc.) almost always see the biggest value jump. Outage-prone areas also tend to value solar more. Places with strong incentives or reliable net metering programs help, too. On the other hand, states with low utility rates or weaker solar policies usually see smaller premiums, even with good systems.

5. What Buyers Care About Right Now

More and more buyers want lower monthly bills, some level of energy independence, and a home that's generally more resilient. Solar fits neatly into all of that, and if the home also has a battery, the appeal jumps even more. Many people like the idea of riding through an outage without scrambling for a generator or gas.

Solar ROI & Payback: How the Value Increase Covers System Cost

A typical home solar setup, usually somewhere in the 6–10 kW range, runs about twenty to thirty thousand dollars in the U.S. after the federal tax credit. That's the baseline most people start with. But the interesting part is what happens when you look at resale numbers and long-term savings.

1. The Value Bump Often Covers Most (or All) of the Cost

In a lot of cases, the increase in home value ends up paying for the system outright. A 4–10% price boost can translate to anything from fifteen thousand to well over seventy thousand dollars, depending on the home. When the system itself costs around twenty to thirty thousand, plenty of sellers walk away having basically broken even before even counting years of lower electric bills.

2. Solar Homes Tend to Sell Faster

Real estate agents say that solar homes usually get more attention online and move quickly. Some report they sell twenty to fifty percent faster because buyers like the idea of walking into a home with lower monthly expenses already baked in.

3. Long-Term Savings Stack on Top

Electricity rates don't stay still; they've been creeping up around 2–3% per year nationwide. Over a couple of decades, that adds up. Most homeowners save somewhere in the 30K-to-90K dollar range on electricity, and that number gets even bigger in states with higher retail rates.

4. Adding a Battery Sweetens the Deal

A battery can tilt the math even further. You end up using more of your own solar power, which cuts peak-time charges, and you've got backup energy during outages. When it comes time to sell, that combination, solar plus a battery, tends to stand out to buyers who want a home that's a bit more resilient and less tied to the grid.

How to Maximize Solar's Impact on Home Value

If you're trying to get the most value out of your solar setup when it's time to sell, a few things consistently show up in both real estate data and energy reports. Here's what tends to move the needle the most.

1. Pair Your Solar With a Battery

Solar on its own adds value, but solar plus a battery usually makes the home feel more complete. Buyers like the idea of having backup power and being less tied to the grid, especially in places with outages or high electricity rates. A battery also lets the system use more of its own solar power instead of sending it back to the grid, which buyers see as a long-term savings bonus.

BLUETTI has a couple of systems that often appeal to different types of homeowners:

• Apex 300 Home Battery Backup

Around 2764.8Wh with roughly 3840W of output. It's strong enough to cover the essential home circuits and works really well for people who want more resilience or who plan to ride through outages without hassle.

• Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station

A bit smaller, 2073Wh and about 2600W, but really versatile. It fits apartments, smaller homes, or anyone who wants indoor-safe backup without committing to a big installation.

2. Keep Your Paperwork Handy

Buyers feel better when everything is documented. Warranties for the panels and inverter, installation receipts, performance reports, and anything that shows the system has been looked after. It just makes the whole thing feel more trustworthy.

3. Make Sure the System Is Big Enough to Matter

Tiny 1–3 kW systems don't usually impress anyone. But once you're in the 7–10 kW range (and especially if you've paired it with a battery), buyers can immediately picture meaningful long-term savings.

4. Don't Hide the Solar in Your Listing

Homes with solar tend to get more attention when the listing clearly mentions it. Agents often recommend including things like recent electricity bills, estimated annual savings, or the fact that the system includes battery storage. Those details help buyers understand the value right away instead of guessing.

Conclusion

So, does solar actually raise your home's value? Yes! And in a lot of cases, the boost is bigger than most people expect.

Solar usually brings a handful of benefits that buyers really pay attention to: a higher resale price (often somewhere in the 4–10% range), quicker offers, and lower monthly electric bills they can count on from day one. Add in the fact that electricity rates keep creeping up every year, and the long-term savings start to look even better.

And if the system includes a battery, the appeal jumps again because buyers get something everyone wants these days: a bit of protection during outages.

If you're trying to get the best mix of savings and resale value, pairing your panels with a battery is easily one of the smartest upgrades. Two solid options are:

• BLUETTI Apex 300 — great for whole-home essentials and folks who want real resilience.
• BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 — a smaller, flexible setup that works well in apartments or smaller homes.

Together, a solar-plus-battery setup makes a home feel more self-sufficient and future-proof, and buyers tend to respond to that with higher offers.

FAQs

Does solar really increase home value?

Yes. Research across the U.S. shows that solar generally boosts home value by 4% to 10%, depending on your state, system size, and whether you own the system outright. Solar homes also tend to sell faster than comparable homes without solar.

How much does solar add to a home's value on average?

Most homeowners see an increase of $15,000–$30,000. In high-electricity-cost areas, especially places like California, the premium can climb even higher, often $40,000–$80,000+ for larger homes with substantial systems.

Do leased solar panels increase home value?

Usually, no. Leased systems and PPAs rarely add value because:

• Buyers have to take over the remaining contract.
• Some lenders are hesitant about third-party solar agreements.
• The panels aren't considered the homeowner's asset.

For the strongest resale benefits, owning your solar system is the best option.

Do solar-equipped homes sell faster?

Yes. Homes with solar often:

• Sell 20–50% faster;
• Get more online views;
• Attract buyers specifically looking to lower their monthly bills.

Real estate agents consistently report that solar is becoming a desirable feature for today's buyers.

What about renters?

For renters, the easiest wins are portable solar solutions like the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2—plug-and-play power stations that boost your energy independence without drilling a hole (or asking permission).

How does inflation affect solar payback?

Inflation shortens your payback period by jacking up electricity rates faster than your panels' upfront cost. A system that pays back in 6-8 years today could drop to 4-6 years if rates keep rising, per 2025 EnergySage data.