Does Solar Add Value to Your Home?
Owned solar adds roughly 6.9% to a home’s sale price, the latest data shows. Here’s the catch, and why it’s even truer in the South Sound.
One of the most common questions we get: "If I put solar on my roof, do I actually get that money back when I sell?" For owned systems, the data says yes — and the effect has been growing.
What the latest data shows
A 2025 analysis of Zillow home-sales data found that homes with solar sell for about 6.9% more on average than comparable homes without it — up from the roughly 4.1% premium Zillow measured back in 2019. On a median-priced U.S. home (~$416,900 in 2025) that works out to nearly $29,000 in added value. Homes with solar also tend to sell faster.
The catch: you have to own it
This premium applies to owned systems — cash or financed. Leased systems and PPAs generally do not add resale value, because the buyer has to take over someone else’s contract. It is one more reason we steer homeowners toward ownership financing rather than a lease.
Why it is even stronger in the South Sound
Local electricity prices drive how much buyers value solar — and PSE rates have climbed by double digits two years running. A home that has locked in its energy cost looks increasingly attractive next to one exposed to the next rate hike. As rates rise, the appeal of a paid-down, owned system rises with them.
How to protect the value
Resale value tracks a system that is sized right, cleanly installed, well documented, and under warranty. That is exactly why our installs come with transferable equipment manufacturer warranties — reassuring to the next owner. Keep your paperwork, monitoring login, and warranty details together; we hand you all of it.
Common questions
How much value do solar panels add to a home?
A 2025 analysis of Zillow data found homes with solar sell for about 6.9% more on average — nearly $29,000 on a median-priced home. The exact figure varies by location, system size, condition, electricity rates, and whether the system is owned or leased.
Do leased solar panels add home value?
Generally no. Leases and PPAs typically do not add resale value because the buyer must assume the contract. Owned systems — cash or financed — are what carry the premium.
Does solar make a home sell faster?
The Zillow-based research suggests homes with solar can attract buyer interest and sell more quickly, in addition to commanding a higher price, though local market conditions always matter.