Questions to Ask When Buying a Home with Solar Panels

Reader Contribution by Sarah Hancock and Bestcompany.Com
Published on December 15, 2017
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Thanks to falling costs and advances in equipment, residential solar energy systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. More than one million homes in America now have a solar power system, allowing more homeowners than ever before to reap the many benefits that come along with utilizing renewable energy. But when these homeowners relocate, the door opens for homebuyers to move in and generate clean power without the paperwork, installation, and interconnection process.

If you’re thinking about buying a home with a solar energy system, be sure to ask the seller the following questions before making your decision:

1. Is the solar energy system owned or leased?

Typically, it’s better for buyers if the system is owned, because it means that they, in turn, will own it outright after purchasing the home without having to pay anything extra for it. Even if the solar energy system was acquired with a loan, the seller will be responsible for paying it off, meaning that the buyer will receive ownership of the panels without having to fork out any additional cash.

Purchasing a home with a leased system, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated. Solar leases typically last up to 20 years and can be expensive to buy out of. Some solar leases have escalating payments and may raise the buyer’s debt-to-income ratio, so take care to review the contract thoroughly before purchasing a house with a leased solar power system. It is still very possible to benefit from buying a house with a leased solar power system, but it’s always a good idea to cover your bases.

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