Buying a Solar Home

Off-grid systems are sometimes found on homes that are completely independent of utility systems. Off-grid systems typically have batteries to store the electricity at night, and are more expensive and require more maintenance.

Grid-tie systems are tied to the electric grid and usually do not have batteries. You use the energy as you generate it, and any more than you need is pulled from the grid. Many grid-tie systems will also allow the homeowner to sell excess energy back to a utility company if you produce more than you consume.

While looking at homes

Ask about the actual electricity savings

Make sure you know the actual electricity savings generated by the systems of the homes you are considering. Unless the system is very large, most residential systems will probably not generate all of the energy requirements for a home. Good questions to ask the seller include:

• What percent of the average monthly electric consumption is provided by the solar system?
• Can I have copies of the house's most current electric bills?
• If the solar panels generate more energy than we consume, can I sell the excess energy to the utility company?

If the solar system sells power back to the utility company, you may be limited to the utility companies that purchase Distributed Renewable Generation (DRG).

Ask if the home is part of an HOA

It's not uncommon for a solar home to be in a homeowners association. Make sure you know the HOA's rules on having a solar system on the house so you aren't hit with any surprises should you buy the home. Additionally, it helps to know the rules in case you decide to modify or expand the home's solar capabilities in the future.

Understand the solar system's lease, if the home has one

All terms of the solar contract should be explained by the seller, including any required transfers of a lease. It's also important to gather any warranty papers on the solar panels should repairs be required.

Closing on your home

Congratulations! Now that you're about to be an owner of a solar home, make sure you get the most out of your purchase. Make sure the seller details the maintenance of the system that is required to continue generating the maximum possible amount of solar. This can include a cleaning schedule for the panels and battery maintenance.

Get help from a Green-certified real estate consultant

We can guide you through the process of a buying a solar home. With our own experience owning solar homes, we can help you calculate the solar home's return on investment and make sure you have all the information you need to make a buying decision that's right for you while avoiding some common pitfalls. Contact us to get started.