Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value? The Benefits Every Buyer, Seller, and Real Estate Agent Should Know

A home’s features directly influence its market value. Property owners often invest in pools, kitchen remodels, or luxury landscaping to boost appeal but these upgrades come with hidden maintenance and recurring costs that eat into ROI.

Solar panels are different. If you’ve ever asked, “Do solar panels increase home value?” The short answer is yes. But the real advantages go beyond energy savings.

Solar energy systems are relatively low-maintenance, offer decades of reliable performance, and reduce monthly bills from day one. These qualities make solar one of the most strategic upgrades for anyone buying, selling, or representing a home in today’s market.

So how much value can solar actually add and why are homebuyers actively seeking it?

How Much More Can Solar Panels Add to Home Value?

According to a 2024 analysis of Zillow data, homes with solar panels sell for up to 6.8% more than similar homes without them (ReVision Energy).

Even a smaller increase of 4% can represent tens of thousands of dollars in added equity, depending on the price of the home. That boost becomes even more compelling when paired with the 30% federal tax credit, local incentives, and long-term utility savings.

As ReNew Solar Solutions founder John Hrudicka puts it,

“You can literally make the case that you’re getting paid to go solar.”

Why Buyers Are Asking for Solar

When John Hrudicka left his role as CFO of billion-dollar companies, it was because he grew frustrated with short-term thinking that prioritized profits over customer value. He and his wife Krista founded ReNew with a long-term vision, one that placed integrity, sustainability, and customer trust above all.

That perspective resonates with today’s buyers. As John puts it:

“People aspire to own their homes. They don’t aspire to rent their homes. But yet, when they own their homes, they rent their power.”

It’s a mindset shift. Buyers want more than aesthetic upgrades. They want control over their energy, their costs, and their security.

John shared that most ReNew customers don’t sign up for solar solely to save money:

“They do it for energy independence. They do it because they don’t want to be shackled to a utility and all the risks and the vulnerability associated with it.”

Grid instability, rate hikes, and natural disasters are driving more homeowners to think ahead. With battery backup, solar power offers peace of mind, not just savings.

“We have a lot of people who buy generators to safeguard themselves against an outage. Nobody asks what the return on investment is on a generator… Solar and batteries are very different. You don’t have to do a thing to maintain batteries.”

Solar Offers More Than Just Monthly Savings

Solar customers at ReNew often cite energy security as a primary reason for going solar. With grid instability and severe weather becoming more common, homeowners are choosing solar not just for savings, but for peace of mind.

As John explains:

“We have a lot of people who buy generators to safeguard against outages. Nobody asks about ROI on that because it’s about peace of mind. Solar with battery backup offers that same security except you don’t have to maintain it or remember it’s there.”

Solar for Real Estate Agents: Boost Sales, Listings, and Buyer Confidence

During his recent interview with John, Grant Wise brought up a common hesitation:

“Some agents don’t bring up solar because they’re afraid it’ll complicate the transaction.”

But that hesitation may be costing clients money and costing agents credibility.

“You don’t have to be a solar expert,” John responded. “You just need to know enough to open the conversation and point clients to a trusted partner.”

Agents who partner with experts are not just closing deals they’re building trust.

6 Reasons Solar Makes Homes More Valuable

1. Lower Energy Bills

Solar panels directly reduce electricity costs, which increases net savings. Buyers see this as a long-term value-add, especially in regions with high utility rates.

2. Minimal Maintenance

Unlike pools or elaborate landscaping, solar systems require little upkeep. Most come with 25-year warranties and need only light cleaning and occasional inspections.

3. Energy Backup and Resilience

Solar plus battery storage protects homeowners from outages and disasters. This feature is especially important in areas prone to storms, wildfires, or aging infrastructure.

4. Eco Appeal

According to Zillow’s Consumer Housing Trends Report, 67% of buyers say energy efficiency is a top priority. Solar delivers measurable sustainability while helping reduce carbon footprints.

5. Flexible Financing

Many buyers can wrap solar into their home mortgage or use solar loans with no upfront cost. That makes solar attainable for more households.

6. Future-Proof Market Demand

The U.S. solar market is projected to triple in size by 2034, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Homes already equipped with solar will become increasingly desirable.

What Sets ReNew Solar Solutions Apart?

John’s background in strategic finance shapes every part of ReNew’s business model. There are no salespeople, only energy consultants. The first interaction is a 45-minute consultation focused on education, not persuasion.

“All we’re doing is providing them information, knowledge, understanding of the program in Tennessee, technology, the differentiation of our company.”

ReNew systems also include energy monitors, EMP protection, and Pearl Certification. These features improve energy management and can strengthen resale value:

“Pearl works with less than 1% of all the solar contractors across the U.S. We’re one of them… Literally, it’s a great selling tool.”

When Grant asked about specific innovations, John shared:

“We have a device that we install, it’s called Sense. It actually monitors every appliance and device in the house and tells that homeowner how much power they’re consuming.”

Grant laughed:

“If you’re telling me there’s a device that whenever my kids leave the light on… I can actually go to and say ‘Hey!’ Yes. That might be worth it just based off of that.”