Solar panels make a property more appealing to buy, a new survey has revealed – but homebuyers are being urged to check if they are included in the sale.
The new research by Direct Line found that 58 per cent of buyers find solar panels add to the appeal of a property.
However, some buyers may fail to realise that solar panels are not automatically included in a sale, with the property seller potentially taking them to their new home.
A survey by Direct Line found that 58% of buyers find solar panels add to the appeal of a property – such as this Hampshire home for sale (more details below)
Solar panels typically cost between £6,000 and £10,000 depending on the system installed, it said.
The survey found that 77 per cent of homeowners said they have saved money on their energy bills due to solar panels.
They saved an average of £264 a year, with some reporting savings of more than £480 a year.
The cost of installing solar panels has fallen dramatically as they have become more popular, with the typical outlay falling 82 per cent between 2010 and 2019, according to Direct Line.
However, the cost is still prohibitive for many, and a total of 62 per cent of the 2,000 survey respondents said they had no plans to install them.
They cited cost, uncertainty over their value and the suitability of their roofs as the main reasons.
For those who are eligible, there are grants for solar panels available through schemes like the Energy Company Obligation scheme.
Solar panels might NOT come with the house
When purchasing a property with solar panels, buyers need to double check if they are included in the sale to avoid any misunderstandings.
A total of 44 per cent expect solar panels to be included in the standard conveyancing list of fixtures and fittings – and so part of the sale price of the home.
However, solar panels are not typically included in these lists. A total of 52 per cent of homeowners with solar panels said they would take their panels when moving home.
However, 25 per cent said they would leave them if the buyer paid extra money for them.
A total of 77% of homeowners saved money on energy bills with solar panels – scroll down for more information about this property in Camberley for sale
Dan Simson, of Direct Line Home Insurance, said: ‘The benefits of installing solar panels are clear, from helping homeowners save money on their monthly electricity bills, to decreasing their carbon footprint.
‘However, their price and installation costs remain an obstacle to many. To help overcome this issue, the Government has put several schemes in place that provide funding and support to those who want to install solar panels in their home and meet the eligibility criteria.
‘While many people would prefer to buy a home with solar panels installed, our research shows that there is still some confusion about whether solar panels are included as standard when buying a home.
‘If prospective buyers want the solar panels to be included as part of the purchase, we recommend they discuss it with their conveyancer who can request that the panels remain as a condition of the sale.’
Houses for sale with solar panels
Three properties for sale with solar panels
1. Three-bed semi-detached, Southampton, £350k
This three-bedroom semi-detached house in Hampshire is for sale for £350,000 via Marco Harris estate agents
This semi-detached house in the Hampshire district of Lordswood has solar panels on the roof.
The three-bedroom property is for sale for £350,000 and the sale is being handled by Marco Harris estate agents.
2. Four-bed detached house, Camberley, £2.5m
This four-bedroom in Surrey’s Camberley is for sale for £2.5million via Seymours Prestige Homes estate agents
This luxury home in Surrey’s Camberley has several eco- features, including solar panels and a heat pump air conditioning system.
The four-bedroom house is on the market for £2.5million via Seymours Prestige Homes estate agents.
3. Four-bed detached house, Bucknall, £465k
This four-bedroom detached house in the Lincolnshire village of Bucknall is for sale for £465,000 via Richard Watkinson & Partners
This detached house is in the Lincolnshire village of Bucknall, which is five miles north of Woodhall Spa.
It is a new build with solar panels that is for sale for £465,000 via Richard Watkinson & Partners.
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How many homes have solar panels installed?
Many new homes now include solar panels, although the National House Building Council has no official figures for the numbers fitted during the past year.
More than 130,000 homes had the panels installed in 2022, according to MCS, the standards organisation for UK renewable energy.
It is almost as many as were installed in the previous three years put together.
Prices differ between installers so the Energy Saving Trust recommends getting quotes from at least three firms.
If you generate more than you can use, some solar panel systems allow the excess power to be fed back into the grid. You can sign up to an electricity tariff where you will get paid for this.
You can get an estimate of how much you could save on your energy bills using solar panels with the Energy Saving Trust’s calculator.
The biggest savings will be made by households that primarily use the energy they generate, rather than selling it back into the grid, because the cost of paying for energy from the grid is much higher than the payment households receive for feeding any excess energy back.
