Before You Buy A Home With Solar Panels, Ask These 10 Questions About Ownership, Roof Repairs, Contracts, And Future Buyers

Solar panels on a roof can look like a bonus on a listing sheet. Lower electric bills, a modern touch, and maybe a little pride when the neighbors drive by.

House with solar panels on the roof under a blue sky

But a roof full of panels also comes with paperwork, equipment, and a few questions most buyers never think to ask. Pulling from Redfin, the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS, and the Cost vs. Value Report, here are 10 questions to ask before you buy.

Do We Own These Panels Or Lease Them?

Redfin, in an April 2026 article by Kierra Todd, explains that owned panels usually do not add monthly payments, and their value is typically factored into the sale price. Leased systems may require you to take over the lease.

Jason Sumlanski of Florida Solar Design Group put it bluntly in that article: “a leased solar panel system is not an asset – it’s an obligation.” Ask for the contract before you make an offer.

Can The Lease Move To Me, And Must I Qualify?

The Rhode Island Association of REALTORS, in a 2022 article by Monica Staaf, asks whether a leased system’s lease can transfer to a new buyer. If so, must the buyer qualify to assume it?

If it cannot transfer, the article says the seller must pay the balance at closing, and some sellers may not know the amount owed. Get the numbers in writing.

Is There A Lien Recorded Against The Property?

The same article asks, “Has a lien for the solar panels been recorded against the property?” A recorded lien must be resolved before closing, it says, and it points to UCC-1 filings on the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s website.

Filing rules differ by state, so ask your closing attorney or title company how to check where you live.

Do Tax Credits And Incentives Pass To The Buyer?

The Rhode Island REALTORS article also asks whether energy incentives or tax credits are available, and if the seller qualifies, whether they can pass to the buyer.

Redfin lists possible tax incentives among the pros of buying a home with solar. Programs change, so ask a tax professional about the current rules.

What Does The Roof Look Like Under The Panels?

Jeff Guthrie of Phoenix Roofing and Repair advises in the Redfin article having a licensed roofing professional inspect the roof beneath the panels.

Brock Hayward of Excel Roofing warns that “improperly installed mounting hardware” can lead to roof damage or leaks over time. Redfin lists possible roof repairs among the drawbacks of buying a solar home.

How Old Are The Panels, And Is The Installer Still Around?

Redfin says panels often carry warranties of 20 to 25 years. It advises asking for installation dates, manufacturer details, and maintenance history.

The article also suggests checking performance through the monitoring app and confirming whether the original installer is still in business. A warranty is only as good as the company behind it.

When Will The Inverter Need Replacing?

Redfin cites The Solar Directory, which notes that inverters typically last 10 to 15 years. Replacing one can cost $1,000 to $2,000 or more.

Batteries, if the system has them, can also be costly to replace, according to the same article. Ask when each part was installed.

How Will This Affect My Loan And My Insurance?

Redfin says some lenders may count a solar lease or power purchase agreement as debt, which can affect loan eligibility. It also advises telling your home insurance provider about the system and verifying coverage up front.

Your lender and your insurance agent can both answer this in one phone call. Make the calls before closing.

Will I Really Save On Electricity?

According to Redfin, savings depend on panel size, efficiency, local climate, and your energy use. It suggests asking the seller for recent utility bills and comparing them with similar local homes.

Net metering may earn credits for excess power, but the article notes that rules vary by utility. Your power company can tell you how it works for you.

What Will The Next Buyer Think?

The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, as posted by JLC Online, listed a solar power installation at a job cost of $55,937 and a resale value of $16,625, or 29.7% of cost recouped.

The report’s coverage notes that solar panels are poorly valued by buyers nationwide. Redfin, for its part, lists a possible increase in home value as a potential benefit, so results vary.

A Short List To Carry To The Showing

Bring questions about ownership, the lease, liens, the roof, the equipment ages, your loan, and your power bills. Most of these cost nothing to ask.

Redfin adds that roughly 7% of U.S. homes have solar, citing the Solar Energy Industries Association, so you are far from the only buyer asking.

A solar home can be a smart buy for the right household, and these sources simply help you find out which kind you are looking at.

Sources: Redfin, “8 Questions to Ask Before Buying a House With Solar Panels,” Kierra Todd (April 2026); Rhode Island Association of REALTORS, “Five Questions About Selling/Buying Home with Solar Panels,” Monica Staaf (2022); and JLC Online, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, national averages.

Willow and Hearth