The Complete Guide to Selling a Home With Solar Panels: What Every REALTOR Needs to Know
Homes with solar panels are appearing more frequently in the Massachusetts market, and for many REALTORS, that brings questions, uncertainty, and even stress. Is the system owned or leased? Does a transfer need to happen? What does the buyer actually get? Will this slow down closing?
Solar doesn’t have to complicate a sale. With the right knowledge, it becomes a feature that adds value. This guide gives you the essential information to confidently represent any solar listing and explains how Boston Solar can be your go-to resource whenever solar enters the conversation!
We’ve worked with thousands of homes across Massachusetts. We’ve seen every type of system, contract, roof, and utility setup, and our goal is simple: make solar easy for REALTORS every time.
Understanding Solar Ownership: The First Question That Matters
Before anything else, determine whether the solar system is owned, financed, or leased. Owned systems add equity and transfer cleanly. Financed systems may come with UCC filings or remaining balances to address. Leased systems require formal transfers, buyer approval, and contract review. Clarifying ownership early prevents surprises and keeps deals moving smoothly. If you’re ever unsure, Boston Solar can help interpret exactly what the seller has.
Documentation: Get These Items Before You List
Solar homes come with documentation your buyer, appraiser, and closing attorney may need. Request installation records, warranties, monitoring access, the Permission to Operate (PTO) letter, and any loan or lease agreements. Having these upfront helps you avoid delays and demonstrates your professionalism.
Warranties and Transferability
Panel warranties often last around 25 years, with inverter warranties typically between 10 and 15 years. Some warranties transfer automatically while others require paperwork during the home sale. Understanding what transfers protects your client and ensures transparency throughout the transaction.
Roof Condition and System Health
Solar panels last decades, but they depend on the roof beneath them! Ask sellers to disclose roof age, any past service, shading issues, and reinforcement work. Clean disclosures build trust and help support smoother negotiations.
Evaluating Actual Energy Performance
Buyers appreciate transparency and real data. Request 12 to 24 months of utility bills and solar production reports. This information helps showcase the system’s performance and allows buyers to see actual savings!
Net Metering and Local Policies
Massachusetts offers strong net-metering benefits. Residential systems up to 25 kW AC qualify for full retail-rate credits, usually between 32 and 36 cents per kilowatt-hour depending on the utility. Credits roll over month to month and remain valid for up to 25 years. Both Eversource and National Grid support these benefits, though fixed delivery charges still apply. Combined with the SMART program and property-tax exemptions, solar homes in Massachusetts provide meaningful long-term savings that buyers value.
Insurance, Appraisal, and Disclosures
Solar should be included in homeowners insurance coverage. Appraisers typically increase home value when the solar system is owned and performing well. Be sure disclosures include ownership type, performance history, roof age, payment terms, and required transfer steps. Clear disclosures create smoother closings.
Quick Solar Checklist for REALTORS
- Confirm ownership type
- Gather all documentation
- Review roof and system condition
- Obtain production data
- Check for liens or UCC filings
- Understand net-metering benefits
- Verify warranty transferability
- Prepare disclosures early
Why Partner With Boston Solar
You don’t need to be a solar expert. You just need the experts who support you. Boston Solar has completed more than 6,000 installations across Massachusetts. We understand the utilities, policies, and paperwork. We simplify solar for homeowners and REALTORS and help with ownership questions, lease transfers, documentation, PTO issues, and buyer or seller education. Our mission is to make you look great in front of your clients.
Your Trusted Solar Partner, Today and Always
As solar continues to grow across Massachusetts, more people will look to their REALTOR for answers. This guide is here to make those moments easier, and so are we! With over 6,000 local installs and 1,500 plus five-star reviews, Boston Solar supports you and your clients through every solar-related situation.
Whether you’re listing a home with panels, advising a buyer, or helping a homeowner understand their options, think of Boston Solar as your solar partner behind the scenes. We’ll answer the questions, simplify details, and deliver the kind of service that reflects well on you.
Get Paid for Referrals and Give Your Clients the Best
If you have a client considering solar, you can refer them to Boston Solar and earn $525 for every completed installation. We handle consultations, design, installation, paperwork, and homeowner education. You stay informed, your clients receive excellent care, and you earn for every successful referral!
Boston Solar: When Realtors Think Solar, They Think Us
When solar comes up in a real estate conversation, think of Boston Solar. We bring clarity, speed, and experienced local guidance to every deal. Whether this is your first solar listing or your fiftieth, we’ll help you navigate it with complete confidence!
Refer a Client. We’ll Handle the Rest.: https://info.bostonsolar.us/
Boston Solar: Built for Massachusetts. Built for REALTORS. Built to support you.
