There’s a lot to consider when buying a house, especially if solar panels are involved. And whether you’re planning to install solar once you move in or you’re thinking about buying a house that already has solar panels in Massachusetts, you’re sure to have a few questions about solar energy.
Boston Solar is here to help guide you through the process of going solar as a new homeowner and can answer any questions you have about residential solar panels. We are the #1 Massachusetts-based solar company, and we’ve installed solar panels on thousands of properties throughout the state.
Not every house can accommodate solar panels, so if solar energy is a priority for you, it’s important to make sure you can install solar on a home before buying it. While you’re house shopping, look for properties that have south-facing roofs with little to no shading. You should also have the roof inspected before buying the house to make sure it can handle the weight of a solar array and the roof age isn’t coming to the end of its lifespan.
You have a few purchasing options when it comes to installing solar on a new home in MA:
Cash – When you purchase your solar system with cash, you are the direct owner and eligible to receive any solar incentives the system qualifies for.
Leasing – Leased solar panel systems belong to the lease provider, and you pay a monthly fee to use them. With a leased system, you are not eligible for solar incentives—the lease provider is. Boston Solar does not offer a solar lease option.
Financing – Solar panel financing is a great way to manage the cost of solar on a new home. Financing plans allow you to own your solar panels and receive all incentives while paying a fixed monthly payment.
For many homebuyers, solar panels carry the same weight as a newly renovated kitchen or a finished basement—they’re a feature that people are willing to pay a premium for. Because of this, installing solar panels on your home will likely increase its resale value and could even help your house sell faster if you ever decide to move again. Also, you’ll be exempt from sales tax and property tax increases if you install a solar energy system on your home in Massachusetts.
You can install solar panels at any time once you purchase your home, but in order to get the most out of your investment, it’s best to act fast. Solar inflation is expected to increase over the next few years, as more and more homeowners seek out solar panels and solar batteries. Plus, solar incentives like the solar tax credit and SMART are time-sensitive; the sooner you install solar panels, the more savings you can receive.
When you buy a home with solar, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of solar energy as soon as you move in. But there are still a few things to consider before making an offer on a house that has solar panels:
First and foremost, you’ll want to find out who owns the system. If the current homeowners financed their panels or paid for the system in cash, they own the system and can sell it along with the house. If the system was leased, the current homeowners can either pay out the rest of the lease or transfer it to the new owner. If you decide to buy a house with leased solar panels, you’ll have to work with the current owners and your real estate agent to come to an agreement.
Asking the current owners how much electricity their system produces will give you a better understanding of how much money you can expect to save on your energy bills once you move in. You may also want to ask about solar incentives, like net metering and SMART to find out what kind of savings you can expect to receive from these programs.
Solar panels don’t last forever—most have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years. The age of a solar energy system affects its functionality and value, so you’ll want to find out when the system was installed and how many years it has left before you buy a house with solar panels.
Boston Solar is happy to answer any questions you may have about residential solar panel installation in Massachusetts. We’re a 100% locally owned and operated company, and we’re committed to helping Massachusetts homeowners go solar and save money. Give us a call today to learn more about the benefits of installing solar panels on your new home and find out how we can help make your solar journey as simple and stress-free as possible.
Get answers to all your questions about solar energy from the experts at Boston Solar. Call 617-858-1645 or contact us online to schedule a free solar consultation.
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