Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value? UK Research

The short answer

There is no official figure for how much solar panels alone add to a house price in the UK. What the research does show is that more energy-efficient homes tend to sell for more, and solar panels are one of the upgrades that can improve a home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.

In this article, we look at what the published research says, what buyers are looking for and what affects how much value renewable energy adds to your home.

What the research says about energy efficiency and house prices

In 2013, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published research on more than 325,000 homes sold in England between 1995 and 2011. It found that, on average, homes rated A or B on their EPC sold for 14% more than similar homes rated G. The premium was 10% for homes rated C and 8% for homes rated D.

Rightmove’s 2023 analysis of 300,000 homes sold twice in 15 years found a similar pattern. When a home’s EPC rating improved to C, the average price premium was:

3% for a home previously rated D
7% for a home previously rated E
15% for a home previously rated F

Both studies measure the effect of a better EPC rating, not solar panels on their own. The DECC report also notes that its figures are not a forecast of future house prices.

How solar panels affect your EPC rating

Your EPC rating reflects how much energy your home uses and where that energy comes from. Solar panels generate electricity on site, so they are one of the measures an EPC can recommend. Rightmove’s 2024 Greener Homes Report lists solar panels among the upgrades that add points to a home’s EPC score.

How many points they add depends on your home, the size of the system and the other measures already in place. An EPC assessment shows the effect for your property.

Why buyers are looking for solar panels

Interest in renewable energy among home movers is growing. Rightmove reports that “solar panels” has moved into its top 100 property search terms since 2020.

Running costs are a big part of this. In its 2024 report, Rightmove estimated that a three-bedroom semi-detached home rated F could spend £4,312 a year on energy, compared with £1,681 for the same home rated C. In the same report, 81% of home movers said they would consider green upgrades if they saved on bills.

What affects how much value solar panels add?

1. Ownership

Panels you own outright are part of your home. Leased panels, often sold as rent-a-roof schemes, can complicate a sale. UK Finance states that most lenders’ mortgage conditions require the lender’s consent to a roof lease, so buyers and their lenders will need to review the lease terms.

2. Paperwork

Buyers and their solicitors will want to see the system’s documents. Keep these together:

MCS certificate
Electrical installation certificate
Product and workmanship warranties
Confirmation that your electricity network operator was notified
Your Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) details

3. Age and condition

A well-maintained system with warranties still running is easier for a buyer to value than an older system with no records.

4. Export payments

Under the Smart Export Guarantee, licensed energy suppliers pay small-scale generators for electricity exported to the grid. Each supplier sets its own rate, which must always be above zero.

Choosing a solar installer

The installer you choose affects more than the day of the installation. It affects your eligibility for export payments, the warranties you get and how easy the paperwork is when you come to sell. A good installation is part of what makes solar panels add value to a home.

What to look for

MCS certification. Check the installer on the MCS Find an Installer search. To be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee, MCS says your system must be installed by an MCS certified installer using certified products.
A consumer code. Check the installer belongs to a consumer code for renewable energy, such as the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC).
Registered electricians. Ask who will carry out and certify the electrical work, and check they are registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT.
A full survey before the final quote. Your roof, wiring and energy use should be checked before you are given a final price.
A clear, written quote. It should list the panels, inverter, any battery, scaffolding and what is included in the price.
Written warranties. Ask for the product warranties, the workmanship warranty and details of any insurance-backed guarantee.
The paperwork handled for you. Ask who will notify your network operator and issue your MCS certificate and electrical certificates.
Independent reviews. Read recent reviews on sites such as Trustpilot, Google and Checkatrade.

What to look out for

Cheap installs with no accreditations. Be wary of small operators offering low prices who cannot show MCS certification or other accreditations. An installation that is not MCS certified may not qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee, and it can be harder to explain to a buyer’s surveyor or solicitor.
Teams without the right experts. A solar installation involves surveying, roofing, electrical work and aftercare. Be cautious if an installer cannot tell you who will carry out each part of the job and what qualifications they hold.
Cold calls and doorstep sales. MCS warns that cold callers and doorstep sellers often offer urgent deals.
Prices that seem too good to be true. As MCS puts it, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Quotes without a survey. A price given over the phone or without anyone checking your roof is unlikely to reflect your home.
Pressure to sign on the day. A reputable installer will give you time to compare quotes and read the terms.
“Free” panels on a roof lease. Read the lease carefully, as lenders need to consent to a roof lease before they will lend on the property.

At Heatforce, we’re MCS and RECC Certified, and our team handles the survey, installation, paperwork and aftercare.

Find out more about our solar panel and battery installations.

Do solar panels make a house harder to sell?

Rightmove notes that estate agents are much more likely to highlight solar panels as a selling point. Leased panels are the main exception, because of the lender consent needed for a roof lease.

Frequently asked questions

Do solar panels increase home value in the UK?

Research shows that homes with better EPC ratings tend to sell for more. Solar panels can improve an EPC rating, but no official study gives a figure for solar panels alone.

Do solar panels improve an EPC rating?

They can. Solar panels are one of the measures that add points to an EPC score, and an EPC assessment shows the effect for your home.

Can I sell a house with leased solar panels?

Yes, but it can take longer. According to UK Finance, most lenders need to consent to a roof lease before they will lend on the property.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

Yes. Panels generate electricity from daylight, so they still produce power on cloudy days, although output is lower than in direct sunshine.

Sources

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