Yes for owned systems, measurably. No — sometimes negatively — for leased ones. The distinction matters more than any headline number.
What the research found
The two most-cited studies point the same direction. Zillow's 2019 analysis of listing data found homes with solar sold for about 4.1% more than comparable homes without. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, using paired-sales analysis across multiple states, put the premium near $4 per watt of installed capacity — roughly $32,000 for an 8 kW system at the high end, though LBL's central estimates cluster lower and vary by market. Our Home Value Impact Estimator uses a conservative ~$4,000/kW and shows the sensitivity range.
Why the premium exists
A buyer of a solar home is buying pre-paid electricity. If the system reliably cuts $1,800/year from bills, that stream has present value, and appraisers increasingly recognize it (the Appraisal Institute publishes solar valuation guidance, and Fannie Mae allows solar value in appraisals for owned systems). The premium is strongest where electricity is expensive, solar is common enough for comps to exist, and the system is young.
The caveats that shrink it
Three things cut against the headline numbers. Age: a 20-year-old system nearing inverter replacement adds far less than a 3-year-old one. Market familiarity: in low-solar markets, appraisers may credit little without an appraisal addendum documenting production. The 2026 incentive change: with the federal purchase credit gone, a working installed system arguably becomes more valuable relative to installing new — but the research predates this, so treat post-2025 premiums as an open question rather than settled data.
Leases are the exception
A leased system is not an asset — it's a 25-year payment obligation attached to the roof. Buyers must qualify for and assume the lease, or the seller must buy it out, and both add friction. Real-estate agents consistently report leased systems slowing sales, and in some cases cutting offers. If resale value is part of your solar case, ownership is the only path that captures it.
Solar is one piece of a bigger household-finance picture. For decisions that touch your taxes, retirement timeline, or home equity, it can be worth talking to a financial advisor through a directory like AdvisorWorld — alongside primary sources such as DOE, DSIRE, and the IRS.