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Can I Move My Solar Panels to Another House?
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If you have solar panels and decide to move, we’re here to support you with every step.
We have an entire team of professionals standing by to help you transfer your contract and pass along your solar agreement to the new owner.
Whether you bought a solar energy system or are leasing solar panels, rooftop solar panels and a home battery can be a great selling point for your home. The new owner can take advantage of your solar panel system, like net metering, more predictable electric bills, and clean, renewable energy for their family.
What do I need to do to sell my Sunrun home?
Not much.
First, we recommend downloading our service transfer packets. There are three of them.
Home Seller Guide: This packet contains everything you need to know about selling a home with solar systems.
Home Buyer Guide: This packet contains everything you need to know about buying a home with solar energy systems. (Pro Tip: download and print several copies of these packets and make them available during your open house.)
Home Realtor Guide: This packet contains everything you need to know about marketing a home with solar power.
How can I transfer my sunrun service agreement if I move?
We as a solar company have done thousands of solar service transfers, and our team of Service Transfer Specialists is here to guide you through the process. The specialist knows all the ins and outs of your specific service agreement, whether you bought your system or are on a solar lease, and can facilitate the transfer on your behalf. Better yet, we guarantee that the new owners will qualify for our solar energy system.
After you let potential buyers know upfront about your solar service transfer, we’ll handle everything from educating realtors and potential buyers to working with escrow officers, title agents, home inspectors, and anyone else who might need to know about your solar panels or solar service agreement.
Once you’ve found a buyer, you’ll both sign Sunrun’s service transfer paperwork, and then we’ll run a soft credit check on the buyer.
After the buyer’s credit checks out, all you have to do is send us confirmation that escrow has closed and you’ll be done.
How can I ensure a smooth move with a Sunrun contract and home solar equipment?
We know that buying or selling a home can be a complicated process. That’s why our aim is to make any solar service transfer as uncomplicated and hassle-free as possible.
Here are some tips if you’re preparing to sell your home:
Contact Sunrun’s Service Transfer team before your home goes on the market. This gives us as the solar installer plenty of time to introduce ourselves to your realtor and provide you with educational materials about the benefits of solar energy to rising energy costs for prospective buyers.
It’s crucial that your realtor is as informed as you are about the value of home solar.
After educating potential buyers and realtors about the benefits of solar, let them know that transferring the solar agreement is a contingency of the home sale. When you’re upfront about the agreement, you’ll help avoid any misunderstanding during negotiations.
What can I do if my home’s buyer is not interested in transferring my solar service agreement?
In the unlikely event that the buyer doesn’t want a home with solar panels, you can prepay for the remainder of your service and bundle it into the selling price of your home. After paying for the remainder of your service, the new buyers will receive solar power from Sunrun until the end of the agreement. At the end of the term, Sunrun will remove the solar system at no extra cost.
What happens to my Sunrun equipment if I move?
Once our Service Transfer team fully transfers your Sunrun service agreement to the new owner, the home solar installation can stay in the home.
What if I want to keep my solar panels when I move?
We’re happy to hear that you’re interested in keeping your solar panels. Here are some things to keep in mind before making a decision:
Eligibility. To buy your solar panels, you must have had the system for a set number of years (see your Sunrun agreement for details), and your new home must be eligible to have your existing system installed on it.
Fee. To check eligibility, we’ll charge an evaluation fee to visit your new home and decide if it’s the right fit for your current solar system.
Moving. If we determine your new home is a good fit for your current solar system, we’ll ask that you reach out to a third party to move and connect your system. We don’t offer that service ourselves (see Sunrun agreement for details).
Benefits. If you buy your solar system, you forfeit some of the benefits you receive from having a Sunrun-owned system such as proactive solar monitoring, performance guarantee, and certain insurance options.
Ownership. If you buy your solar system, you would own it outright and any benefits associated with it including all solar production and potential increase in home value.
Though transferring your existing system to your new home is an option, it may make more financial sense to sell the solar system with your home and invest in another system when you move.1
Consider purchasing solar panels and a home battery when you move to your new home and take advantage of incentives like a state solar tax credit, the federal investment tax credit, and local rebates.
How hard is it to move my solar panels to my new home?
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and still find yourself wanting to move your solar system, consider these important factors:
Complexity and cost. Moving solar panels can be a tricky and expensive affair. These panels are tightly secured to rooftops, and removing them often leaves holes in the roof that need fixing. If you've got a big solar system, maybe it's worth considering, but for smaller setups, it might not be. Removing solar panels alone could cost you around $300 to $1,000 per panel.
Distance. Moving locally will be easier to do. But longer distances, like outside of your state, can complicate things, especially regarding different solar installation regulations and the availability of professional help.
New roof. Since solar panels can last over 25 years, often outliving the roofs they're installed on, it's essential to mount them on a roof that's structurally sound. Additionally, the amount of available roof space and its layout changes how many panels you can mount. A smaller or differently shaped roof might not accommodate all your existing panels.
Sun exposure. The amount of sunlight your new location receives significantly affects the performance of solar panels. If your new home experiences less sunlight, worse weather conditions, or more shade, the efficiency of your solar panels could be compromised. The location and orientation of the roof in relation to the sun also play a role in performance. While you don't need a perfect south-facing roof in a sunny state to benefit from solar power, optimal sun exposure can maximize the return on your investment in solar panels.
Delicate nature. Solar panels are quite delicate. They’re sensitive to shocks, vibrations, and can be easily damaged during handling and transport. This sensitivity is another reason why moving them yourself isn’t recommended.
What if I bought my Sunrun solar system?
If you bought your solar system up-front or with a solar loan, how you handle the transfer will be up to you. While you can uninstall your solar system and take it to your new home, this can be complicated and costly.1 We recommend that you sell it with your home and include the cost of the solar system in your home’s selling price. Recent studies show that rooftop solar panels not only increase the value of a home but may also help it to sell faster.2
Home solar installations can increase home value
Families across the country want in on renewable, clean energy, showing readiness to partner with a solar company like Sunrun for the investment in installing solar panels. Homebuyers are even prepared to pay a $15,000 premium for average home solar installations,2 as solar panels generate added value. This trend is driven by a shift away from fossil fuels to sustainable solar energy. According to a study focused on homeowner-owned solar arrays, homes in California with energy-efficient features sold more quickly than those without.3
For those considering solar options, a solar company like Sunrun offers various financing options, including a power purchase agreement or a solar loan, making the transition smoother for both homeowners and potential buyers. With a reputable solar installer, the process of installing solar panels into homes becomes a seamless experience.
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