A solar system is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your electric bills. But, what happens if you need to move? Circumstances can change quickly, and some people find themselves moving sooner than they anticipated. Fortunately, moving is not a dealbreaker.
You can bring the solar panels you’ve invested in with you or pass them along to the new buyers. Let’s examine both situations and get a better idea of which one is right for you! Should You Bring the Solar Panels With You? Whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, your first instinct may be to take the solar panels with you.
You’ve invested in them so far, and you probably want to continue reaping the benefits of low energy rates. However, some factors need to be considered with your new property. – Location of your new home. If you plan to move locally, the installation company may handle the removal and re-installation.
If you’re moving out of state, though, the process probably won’t be worth it. Removing the panels is involved and can void the warranty. – New rules and regulations. Contact the electric company for information on their solar program and how to connect the panels to the grid. Other things to ask about include permits, tax incentives, grants, and buying excess power.
– Sun and shade on the property. Even though solar panels work with most properties, some homes are better candidates than others. If you’re moving from a sunny state to a colder state, or your new home is heavily shaded, you may want to sell the panels with your current home.
- If your new home is a good candidate for solar panels, the next step is to talk with your solar provider about your options.
- Again, not all companies will remove the panels due to warranty concerns, but some will.
- Or Leave Them to the New Buyers? Selling your home with the panels is not necessarily a bad thing.
For one, a solar system is a strong selling point for those who want to lead a greener lifestyle. You may be able to raise the asking price and sell your home faster. Second, you don’t need to worry about damaging the roof and having to offer a credit or repair.
Are Solar Leases Different? Leases work differently because you don’t own the panels. In this case, call your solar provider and ask about moving the panels to the new location. If you don’t care to bring the panels with you, discuss your options with the company. Usually, this involves buying out the remaining money left on the lease.
If the panels do stay, it means the buyer would have to agree to take over the lease. The solar lease agreement would be transferred over and they could then enjoy the benefits of lowered energy bills. The process is simple, but it does take the right buyer.
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Can you take solar panels with you when you move UK?
Businesses can now take their solar panels with them when they relocate, allowing them to continue to reap the benefits of lower energy bills. From summer 2019 medium and large building-mounted solar PV systems will be allowed to be moved between buildings without the loss of Feed-in Tariff (FIT) payments. Previously, if a FIT accredited installation was moved it became ineligible for further support.
- Now, landlords and tenants who cannot guarantee having long-term ownership or lease of a building can move their solar PV and keep their tariff.
- This change will increase flexibility and make solar PV a much more attractive investment for businesses.
- Announcing the changes, Minister for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd said: “Solar PV is already used by thousands of businesses and by removing barriers more will be able to reap the benefits of lower energy bills.
“People have the power to generate their own electricity and now there is even more of an incentive. Not only will rooftop solar drive down bills and create jobs, it will help us deliver the clean, reliable energy supplies that the country needs.” The UK has around 250,000 hectares of south facing commercial rooftops – the equivalent of 350,000 football pitches – so there is enormous potential to turn more of our buildings into power stations.
- Solar increasingly offers efficient and cost effective onsite generation opportunities to both businesses and domestic consumers.
- More deployment of solar PV will help cut energy bills, reduce pressure on the national grid and create jobs.
- The definition of building-mounted solar under the FIT will also be amended to require the building to use at least 10 per cent of the electricity generated.
Further changes will mean transfers will now be allowed four years after the legislation comes into force and from then on at any point during the FIT payment period. Installations will not be required to remain the same size. The government response to the consultation has been published.
Can you move a solar system?
If you own your system, you can simply add it to the sale of your home. Solar can be an attractive selling point and it has the potential to sell your home faster at a higher price. If you lease your solar system you can’t move it unless you buy out the lease. Moving a solar system is a tricky process, you are usually much better off selling the system with your home.
Can you take down solar panels?
Solar Panel Removal & Reinstallation Service in South East UK Occasionally there is a need for solar panels to be removed from the roof. This can be for a variety of reasons including:
Planned building works Localized roof repair Complete reroofing (particularly with roofs with very old tiles or flat roofs) Disposal of panels that are old and don’t function anymore (often thermal panels)
Rayotec can help to remove & reinstall both solar thermal panels & solar PV panels. These panels can be reinstalled on the same roof or a different roof if required. We have our own teams of roofers, PV electricians and solar thermal heating engineers to help with both domestic and commercial projects.
A photo of the array panels and a photo showing the whole side of the house including 3m of ground next to the house Technology type (solar PV or hot water panels)Whether safe access (scaffolding) will be provided by othersYour address and contact details
Additional information if you require reinstallation
Are you changing the tile type of the roof (roof fixings are tile specific – not required if disposing of panels) Are you changing the location or layout of the panels (changes the number of fixing required and length of rails) Are you reinstalling all the panels (fewer panels may affect the inverters performance) Is the pitch or orientation of some of the panels going to change (may not work with current inverter) Are all the internal components going to stay in place
Do we cover your area? Domestic Projects: We cover Surrey, Hampshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Kent, Berkshire & most of London. Commercial Projects: We cover the South East, Greater London, the Midlands and Bristol & Bath Enter your details below and one of our team will be in touch PV panels are relatively easy to remove and reinstall due to their simple design.
The system needs to be electrically isolated first to make it safe to work on. The solar panels, rails, hooks and then removed and stored safely on site. As long as type of roof tile is not changed, we should be able to use the existing roof frame when reinstalling thus saving money. Occasionally when building works is being undertaken, the roof space is reduced and not all the panels can fit back on.
We can calculate whether the old inverter works effectively with the reduce array size or if a new inverter is required. If necessary, we can also fit new inverters that allow panels to be fitted on multiple roofs.
Is it hard to sell a house with solar panels?
Are Solar Panels a Selling Point? – For most homebuyers, solar panels are indeed a selling point. In addition to the fact that solar panel systems don’t require much maintenance, they can also lower or eventually eliminate utility bills, increase home value, and allow the homeowner to take advantage of money-saving tax rebates and credits.
What happens to the solar panels when you sell your house?
What If I’m Selling a Home with a Leased Solar PV System? – Many homeowners wonder what will happen if they choose to install a leased solar PV system and then sell their home before the end of the lease term. (We go into further detail about leasing vs. owning a solar PV system on our solar financing page.) Generally, you have two options when selling a home with leased solar panels:
- Pay the rest of the lease. Buying out the remainder of your lease allows you to own your solar energy system before you sell your home. That way, you can sell the system as part of the home and command a higher selling price.
- Transfer the lease to the new homeowner. This option allows you to transfer the lease agreement to the new homeowner’s name. While of course some home buyers out there may not feel ready to take over a solar lease, studies have found that many are willing to assume a solar lease.
Is it expensive to move solar panels?
How Much Does Solar Panel Removal & Reinstall Cost? 
The average cost to remove and reinstall solar panels is about $3,750, Solar R&R costs range from $1,500 to $6,000 in the US for 2022. According to, ” On average, residential installations tend to cost somewhere between $1,500 to $6,000 to remove and reinstall.
- This is not inclusive of the cost required to replace your actual roof.
- On average, it costs about $500 with average prices ranging from $400 to $600 in the US for 2022 according to,
- They also add another $200 for shipping equipment off site and $600 for uninstalling the solar panel mounting hardware, putting your closer to around $1,000 total to remove solar panels.
HomeAdvisor estimates another $800 to get your roof work completed. Total estimated costs to remove and reinstall solar panels costs about $714, with average prices ranging from $195 to $1,236 in the US for 2022 according to, Common reasons homeowners choose to remove solar panels include:
Transferring the system to another home Repairing, replacing or improving their roofing systems Getting rid of a broken or outdated solar system Updating to a brand new solar system Replacing solar panels
says, ” Even if you own your panels outright, just removing them from your roof will cost around $300 to $500 “.
Can you move solar panels from house to house?
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 to switch to clean home solar, you can prepay for the remainder of your service and bundle it into the selling price of your home.
How can I get out of my solar contract?
Can I Get Out of a Solar Lease Contract and Why Solar Leases Are Bad? – In most cases, the only way out is to spend more money. Yeah, that’s probably not what you wanted to hear. Sadly, large companies like SunRun, Tesla, or other solar lease companies write solar lease contracts to be a long-term agreement between you and them, and they don’t want you to end your contract early.
Solar lease buyout – Buy out the remaining part of the solar lease or keep making monthly payments Purchase the solar PV system in its entirety at market price Transfer your solar lease agreement
The buyout method requires you to prepay the balance of what you owe on the solar lease. You can then remove the solar panels or use the system independently. Most solar companies that lease do include a buyout price and period in your contract, so at least they won’t be making the number up on the fly.
- You know what you are getting into before you undertake the financial burden of a buyout.
- However, buyouts usually aren’t an option until year five or seven of your lease.
- If you just got into the agreement, check your contract, but you may be in the lease for a while.
- Your contract may allow for market value purchasing.
This way is a little slipperier than the buyout. Usually, the solar company brings in an appraiser to assess your system’s value. The assessment considers your system’s age and current, comparable options available on the market. Still, you may end up paying more than if you just finished your contract or financed in the beginning.
Your solar PV system is an appreciating asset. You may be thinking that transferring your solar lease will save the day. You were going to sell your home anyway, now may be the time. Good thought, and solar does improve the value of your home, Win-win, right? Well, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), homes with solar panels sell 20% faster and for higher values than comparable non-solar homes, but a new buyer may not want to take over your lease agreement.
They would rather own the system, and you may become a valuable asset. Now, you might have to revert to the buyout option. Solar leases make getting out a lot harder than getting in. Related Articles: 30% Solar Tax Credit Is Back! – Inflation Reduction Act NEM 3.0 – How California Solar Is Changing In 2022 5 Steps To The Right Solar Company Solar Lease VS Solar PPA Top 10 Solar Panel Benefits – Reasons to Go Solar Best Solar Panels In 2022 – Top 5 Manufacturers
Do solar panels affect neighbors property values?
Hi Crystal! I don’t think installing solar panels would affect the price of a neighbor’s property, even if the roofs are connected, such as in your townhome situation. One would have to see the property to get an idea of the visual impact. A poor quality installation might have an effect on your home values.
Do you have to register solar panels?
Solar panels
Cut your electricity bills Reduce your carbon footprint Receive payments for extra energy you generate
Solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. By installing solar panels, you can generate your own renewable electricity. A solar PV panel consists of many cells made from layers of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon.
- When light shines on this material, a flow of electricity is created.
- The cells don’t need direct sunlight to work and can even work on cloudy days.
- However, the stronger the sunshine, the more electricity generated.
- Solar PV systems are made up of several panels, with each panel generating around 355W of energy in strong sunlight.
Typical systems contain around 10 panels and generate direct current (DC) electricity. Because the electricity used for household appliances is alternating current (AC), an inverter is installed along with the system to convert DC electricity to AC. This electricity can be used throughout your home, or exported to the grid.
Space is a key consideration. The average system size is around 3.5kWp and this will typically take up around 20m 2 roof area. An unshaded, South facing roof is ideal for maximum electrical output. East or West facing roofs could still be considered, but North facing roofs are not recommended.
A system facing East or West will yield around 15-20% less energy than one facing directly South. Shaded roofs Any nearby buildings, trees or chimneys could shade your roof and have a negative impact on the performance of your system. Finding an unshaded spot is best, however sometimes shading is unavoidable.
Some solar PV systems can minimise the impact of shading using ‘optimisers’. If you don’t have shading, the use of optimisers is not necessary or beneficial, other than the increased monitoring opportunities they offer – they won’t generate more energy. Solar PV panels are considered ‘permitted developments’ and often don’t require planning permission. However, exceptions apply and it’s best to check with your local planning office for guidance. If you live in a listed building, conservation area or national park, additional restrictions may apply. Use the solar energy calculator to get a better idea of the benefits you may see from installing a solar PV system.
Sunlight is free, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation, your electricity costs will be reduced. Find out how much you could save by using the, Solar electricity is low carbon, renewable energy. A typical home solar PV system could save around one tonne of carbon per year, depending on where you live in the UK.
During daylight hours, you’ll be generating electricity even on cloudy days, but if you’re using more power around your home than your panels are generating, or during the evening when your panels are not generating any electricity, you’ll be supplementing this by importing electricity from the grid. As your solar PV system will be working at its peak during daylight hours, it’s a good idea to run your electrical appliances such as your washing machine, dishwasher, and iron during the day. If you’re at home, then this may be easier to do, but if you are away during the day, you could try setting timers for your dishwasher and washing machine. You can combine solar PV with other renewable technologies such as heat pumps or, These technologies work well with each other, as solar PV could help power a heat pump, for example, or several of these systems could feed into a, PV diverters are a low-cost and low maintenance option for increasing your own consumption of solar electricity (ie using the electricity generated by your own solar PV panels). Most of the time your solar PV system either:
Isn’t generating enough energy for your household’s demand, and is supplemented by importing electricity from the grid, or Is generating excess electricity above your demand and exporting that electricity back to the grid.
Instead of sending surplus electricity to the grid, a PV diverter switch can power the immersion heater in your hot water tank, storing hot water for you to use later. On its own, excess solar energy is unlikely to meet all your hot water needs, but it can help reduce your bills. A PV diverter switch installation could add around £800 to your installation costs. If you’re interested in using PV diverter, speak with your installer. They might also suggest increasing the number of panels on your roof to provide more electricity for your hot water needs. You could also export the excess electricity to the grid and consider applying for export payments via a, Other options for renewable hot water include, or fitting a whole-house heating system such as a heat pump or.
With any domestic PV system, there will be times when the electricity you generate is more than you can use or store, so the surplus will be exported to the grid to be used by somebody else. If you want to be paid for exporting, you need to make sure you’re getting an export payment.
If you were able to claim the Feed-in Tariff (this closed to new applications at the end of March 2019), then you will be getting export payments as part of that. If not, you need to find an energy company that will pay you for this surplus. Following the closure of the in March 2019, the (SEG) was introduced to provide financial support to small-scale renewable energy generators for the electricity they export to the grid.
The savings from solar PV with the SEG are considerably higher than without it. In Great Britain, the pays you for the electricity you generate. In Northern Ireland, you can get paid for any surplus you export – usually estimated based on how much you generate.
- Several organisations offer this service, so if you’re interested, we recommend researching their offers to find one that works for you.
- The average domestic solar PV system is 3.5kWp and costs around £5,500.
- The amount you will pay is influenced by the size of array and will be affected by any difficulty with access to your roof.
Some of the installation costs can be shared if you already have scaffolding up for roof repairs or if you are building a new house. Costs are also affected by whether you choose panels or tiles, and whether you opt for building-integrated panels or choose panels that sit on top of your roof.
t CO2 saved/year = 0.78. Updated to reflect October 2022 figures.
| With SEG | Without SEG | |
| Home all day | 11 years | 13 years |
| Home in mornings | 13 years | 16 years |
| Home in afternoons | 13 years | 18 years |
| Out all day until 4pm | 16 years | No payback |
| Out all day until 6pm | 18 years | No payback |
/ul>
t CO2 saved/year = 0.7. Updated to reflect October 2022 figures.
| With SEG | Without SEG | |
| Home all day | 11 years | 14 years |
| Home in mornings | 13 years | 17 years |
| Home in afternoons | 14 years | 19 years |
| Out all day until 4pm | 17 years | No payback |
| Out all day until 6pm | 19 years | No payback |
/ul>
t CO2 saved/year = 0.68. Updated to reflect October 2022 figures.
| With SEG | Without SEG | |
| Home all day | 12 years | 14 years |
| Home in mornings | 13 years | 17 years |
| Home in afternoons | 14 years | 19 years |
| Out all day until 4pm | 18 years | No payback |
| Out all day until 6pm | 20 years | No payback |
/ul>
t CO2 saved/year = 0.62. Updated to reflect October 2022 figures.
| With SEG | Without SEG | |
| Home all day | 12 years | 14 years |
| Home in mornings | 14 years | 18 years |
| Home in afternoons | 15 years | 19 years |
| Out all day until 4pm | 19 years | No payback |
| Out all day until 6pm | 21 years | No payback |
/ul>
t CO2 saved/year = 0.85. Updated to reflect October 2022 figures.
| Home all day | 24 years |
| Home in mornings | No payback |
| Home in afternoons | No payback |
| Out all day until 4pm | No payback |
| Out all day until 6pm | No payback |
/ul> Most households will use about 15-25% of the energy you generate, though this can change quite dramatically based on:
Whether you work from home. How many people are at home during the day. Whether you have an electric vehicle. Whether you heat your home or hot water using a heat pump or other electrical heating. Whether your cooking is done using electricity.
Instead of sending surplus electricity to the grid, a PV diverter switch can power the immersion heater in your hot water tank, storing hot water for you to use later. On its own, excess solar energy is unlikely to meet all of your hot water needs, but it can help reduce your bills.
Solar PV systems need little maintenance. Keep an eye on nearby trees to ensure they don’t begin to overshadow your system. In the UK, panels that are tilted at 15 degrees or more benefit from being cleaned by rainfall, which helps to ensure optimal performance. Debris is more likely to build up if you have ground-mounted panels, or if you live in an area with more dust in the air.
In these cases, you might need to have the panels cleaned occasionally. Once fitted, your installer should leave written details of any maintenance checks that you should carry out to ensure everything is working properly. This should include details of the main inverter fault signals and key troubleshooting guidance.
- Ideally, your installer should demonstrate this to you once the system has been installed.
- Eeping a close eye on your system and the amount of electricity it’s generating (alongside the weather conditions) will help you understand what to expect and alert you to when something might be wrong.
- The panels should last 25 years or more, but the inverter is likely to need replacing sometime during this period, at a cost of around £800 (depending on system size and the manufacturer).
Some inverters have online monitoring functions and can warn you by email if the system fails. Most inverters have warranties of five years as a minimum, which can often be extended up to 15 years. Speak to your installer about the likely lifespan and benefit of an extended warranty.
- You might find that a 15-year warranty costs almost as much as a replacement inverter, so consider it carefully.
- Consult with your installer for exact maintenance requirements before you commit to installing a solar PV system.
- If you live in Scotland, you can read case studies of homeowners who’ve installed solar panels on the,
Last updated: 14 October 2022 : Solar panels
How do I transfer my solar panels to a new owner Eon?
You will need to complete a Transfer of Ownership form and take a photo of the generation meter clearly showing the serial number and reading on the day you complete the purchase. You then need to send us the form and the relevant documents to [email protected].
