Realtor reveals windfall benefit of rooftop solar: ‘A big selling point’

As communities respond to the challenges of rising global temperatures, they can also take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

Among clean energies, solar energy has become one of the fastest growing technologies. Small-scale rooftop solar is growing rapidly in the US, having produced 10 times more energy by 2022 than a decade earlier. Today, real estate agents reveal the unexpected benefit of rooftop solar: tools that reduce demand.

Originally highlighted in a study conducted by the University of Texas at Austin, the discovery that distributed energy resources reduce demand on the power grid has shown great promise in being cost-effective for energy needs. These include energy technologies such as rooftop solar, community solar and battery storage.

Community solar in particular has grown in popularity as you can subscribe to solar panels located on a solar farm. This allows you to get credits back on your electricity bills for the solar energy produced by your share of the panels, effectively reducing your monthly energy bills by up to 10%. A big aspect of this is accessibility, as community solar opens the door for more people to participate in the clean energy transition.

Utilities have historically lagged behind in the transition as DERs impact revenues. However, policies that incentivize clean energy, such as those proposed by the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers a 30% tax credit for homes with rooftop solar, have pushed distributed companies to adapt yes slowly

According to the American Public Power Association, DERs can benefit utilities by reducing reliance on new utility generation assets and ancillary services, which also lowers transmission costs.

In addition, adopting renewable energy for the home reduces the amount of harmful air pollution and increases resilience to extreme events such as power outages.

A Zillow report found that properties with a rooftop solar panel system sold for 4.1 percent more compared to homes without a solar power system, according to a CNET release. For a median-valued home, that would be up to $9,300.

A Los Angeles County Compass realtor told CNET that solar power is a “huge selling point” when talking to potential home buyers.

🗣️ If you had to install solar panels at home, which of these factors would be your main motivation?

🔘 Energy independence ⚡

🔘 Lower electricity bills 💰

🔘 Helping the planet 🌎

🔘 There is no possibility that solar will ever happen 🚫

🗳️ Click on your choice to see the results and have your say

With 3 in 5 Americans seeing the value that solar panels bring to property values, the EnergySage Energy Market Center offers free tools to get solar estimates for interested homeowners.

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