Solar heating

[dennisb66]

Does the fitting of Solar panels on the roof add value to the home ?

[buildersmate]

Too early to say, but probably not (in my opinion). But it depends on how the installation is done. Some of these hideous black panels that are being installed in the front elevation of houses are bound to put customers off wanting the house - and it is the demand for a house that drives the market price. Alao the legal contract to have the thing stuck on the roof for 25 years (if you've signed a contract and not paid the for yourself) is going to be a long-term issue I think.
On the other hand, you save money on your electricity bills.

[Twenty20]

One of my concerns would be the potential maintenance costs in the future - the inverter (which turns the solar energy into electricity) needs replacing after about 10 years. They cost over £1,000 alone. If the panels have been on the roof for a number of years I'd figure in a potential bill for replacement in a few years time and knock that off the purchase price (in the same way you would knock off money if the house had a boiler which would need replacing shortly). For this reason, I can't see that a house with solar panels would be worth more than one without, but people look for different things when purchasing a property and, for some, it may be a positive thing.

[Ash_678]

I would expect that a lot of families would be keen to move into a green home where they would save money on their electricity which should add value to your home when you come to sell it.

Check out question 5 at http://www.engensa.com/faqs.html for more details.

[AlBags]

'Should' being the operative word. Not in practice tho, I think.