The quick answer
Solar panels do increase a UK home's value — but by a modest 2–7%, not the dramatic figures some sellers quote. On a £300,000 home, that's roughly £6,000 to £21,000.
The most commonly cited figure is Rightmove's 2–3% for existing homes with solar. A 2024 Swansea University study (based on 5 million listings) found a higher 6–7%. And new-build "zero-bill" homes with solar, battery and a heat pump can be worth up to 16% more.
The key point: solar's real value to a buyer is lower energy bills, which makes a home more attractive and faster to sell. The price uplift is a modest bonus — not the main reason to install.
What the research says
| Source | Value uplift | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rightmove (existing homes) | 2–3% | Most commonly cited |
| Swansea University (2024, 5m listings) | 6.1–7.1% | Largest UK dataset |
| Solar Energy UK (2021) | 0.9–2% | More conservative, older |
| Cambridge University (new-build zero-bill) | up to 16% | Solar + battery + heat pump |
Sources: Rightmove Greener Homes Report 2025, Swansea University (2024), Solar Energy UK (2021), University of Cambridge Department of Land Economy. Figures verified August 2026.
The honest truth: value vs saleability
Here's what the research doesn't always make clear — and why the numbers vary so much:
- Correlation isn't causation. Homes with solar tend to be newer, better-maintained and in better locations. Some of the 6–7% "solar premium" is really a "nice house" premium.
- The real benefit is saleability. Rightmove found mentions of solar in listings rose ~40% in 2025, and 30% of buyers believe green upgrades add value. A solar home may sell faster and attract more interest, even if the final price uplift is modest.
- Buyers can install solar themselves. Unlike a kitchen or extension (which are disruptive), solar is a bolt-on. So buyers won't pay you a huge premium for something they can add later.
The EPC rating effect
Solar panels improve your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating — and EPC jumps have a more reliable value impact than the panels themselves:
| EPC improvement | Rightmove value uplift |
|---|---|
| D → C | ~4% |
| E → C | ~8% |
| F → C | ~16% |
Solar is one of the measures that helps a home climb these bands — often combined with insulation and a heat pump. For a home already at EPC C, adding solar alone moves the rating less, and the value impact is smaller.
New-build vs existing homes
The biggest premiums apply to new-build homes built to "zero-bill" specification — solar panels plus battery storage plus a heat pump. Cambridge University research suggests these can be worth up to 16% more, because a genuinely bill-free home is a compelling, easy-to-understand selling point.
For an existing home retrofitting solar, the uplift is far smaller (2–3%), because the effect on bills is smaller and the home still depends on the grid for heating and much of its power.
What changes the uplift
- Owned vs leased — a system you own outright adds value; a rent-a-roof or leased system can actually deter buyers (someone else owns the roof).
- System age and condition — a new system with warranty adds more than a 15-year-old one.
- Region — southern homes generate more solar, so the "lower bills" pitch is stronger there.
- Overall energy efficiency — solar on a draughty, poorly-insulated home moves the needle less than on an already-efficient one.
Why it's the wrong reason to buy
If your goal is purely to increase your sale price, solar is a weak bet. You're unlikely to recoup the full £6,000–£10,000 install cost through a higher asking price alone. The people who sell solar as a "house value" investment are usually the ones selling solar.
The right reason to install solar is the money you save on bills — which is real, predictable, and pays back in 8–12 years whether or not you ever sell. The house-value uplift is a welcome bonus on top, not the justification.
Solar pays you twice: ~£500–£900/year in bill savings while you live there, plus a 2–7% uplift if you sell. Combined, that's a genuinely strong investment — but the savings do the heavy lifting, not the resale value.
See your real savings
The bill savings are what make solar worth it — the house value is a bonus. Calculate yours.
Calculate my savings →FAQ
Will solar panels pay for themselves through house value?
No. The 2–7% uplift won't reliably cover the install cost on its own. Solar pays for itself through bill savings over 8–12 years; the resale uplift is a bonus.
Do I need to own the panels for them to add value?
Yes. Owned systems add value. Leased or rent-a-roof systems (where a company owns the panels) can actually reduce buyer appeal, because the buyer inherits a contract and someone else's equipment on their roof.
Is solar a good selling point in 2026?
Yes — buyer interest is rising (Rightmove: ~40% more solar mentions in listings in 2025). It's a genuine selling point, just not a huge price premium.
Sources: Rightmove Greener Homes Report 2025, Swansea University (2024), Solar Energy UK (2021), University of Cambridge Department of Land Economy, The Independent. Figures verified August 2026. Property value estimates are indicative and vary by market.
Disclaimer: this guide is for general information only and is not financial or property advice. Property values depend on location, market conditions and individual circumstances.