Buying a home with an existing solar system can be a great thing—or a confusing one. Some homeowners inherit a well-documented, high-performing system that quietly offsets their electric bill. Others are left wondering what they actually bought, who to call for help, and whether the system is even working.
Whether you’ve already purchased a home with solar or are considering buying one, this guide will walk you through what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to protect yourself moving forward.
Step 1: Establish What You Actually Bought (or Are Buying)
Before diving into apps, production numbers, or upgrades, start with the basics.
Create a physical or digital “Solar Binder.”
This will become your single source of truth for everything related to the system.
Start collecting:
- Installation contracts
- Equipment lists
- Warranties
- Monitoring login details
- Utility interconnection paperwork
- Past electric bills
If you’re still in escrow, request as much of this information as possible from the seller. If you’ve already closed, don’t worry—you can still track most of this down.
Step 2: Determine Ownership (Owned vs. Loan vs. Third-Party Owned)
This is one of the most important steps.
Owned System
If the seller owned the system outright, it typically transfers with the home like any other improvement.
Solar Loan
Some solar loans:
- Can be assumed by the new homeowner
- Must be paid off at sale
Confirm:
- Lender name
- Remaining balance
- Interest rate
- Transfer requirements
Third-Party Owned (TPO) System (Lease or PPA)
Many older systems are leased or under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
High-level things to know:
- You may be required to assume the agreement
- Buyout options vary by provider
- Contract terms can extend 20–25 years
We’ll cover TPO systems in more depth in a separate article, but at minimum you should understand who owns the system and what obligations come with it.
Step 3: Identify Who Installed the System (and If They’re Still Around)
Find out:
- Installer name
- Year of installation
- Whether they are still in business
If the installer is still operating, call them:
- Introduce yourself as the new homeowner
- Ask if they have records for your system
- Request a system inspection or service visit
If they’re no longer in business, don’t panic—this is increasingly common. Many service-first solar companies now specialize in maintaining and supporting legacy systems.
Step 4: Understand the Equipment on Your Roof
You’ll want to identify:
- Solar panel manufacturer and model
- Inverter type:
- String inverter
- Microinverters
- Power optimizers
- Monitoring platform (if any)
- System size (kW)
Once identified:
- Print or save the manufacturer datasheets
- Check whether any equipment has had:
- Known defects
- Recalls
- Warranty extensions
Keep these documents in your solar binder for future reference.
Step 5: Review Remaining Warranties (and How to Use Them)
Solar systems often include multiple warranties:
- Panel performance warranties (20–25 years)
- Inverter warranties (10–25 years depending on type)
- Workmanship warranties (installer-specific)
Key questions:
- Are the warranties transferable?
- Who administers them now?
- What’s required to file a claim?
Knowing this upfront can save you thousands if something fails down the road.
Step 6: Confirm the System Is Working as Intended
Just because you can’t see production doesn’t mean the system isn’t working—but you should verify.
Ways to check:
- Review recent electric bills to see if solar credits are showing up
- Compare seasonal usage year over year
- Check monitoring apps (if access exists)
- Ask your utility about the property’s interconnection history
Also consider:
- Has roof shading changed since installation? (Trees grow!)
- Are panels visibly damaged or heavily soiled?
- Does production roughly align with system size and location?
A professional inspection can quickly answer many of these questions.
Step 7: Evaluate Roof Condition and Long-Term Planning
Solar and roofing are closely connected.
Ask:
- How old is the roof?
- How much life remains?
- Will the roof need replacement before the panels reach end of life?
If a roof replacement is likely within 5–10 years, it’s worth planning ahead to avoid unnecessary removal and reinstallation costs.
Step 8: Establish a Service Relationship Going Forward
Even if everything looks good today, it’s smart to know who you’ll call if something goes wrong.
Options include:
- Original installer (if still active)
- Local service-first solar companies
- Annual or monthly solar service plans
A good service partner can:
- Perform inspections
- Monitor performance
- Alert you to issues
- Recommend upgrades or improvements
- Be available when you actually need help
You don’t need daily monitoring—but you do want someone watching the system’s health.
Is Buying a Home With Solar a Good Idea?
Often, yes—if you understand what you’re getting.
A properly documented, well-maintained solar system can:
- Lower monthly energy costs
- Add resilience and value
- Reduce future utility rate exposure
The key is clarity, not guesswork.
Final Checklist: What You Want to Know
By the end of this process, you should be able to confidently answer:
- What solar system do I have?
- Who installed it—and who services it now?
- Who owns it?
- What warranties still exist?
- Is it working as intended?
- Who do I call if something breaks?
If you can answer those questions, you’re in a great position—whether you’ve already bought the home or are still deciding.
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