What to Ask Your Realtor When Selling a Home With Solar Panels
Selling a house with solar panels? First of all—nice move. You’ve already invested in smarter energy, lower utility bills, and a cleaner future. Now it’s time to make sure your investment pays off when you sell. But not all realtors know solar—some simply nod and smile. What’s your job? Ask the right questions. Their job is to know the answers. Here’s what to ask your realtor when selling a solar-powered home in Tampa—and why each one matters.
1. Do you know how to market a solar home?
This is the most important question to ask. Selling a solar home isn’t like selling any other home. It’s not just a roof with panels—it’s a financial and lifestyle upgrade. A great agent knows the advantages of a home with solar already installed. They should be ready to highlight:
- Your lower utility bills
- The system’s warranty and longevity
- Net metering benefits
- Any transferable tax credits or remaining incentives
Not every buyer will understand solar. Your agent has to be ready to teach and sell.
2. Will you list the solar panel system details in the MLS?
If your agent skips this, it’s like forgetting to mention a newly remodeled kitchen. The solar system should have its own spotlight in your listing:
- Year installed
- Size (kilowatts)
- Ownership status (more on that next)
- Type of inverter
- Energy production stats
Bonus: ask your agent to include your most recent electric bill—or better yet, a year’s worth. It’s one of the fastest ways to turn a maybe into a yes.
3. Do I own the panels or are they leased? And how do we explain that to buyers?
You might already know the answer. But your realtor better understand how to present it.
- Owned panels? Big win. The value goes straight to the buyer. That’s a major selling point.
- Leased panels or a power purchase agreement (PPA)? Still valuable, but the buyer will likely need to assume the contract. That means extra paperwork—and extra explanation.
A strong realtor will handle that process confidently. The right one won’t make solar feel like a complication—they’ll make it feel like an opportunity.
4. Can you work solar into the appraiser’s conversation?
This one’s tricky—but critical. Home appraisals often don’t fully reflect solar’s value unless someone speaks up. You want an agent who advocates—not one who just hopes for the best. Your realtor should know how to:
- Provide system specs
- Show utility savings
- Pull comps with other solar homes in Tampa
5. Have you sold solar homes before?
The answer to this simple question will be very telling. If they have? Great, now ask how they positioned the panels to get top dollar. If they haven’t? That’s okay too—but they need to be willing to learn, and fast. Solar is a growing market in Florida. This might be your realtor’s chance to become the go-to solar-savvy agent in the Tampa area. Just make sure they’re up for it.
Shine Brighter at Closing and Beyond—We Can Help!
Selling a home with solar panels doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be smart. Ask the right questions. Hire the right realtor. And if you need system info, performance reports, or a quick cleanup before that open house? Solar Bear of Tampa has your back. Call us today at (727) 353-3886. Plus, when it’s time to move, we’ll be there to set up your new home with a brand-new system—customized for your next chapter. Same sun, new savings!