The green-energy addition of solar panels on homes is now proving to add value to people’s homes. Buyers are willing to pay a premium — an average of 4.1 percent more nationally — for homes equipped with solar panels.
According to a recent study from Zillow, Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation for solar panels increasing the value of a house at the point of sale. The average value increase in Pennsylvania is slightly higher than the national average at 4.9 percent, or $8,589. This despite Pittsburgh being one of the cloudiest cities in the U.S.
Only New Jersey is better at increasing home values with solar. The Garden State's home values increase on average by 9.9 percent because of solar panels.
On top of the good news for home-sellers with solar, Pennsylvania also offers a series of financial incentives for increasing energy efficiency, but nothing specific to the installation of solar panels. However, Pennsylvanians are eligible for a federal tax rebate of up to 30 percent for families who install solar panels.Pennsylvania homes with solar sell for 4.9% more! https://t.co/fODUmTvIS4
— 𝙍𝙤𝙗 𝘼𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙜 (@RobAltenburg) October 13, 2019
Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future — started in 2017 — is a statewide planning project meant to help Pennsylvania reach its goal of 10% of in-state electricity sales generated by in-state solar energy.
Last year, Gov. Tom Wolf (D-York) approved 78 projects in addition to these incentives to promote solar energy in Pennsylvania last year. Solar jobs have also been on the rise in Pennsylvania, despite a national decline. Employment in solar energy related jobs increased by 10 percent in 2018, and 26 percent in 2017.
