FAQ
Q: Are solar panels allowed by most HOAs?
A: In Texas, ALL HOAs must allow the installation of solar panels. It’s the law. The State of Texas passed HB-362 in 2011, prohibiting HOAs from restricting solar panels. There ARE some steps the homeowner must follow, but they ARE allowed to install solar panels in any HOA. Cities are advised to review HB-362 before considering restricting solar panels. For more information on solar rights and regulations, click here. For more information on how a municipality can engage HOAs in solar discussions, click here.
Q: Do you have to wash solar panels? If so how often, and isn't that dangerous for homeowners? If the owner doesn't wash them, how much do they have to pay to have someone do it?
A: Unless the panels are exceptionally dirty, no washing is needed. If a thick layer of dust or other material exists on the panels, a hose-end sprayer from the ground will work. Homeowners should not get on the roof to clean the panels.
Q: Does homeowners' insurance cover solar panels?
A: Often, yes. However, some companies will not. The homeowner will need to ask their insurance company. If the insurance company you are with does not cover solar panels and you want to add them to your home, shop around for a different insurance company.
Q: Does the inverter have to be replaced before the panels themselves wear out? How much does a new inverter cost?
A: No. There is a long-standing rumor in the solar industry that inverters “wear out” in 10 years and must be replaced. As long as the inverter is installed out of the sun, inverters today are designed for a 20+ year life. The price of a new inverter is not easily provided. There are dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of different models and variations of options to answer that question.
Q: How do I get more information?
A: You can sign up for our email list to receive updates on Solar PV events, trainings, legislative items, and more.
Q: How much value will the system have at the time of sale?
A: The value must be determined by an Appraiser of appropriate certifications and experience.
Q: If seller's insurance will cover cost of re-roofing, does it also cover any extra cost of removing and reinstalling the panels?
A: A telephone survey of several insurance companies indicated in all cases the answer is “yes”. It is defined as work that must be done in conjunction with the repair. Verify this with your insurance company BEFORE a hail event.
Q: If the property sells while we still have an active loan, can it be wrapped into the sale by the buyer?
A: Yes, in most cases it can. It is considered tangible property, along with the structure.
Q: If we have a security interest in the solar energy equipment, can it be insured against hail or other damage?
A: Yes, the same as the structure or any other asset you may secure under a loan.
Q: Is there an added cost to re-roof because of panels?
A: Yes, there is time and labor to remove and re-install the solar panels. Contact the installing company for assistance. This task should not be done by roofers.
Q: Is there any other needed routine maintenance of panels, attachments, or the inverter that homeowners might find onerous, or at least should be aware of, before they buy a house with solar on it?
A: No. Short of an occasional washing, residential solar electric systems require no maintenance.
Q: Is there software we can use to make an approximate value determination for ourselves?
A: Yes, but it will require some technical knowledge to answer some of the questions. The program “PV VALUE” was developed by the US Department of Energy and vetted though Sandia National Laboratory with the help of countless Appraisers, Real Estate Brokers and Agents, and others. It may be accessed here.
Q: We’ve been approached to finance a “Community Solar” project. What is “Community Solar”?
A: Community solar consists of a central installation that provides customers with an opportunity to opt into the solar installation and receive a proportional share of financial or energy output of the system, thereby allowing customers to realize the environmental and economic benefits of solar energy without requiring a solar installation of their own. For more information, visit our Community Solar page!
Q: What effect do solar panels have on value on the house on which they are mounted? If so, how much value, and how is the value estimated?
A: More than 25 years of studies and research have proven homes with solar panels generally sell from 4% to 50% faster and for a premium of $2 to $4 per installed watt than non-solar homes. The value of the solar panels are based in part on their original price and the amount of energy produced annually. This has a net effect of reducing the electrical utility bill year-round, which in turn adds value to a home - same as if the improvements were in energy efficiency aspects. In rare instances, the solar panels were a “neutral,” not aiding nor hindering the sale. In none of the thousands of sales were owned solar panels a negative. The same cannot be said of leased solar panels. In those cases, leased or third-party-owned systems on a residence where the homeowner has a contract (often long-term), buyers were wary and often walked away.
Q: What happens if the solar panels are damaged by hail?
A: If it is an system owned by the homeowner and properly insured, contact the insurance company. If it is a leased or third-party-owned system, contact the company; they are responsible for repair.
Q: What lifespan can I expect out of my solar panels?
A: Almost all panels are guaranteed to last between 25 and 30 years; and some are able to produce electricity for much longer! Properly installed solar panels should require little maintenance, making for an excellent return on investment. Inverters (converting DC current to AC current) are now estimated to last 20 years or longer. Even then, they typically do not just quit; they gradually become less efficient.