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Does Solar Increase Home Value in Arizona?
If you’re buying or selling a home in Marana, you’ve probably noticed solar panels popping up on rooftops all across town, from Gladden Farms to Dove Mountain and everywhere in between.
So, does solar increase home value in Arizona, or is it gaining popularity because of the energy savings? The answer is yes to both.
I’ve lived in the greater Tucson area since 2021, and as a real estate professional, I’ve seen firsthand how solar panels can affect a home’s marketability and final sale price.
Whether you’re thinking about adding panels before listing your home or you’re a buyer evaluating a property with an existing solar system, this guide covers what you need to know about solar and home value in Arizona.
How Much Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?
Multiple national studies have looked at how much solar increases home value, and the results are encouraging for Arizona homeowners.
A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that buyers are consistently willing to pay more for homes with owned solar panel systems averaging roughly $4 per watt of installed capacity.
For a typical 6 kW residential solar system, that translates to about $24,000 in added property value.
Recently, SolarReviews analyzed current Zillow data and found that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 6.9% more than comparable homes without them.
According to EnergySage, solar panels can boost a home’s value by up to 10%, depending on the system size and local market conditions. From a real estate perspective, that’s quite significant.
What This Means at the Local Level
Here in Marana, where the median home value sits around $430,000, even a modest percentage increase can mean tens of thousands of dollars in added equity. That’s a major return on investment for something that also saves you money on electricity every single month.
Why Solar Panels Add Value in the Arizona Market
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Lower Energy Bills Attract Buyers
In Marana, homes with solar panels can dramatically reduce or even eliminate monthly electric bills. With Tucson Electric Power (TEP) rates continuing to climb, energy savings are a major draw for buyers evaluating their long-term costs.
A solar-equipped home in Marana can save anywhere from $1,200 to $2,400 per year on electricity, depending on system size and energy usage.
Arizona Solar Incentives
Arizona makes going solar even more attractive through state incentives:
- Arizona Property Tax Exemption: Solar panels won’t increase your property tax assessment, even though they increase your home’s market value. This is a huge benefit that many homeowners don’t realize.
- Net Billing: TEP’s net billing program allows you to earn credits for excess energy your panels send back to the grid, which lowers your bills even further.
Solar Signals a Modern, Move-in-Ready Home
Today’s home buyers, especially in growing communities like Marana, are increasingly eco-conscious. A home with solar panels signals lower operating costs, a smaller carbon footprint, and a property that’s been updated with long-term value in mind.
On the MLS, solar-equipped listings tend to attract more interest and sell faster than comparable homes without panels.
Owned vs. Leased Solar Panels: It Makes a Difference
One of the biggest factors that affects how much value solar adds to your home is whether the system is owned or leased.
Owned Solar Systems
If you own your solar panels outright (or financed and paid them off), the system is a true asset that transfers with the home.
Buyers see owned systems as a clear benefit because there are no monthly lease payments and no third-party agreements to navigate and all the energy savings go straight to the new homeowner. This is where you’ll see the biggest bump in property value.
Leased Solar Systems
Leased panels can make a sale more complicated. The buyer typically needs to qualify for and agree to take over the lease, which adds a step to the transaction. Some buyers are hesitant about inheriting a lease, and appraisers may not assign full value to a leased system.
If you’re planning to sell and have a lease, check the transfer terms early so you can address any concerns upfront.
What Marana Sellers Should Know Before Listing
If you’re getting ready to sell a home with solar panels in Marana, I have a few tips to maximize your return:
- Get documentation ready. Have your solar installation details, warranty information, system specifications (kW size, panel brand, and inverter type), and energy production history organized for potential buyers. A folder showing 12 months of electric bills before and after solar tells a powerful story.
- Highlight your savings. Work with your agent to calculate total energy savings and include them in your listing description. Buyers respond to real numbers.
- Mention the tax benefits. Remind buyers about the Arizona property tax exemption and any remaining warranty coverage.
- Make sure panels are in good condition. Clean, well-maintained solar panels show buyers the system has been cared for. Regular solar panel maintenance protects both performance and resale value.
For homeowners in Marana who are considering adding solar before selling, it can be a smart move.
A quality solar installation from a reputable local company like Saguaro Solar Electric can pay for itself in added home value alone, and the ongoing energy savings are a big draw for potential buyers.
What Marana Buyers Should Look for in a Solar Home
Buying a home with existing solar panels can be a great deal, but you’ll want to do your homework:
- Ask whether the solar system is owned, financed, or leased. Owned systems are the cleanest scenario for a buyer.
- Most solar panels come with 25-year performance warranties. Ask when the system was installed, what brand the panels and inverter are, and how many years of warranty remain.
- A 6-8 kW system is typical for a Marana home. Make sure the system is sized appropriately for the home’s energy needs.
- Ask for solar monitoring reports or utility bills showing actual energy production. This tells you whether the system is performing as expected.
- A home with owned solar panels and strong energy production data may justify a higher purchase price, but that higher price often comes with lower monthly operating costs.
Solar Panel ROI for Marana Homeowners
Let’s put some real numbers together for a typical Marana home:
- Average solar installation cost in Arizona: $15,000–$25,000 (before incentives)
- Net solar panel cost after incentives: $10,500–$17,500
- Annual energy savings: $1,200–$2,400
- Payback period: 5–8 years
- Added home value: $15,000–$30,000+
When you look at those numbers, the return on investment speaks for itself. You’re essentially getting paid to lower your electric bill and increase your property value at the same time.
Remember that with Arizona’s property tax exemption, the added value doesn’t increase your annual tax burden. It’s one of the few home improvements where you truly come out ahead from every angle.
Making the Right Decision for Your Marana Home
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options, solar panels are one of the smartest investments you can make as a homeowner in Marana and the greater Tucson area.
The combination of Arizona’s abundant sunshine, strong solar incentives, rising electricity costs, and buyer demand for energy-efficient homes creates a perfect environment for solar to add real, measurable value to your property.
If you have questions about how solar might affect your home’s value or want to talk through your buying or selling strategy, I’m always happy to help.
As a certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert with eXp Realty – The Wilhems Group, I help Marana homeowners on a daily basis to make smart, informed decisions about their biggest investment. Give me a call or shoot me a message, and we chat about what’s best for you.
