Solar for possible future tenants??

[Nathan Stanley]

If we put solar on our current primary home, will it help with value? Will it really matter if we rent it out in a few months? Our bill during the winter, is lower than $200. But in the summer it is $400+, but does it really matter if we aren't the ones paying? Smart or foolish?

[Nathan Gesner]

If you finance the solar, it can actually be difficult to sell the home because the buyer may not want to take over the payment plan. 

According to a few articles I've read, you can expect to get your money back when you sell. So installing a $25,000 solar system will increase your sales price by about the same amount. There are many variables to consider, such as size of the solar system, location of the home, etc. For example, the latest study I read said a solar system in New York will increase sales price around 5% while Riverside, CA only increased 2.5%.

Whatever you do, don't listen to "studies" performed by solar companies. They'll tickle your ears with all kinds of BS to make a sale, just like Joshua is doing in this thread. Find your own resources, study your local market, talk to actual solar owners.