Solar panels on Rehabs or Flips (or other renewables)

[Jeremiah Leonard]

Curious if people have any experience adding solar power (or even house geothermal systems) to properties and what you did to justify the expenses. Generally I feel like it would raise interest and could justify higher rent rates depending on location. I'd be interested to hear any of your studies related to incorporating renewables into your real estate!

[Andrew Smith]

@Jeremiah Leonard,

If you own the solar through cash purchase or finance, it will add value to your home. This is according to NAR and other studies. If using zero down finance, you have no out of pocket and you can have your tenants pay the monthly for the solar system (with a caveat that if they use excess power from the utility they are liable for that).
In that scenario, you've added value to your home, your roof is an income producing asset instead of a liability and you are having that paid for by other people. Seems a good deal to me. I am in the industry for full disclosure.