Home Buyers Pay More for Rooftop Solar Homes
Home buyers are increasingly willing to invest an additional £23,000 for properties equipped with solar panels, indicating a growing appreciation for energy-saving features. Nationally, homes with solar systems see an average increase of 2.7 per cent in property value, with Hobart and Brisbane leading the way among capital cities.
In Brisbane, the average premium for a solar-equipped home is £30,219 compared to similar properties without solar, according to data from Cotality, previously known as Corelogic. Australia stands out globally for its adoption of rooftop solar, with approximately one in three homes utilising this electricity generation technology.
Solar Panels and Their Financial Benefits
Solar panels not only reduce electricity bills over time but also play a crucial role in the shift towards a low-emission, renewable energy system. In the first half of 2025, rooftop solar accounted for 12.8 per cent of the country’s electricity generation.
Tom Coad from Cotality anticipates that the assurance of increased property value will motivate more homeowners to install solar systems. For owner-occupiers concerned about not staying in their homes long enough to recoup the initial investment through lower bills, the knowledge that their property will command a premium can be reassuring.
Incentives for Property Investors
For property investors, the added value of a solar-equipped home upon sale compensates for the lack of direct bill savings that tenants enjoy. “This report illustrates that it’s a win-win situation,” Mr Coad explained to AAP. “If you remain in the property, you benefit from the savings. If you decide to sell in the future, you also gain from the increased value.”
As electricity prices rise, households are becoming more aware of the advantages of lower bills, leading to a greater appreciation for such features in homes. Cotality’s analysis also highlighted the value associated with energy efficiency ratings, revealing a more modest average national uplift of 1.3 per cent, or £10,560, for each additional star rating.
Future Trends in Energy Performance
Mr Coad predicts that energy performance will increasingly influence property prices, especially as more states and territories adopt measures similar to the ACT, which mandates the disclosure of energy ratings during property sales or leases. Meanwhile, the uptake of battery systems is on the rise as households and businesses leverage federal and state incentive programmes, although these were not included in Cotality’s analysis.
