Solar panels increase house price by 4.1%
A Zillow study shows that installing solar panels can boost house prices by up to 4.1%. Discover how renewable energy adds market appeal to your Marbella property.
Solar panels can increase your Marbella property’s value by 4.1%, study suggests
Are you wondering if solar panels can increase your property’s resale value?
According to a new study, solar panels can boost a property’s market value by an average of 4.1%.
The research from U.S. portal Zillow analysed property sales between 2018 and 2019 to measure how much value solar panels add to a home.
Zillow researchers calculated the premium by comparing similar homes with and without solar-energy systems, controlling for factors such as size, location, property age, bedrooms, and more. They found that properties with solar PV systems sold for an average of 4.1% more, with the premium reaching up to 5.4% in some cases.
With the average house prices in Marbella at €5,206 in quarter 2 of 2024, and the average property size at 120m2, this means you could see a €25,613 increase following a solar panel installation.
The study suggests that buyers increasingly value the energy savings and environmental credentials of solar-powered homes.
But there are many factors at play.
Could you sell a solar panel installation for more than you purchased it?
If this study is true, then chances are a 4.1% increase in property would see a healthy return on your solar panel installation.
According to Marbella-based solar panel installer Marblanc Solar, the cost of a solar installation in Spain is roughly €1,061 per kilowatt installed.
This means that a 10kW installation could cost around €10,610 and then pay for itself two times over, if your property sells for the average price in the current market.
Marblanc Solar co-owner Roman Mitchell told Cloud Nine Spain that he’s seen a “notable number of homeowners” investing in solar specifically to raise the resale value, and “shorten the time” it takes to sell the property.
“While solar definitely increases the resale value, I imagine Zillow is analysing mid-market properties,” Roman added. “For higher value properties that we work with, they may see a 1-3% increase in the price – but for a property worth two million euros, a 1% increase is worth twenty thousand.”
Altogether, it makes a compelling financial case for upgrading your property with a solar energy system in Marbella.
Maximising your Marbella property value
In a market like Marbella, installing solar panels can be a strategic move to increase your property’s resale value.
Spain’s abundant sunshine means high energy production potential, making solar homes especially attractive to buyers seeking lower running costs and sustainability credentials.
But not all solar installations deliver the same return.
Factors such as the quality of the panels, inverter efficiency, and battery storage options can influence how much value is added. Buyers are increasingly savvy, so reputable brands, clean installation work, and a documented maintenance history can help your property stand out.
Homeowners may also have read recent stories like the fire at Miramar shopping centre, caused by overheating solar panels, or about this Costa del Sol property with a melted circuit breaker due to a low-cost solar installation.
It’s also worth considering the legal and technical aspects. Ensuring your system complies with local building codes and is correctly registered for Spain’s self-consumption incentives can make the sale process smoother.
To explore how a solar installation could boost your Marbella property’s value – and to get a free, expert-led valuation – contact us today.
Our team can assess your home’s potential and advise on the smartest upgrades to maximise your sale price in the current market.
