The point where a house is more likely to have solar panels fitted than not is rapidly drawing closer, and the questions asked of solar panel installers are likely to change over the next few years because of this.
Whilst there will always be new houses that need solar panels and more efficient technological developments will incentivise many people to replace their existing ones given the potential cuts to their electricity bills better solar panels will provide.
However, looking into buying a house with solar panels will bring with it additional questions and considerations that should be answered first.
Do They Come With The House?
Technically, solar panels count as fixtures and fittings when it comes to a house sale, which means that whilst they are likely to be a part of the sale, it is always worth checking, asking your solicitor and asking the seller to confirm.
If it comes with the house, you will need to fill out a change of ownership form with the energy supplier for the home, to ensure that if you provide any excess electricity to the National Grid you get the payments you are entitled to.
What Type Of Solar Panel System Is It?
Not every panel is the same, and there are some questions you should ask the estate agent or the seller during the visit regarding the specifics of the panels that are installed.
Until conveyancing you may not need the specific model or parts numbers, but it is important to know the size of the solar panel system, any existing information concerning the power it
generates, whether it has battery storage and if it is appropriately registered.
This will help you know where to start with more specific questions on how they work and if there are any concerns to watch out for.
What Is The Current Warranty Status?
Solar panels tend to come with two types of warranty; there is a five to ten-year product warranty and a longer 25-year performance warranty which will help keep you covered if certain parts need replacing.
As long as you know when the panels were installed and by who, you can generally estimate the warranty and the expected lifespan. Ask as well about routine maintenance and if there are any special considerations you need to know.
Are You Covered By Your Insurance?
Not all home insurance plans cover solar panels, and your plan does not, you should get additional coverage so you do not have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
As solar panels become more ubiquitous, more insurance plans are likely to cover solar panels as standard, but it is always important to check.
Does It Have Feed-In Tariff Or Smart Export Guarantee Contracts?
Ofgem has two schemes that pay solar panel owners for excess electricity, the now-defunct Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
The previous owner will need to inform Ofgem that they no longer own the panels but either contract will pay you for excess energy.
Should You Get Them Professionally Checked?
There will be surveys and paperwork provided whilst you move, but it is very important to get a solar panel expert to check the system, ensure it is installed properly and check to see if its capacity could potentially be expanded in the future.
