Do Solar Panels Add Value to a Perth Home?

Thinking of selling in the next few years? Or buying a place that already has panels on the roof? Either way, you want to know if solar is worth anything when the house changes hands.

The short answer is yes. Perth homes with solar are valued about 2.1% higher than similar homes without it. That’s roughly $14,900, according to property data firm Cotality. But not every system adds the same value. Age, size and paperwork all make a difference.

What the research says about solar and home value

Two studies are worth knowing about. One looks at Australia as a whole. The other looks only at Perth.

Study	Where	What it found
Cotality, Watt’s it Worth (Sept 2025)	Perth	Homes with solar valued 2.1% higher, about $14,939
Cotality, Watt’s it Worth (Sept 2025)	Australia	Homes with solar valued 2.7% higher, about $23,100
University of Western Australia (2016)	125 Perth suburbs, sales 2009–2012	Homes with solar sold for 2.3% to 3.2% more
Cotality, Watt’s it Worth (Sept 2025)	Australia	Each extra energy star rating linked to 1.3% more value

A few things to keep in mind. Cotality’s figures come from its valuation model, not actual sale prices, and they don’t include batteries. The UWA study used real Perth sales, but from more than a decade ago. Both point the same way, though. In Perth, solar tends to lift a home’s value by a few per cent.

The UWA researchers also found something useful for owners. In their data, homeowners fully recovered the cost of their solar system when they sold.

Why Perth buyers value solar

Solar is now normal in Perth. Cotality says more than 40% of homes in Perth have it. So many buyers expect it, and some will mark a house down if it’s missing.

There are good reasons for that:

Lower power bills from day one. Perth gets plenty of sun all year, so a working system starts saving straight away.
Rising prices. Perth’s median house price is close to $1 million, according to REIWA. When the price is that high, buyers pay close attention to running costs.
Less to do. A buyer who gets solar with the house doesn’t have to organise quotes, installers or approvals.

What affects how much value solar adds

Not every system is a selling point. Here’s what buyers, agents and valuers tend to look at.

Factor	Adds value	Can reduce value
Age	Installed in the last 10 years	15 or more years old
Size	Matches the household’s daytime power use	Too small for the household
Condition	Clean panels, no faults, inverter working	Error lights, cracked glass, dead inverter
Paperwork	Warranties, compliance certificate, install details	No records of who installed it
Brand and support	Known brands with local support	Brands that have left Australia

If your system is old or small, it may still help a little. But a buyer might see it as something they’ll need to replace. Our guide on how long solar panels last in Perth explains what to expect from an older system.

Selling soon? How to get the most from your solar

A little effort before you list can help buyers see solar as a bonus, not a question mark.

Get it checked. A solar service and health check finds faults before a buyer’s inspector does.
Clean the panels. Dust and bird droppings build up fast in Perth’s dry months. See how often to clean solar panels in Perth.
Gather the paperwork. Find your warranties, compliance certificate and system details. Our solar handover checklist lists what to keep.
Show the savings. Have a few recent power bills ready. Real numbers are easier to trust than claims.
Tell your agent. Ask them to list the system size, age and brand in the ad.

Should you add solar just before you sell?

It depends on how long you’ll stay. If you’re selling in the next few months, you’ll get little of the bill savings yourself. You may or may not get the full cost back in the sale price.

If you’ll stay a few years, the maths looks better. You save on power while you live there, and the home may be worth more when you sell. Our guides to solar panel costs in Perth and solar payback periods can help you run the numbers.

Own a rental? Solar works a little differently for landlords. See our rental property solar guide.

Buying a home with solar? What to check

Solar is a plus, but only if it works. Before you buy, ask:

How old is the system, and what size is it?
Is the inverter working, with no error lights?
Are there warranty papers and a compliance certificate?
Can you see recent power bills?

If you’re unsure, a solar check after you move in will tell you where things stand.

Frequently asked questions

How much value does solar add to a Perth home?

Cotality’s research puts it at about 2.1% for Perth, or roughly $14,939. A University of Western Australia study of Perth sales found a premium of 2.3% to 3.2%.

Do solar batteries add value too?

There isn’t good data yet. Cotality’s report didn’t include batteries. A battery may appeal to buyers, but no study has put a number on it for Perth.

Does an old solar system still add value?

Sometimes, but less. Buyers may see a system over 10 to 15 years old as something they’ll need to replace soon.

Will a valuer include solar in a bank valuation?

Valuers look at many features, and solar can be one of them. How much it counts varies. Ask your valuer or agent how they treat it.

Thinking about solar for your Perth home?

Whether you’re planning to sell or stay, a well-sized system in good condition is worth having. Middle Swan Solar installs and services solar across Perth, north and south of the river. We’ll give you straight advice on what makes sense for your home.