Complete Solar System Kits
Unbound Solar offers complete solar panel kits that include everything you need for a solar system. Browse complete solar systems and backup power kits for homes, businesses, boats and RVs, remote industrial, and more.
Grid-Tied
Grid-tied solar systems generate electricity for your home or business and route the excess power into the electric grid for compensation from the utility company. Browse a wide range of complete grid-tied solar panel kits including the best brands.
Grid-Tied
Wondering how much will your grid-tied solar system cost? Find out with our grid-tied solar calculator.
Grid-Tied Battery Backup
Grid-tied solar systems with batteries can power some essential appliances during an outage. Our grid-tied solar panel kits with battery backup included are ideal for maintaining critical appliances in areas with unreliable power.
Backup Power
Off-Grid
Robust solar panel kits for remote homes and cabins. Off-Grid solar systems are ideal for remote areas, undeveloped land, and anyone without access to utility power.
Off-Grid
You want to go off-grid, but how many panels and batteries will you need? Find out with our off-grid calculator.
RV Marine
Unbound Solar’s newly redesigned RV solar panel kits make adding a solar system to your RV easier and more affordable than ever, with a variety of options available for all vehicle sizes and energy needs.
Remote Industrial
Explore our Remote Industrial solar panel kits. a hassle-free solution for powering equipment remotely. Commonly used for lighting, security cameras, telemetry, environmental monitoring, and more.
Ready to get started?
Grid-Tied or Off-Grid?
Which solar system type is best for you? Find the answer in our handy guide for choosing your solar panel kit.
Custom Systems
The home and industrial solar systems above usually work for most folks’ needs, but we wouldn’t be the DIY Solar Experts if we didn’t specialize in custom system design. Whatever your application, our techs are here to talk to you about it and design the perfect solar panel kit.
Gary W. had no power lines nearby. The electric company told him it would cost 10,000 a pole. He chose to purchase our medium-sized system, The Homestead, one of the most popular we sell. For an investment of under 20 Grand, he now lives where he wants, he is not tethered to the power company, and he does not have to worry about blackouts or disconnection notices for late payments.
Cyril Richardson and his family witnessed two Category 5 hurricanes in the course of two weeks. They weathered it safely, but like thousands of other Virgin Island residents, they found themselves without power and with no real hope of having it restored for months. With the help of our solar experts, Cyril settled on our popular off-grid solar panel kit, The Ranch.
The price breakdown really surprised Tom D. He was enjoying a nice solar systems installation presentation at a kiosk at Costco when the numbers came out. Two-thirds of the overall cost was installation. Tom got online and found Unbound Solar. He didn’t have much construction experience and had no electrical experience. But after conversations with our solar experts, he felt confident to take on the project.
Rocky considers himself an extreme DIYer. He’s never worked in construction, but he built his house, garage, and workshop. He didn’t know anything about solar systems or DC wiring/properties, but the huge cost savings inspired him to take on the challenge and learn what he needed to know. Our solar experts helped bridge the gaps in his knowledge and supported him through a successful solar panel kit install.
Complete Solar Panel Kits
Unbound Solar stocks and delivers a complete solar power system for homes, businesses, boats and RVs, remote industrial and unique applications to utilize solar energy. We also customize systems to fit your exact energy needs.
Each solar panel system contains everything you need, from connectors to mounting hardware and all the essentials, and you can order a solar battery bank for backup power generated from the solar panel kit.
You can install your solar power system as a DIY solar project or opt to hire a contractor.
When you purchase a complete solar system from Unbound Solar, you get tailored solutions and lifelong support. We’ll help you calculate how many solar panels you need, determine the cost of your solar system and guide you when you’re ready to install the solar panels.
Read our step-by-step guide to learn more about going solar, or reach out to us directly with questions.
A Safe and Secure Solar Panel System
A solar power system ensures you are equipped in the event of an outage from a natural disaster, whether you choose to ground mount or install your solar panel kits on the roof of your home. Regardless of the choice you make, you will no longer rely on the city or town grid solar system and reduce or totally eliminate your monthly electric bill.
Even better, order a grid-tied solar panel system to sell some of that energy back to the energy company. Each home and its necessities are different, so it is important to evaluate all the options and determine what works best for you. Although it can initially seem confusing, use our guide on how to size a solar system before you order your solar panel kit.
Every project is unique so we’re here to help you determine the right kit for you. Our knowledgeable team of techs will answer your questions and make sure you select the appropriate kit for your project. Or browse our resources, videos, and guides to help decide which solar system kit best suits your needs.
Each kit contains all the major components you need to install a complete solar power system. Choose from a variety of solar power kits to accommodate your installation needs. Our grid-tied kits include solar panels, inverters and a racking system. The off-grid solar power kits include batteries, solar panels, a power center and your racking system. Complete kits are also available for grid-tied systems with a battery backup, RV and marine off-grid systems and remote industrial solar panel systems. Customize any kit with additional items that align with your project needs.
Our designers are experts at building flexible systems that can grow right along with your energy needs. Solar panel kits make the perfect starting point for a project that may need more energy down the line. We customize each kit for your needs, so that your system is expandable to account for increases in energy consumption.
Do Solar Panels Increase Your Home’s Value?
Samantha covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She previously edited home repair and design content at The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.
We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Table of Contents
Solar panels are a fantastic source of renewable energy, as well as a great way to save a chunk of change on your monthly electrical bills. Upfront, however, they are an investment, and if you’re thinking about purchasing a solar panel, you may be wondering if they’re worth the thousands—if not tens of thousands—of dollars they often cost.
Solar panels might increase your home’s value in the long run, though. Here’s how.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
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Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?
In most cases, yes. If a home has solar panels, it means its owners will be saving money in the long run, increasing the home’s appeal and value.
How Does Solar Increase Home Value?
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, every dollar that a solar panel saves you on your electrical bills increases the value of your home by 20. And according to Zillow, homes with solar panels sell for four percent higher than those without them.
Currently, the demand for solar panels is higher than it ever has been, with home-buyers becoming increasingly environmentally conscious while wanting to save money. It is this demand that often increases the value of homes featuring solar panels. Whether and by how much your home’s value will increase, though, will depend on where you live and the quality of your solar panel.
Can Adding Solar Ever Decrease Home Value?
No, but it could have no effect, depending on where you live.
Factors Influencing Solar’s Added Value
Solar panels are increasingly seen as a valuable addition to any home. There are many reasons why solar panels can be an excellent financial investment, including the fact that they can help you save money while increasing your property’s value in the long run.
Location
It is no secret that the location of your home can significantly impact your property’s value. Therefore, the value of homes with solar panels certainly increases depending on their location – especially in areas with abundant sunlight and high electricity rates. Plus, if your home is in a region or neighborhood that emphasizes environmental sustainability, homes with solar panels can enhance a home’s perceived value. Not to mention, depending on your location, government incentives and supportive policies also play crucial roles in increasing the desirability of solar-equipped homes.
The states where solar panels are most in demand are California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico and Oregon. The cities where solar panels are most in demand are Los Angeles, San Diego, Honolulu, Phoenix, San Jose, San Antonio and New York. If you live in one of these areas, there is a good chance that solar panels will increase your home’s value.
Solar Panel Ownership
When purchased outright, solar panels can be easily transferred from the home’s seller to the buyer. However, if you’re leasing your solar panels, you’ll need to work with the solar company to establish who will take ownership of the panels. Typically, the buyer can take over the solar system by buying the lease out or transferring it. However, when selling or buying a home, it’s essential to keep track of who has ownership rights over them to avoid confusion and potential legal issues later on.
Solar System Condition
While they may not be top of mind when you think about the value of a house, solar panels can significantly impact property value. Therefore, ensuring they are in a well-working condition is essential. The solar system’s condition is important since it directly affects its efficiency, functionality and lifespan.
Well-maintained and properly functioning solar panels are more likely to attract potential buyers and contribute positively to the property’s overall worth. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and inspection, helps to ensure the panel’s performance and longevity. Damaged or outdated panels can decrease efficiency, reducing energy production and increasing potential repair costs. Therefore, keeping solar panels in good condition maximizes their energy-generating potential, ultimately increasing the property’s value.
Do Bigger Installations Increase Home Value?
There’s no proven correlation between the size of a solar panel and its increase of a property’s value. wattage won’t result in more money, so when choosing a solar panel or solar system for your home, just choose one that will generate the right amount of energy for your household.
Best Solar Companies By States And Cities
HOAs and solar panels
Solar energy is becoming a hot commodity. In the last decade, solar has experienced an average annual growth rate of 33%. It was once very expensive to purchase solar panels, but costs have declined and incentives are on the rise. As a result, there has been an increase in demand from homeowners for solar panels.
Solar panels do create concerns for HOAs
While solar panels provide a cleaner source of energy and long-term savings to homeowners, they do create some concerns for HOA communities. Governed associations are required to protect and uphold property values and act in the best interests of the community as a whole. They achieve these goals by creating and enforcing standards that address several itemslike home improvements, renovations and additions. This helps ensure that all homes have a similar value and aesthetic.
Solar panels change the look and character of a home, disrupting the uniformity of the neighborhood. In order to help HOAs navigate through this issue, some states have created solar energy laws that attempt to balance a homeowner’s right to use solar energy and an association’s right to manage the aesthetics of the neighborhood.
Solar access rights
California, Utah, Texas, Arizona and Florida have all enacted solar access rights laws. These laws prohibit HOAs from banning owners from installing solar panels on their homes. However, the laws do allow associations to impose reasonable restrictions when it comes to the installation process, placement and design of solar panels.
The association also has the right to require homeowners to request permission from the architectural committee or board before installing solar panels. The body responsible for approving architectural change requests will then process the request using a structured approval procedure.
Solar access rights vary by state, so owners should check state law before they start shopping around for panels.
Solar easements
In states that provide for solar easements, individual owners can negotiate with the people in their HOAs to protect their right to sunshine. They are designed to make sure that a homeowner’s solar panels receive sufficient sunlight. As an example, a neighbor would have to trim their trees down to a certain height so that the leaves won’t prevent light from reaching solar panels on someone’s roof.
Owners wanting to negotiate this type of easement should know that this is a voluntary process, meaning that neighbors do not necessarily have to agree to a solar easement. If a solar easement is drafted, be sure to include a detailed description of the size and height of the easement.
Exceptions to the rules
There are instances where HOAs could deny owners from installing solar panels on their homes, even if solar access rights statutes exist. Historic districts often have the right to restrict solar panel installation in order to protect the historical character of a neighborhood. In other cases, historic districts might ask that solar panels installed on rooftops be hidden from public view, and that any equipment installed be the same color as the roof.
What if there are no state rules for solar panels?
While more states are creating rules to try and encourage the installation and usage of solar panels, not all of them have rules for panel installation. If there aren’t any existing rules, an HOA could rightfully prohibit owners from installing solar panels on their homes.
Aside from aesthetic concerns, solar panel restrictions may be based on concerns about outdated technology. The newer solar systems are light, easy for professionals to install and don’t cause damage to properties (provided they are installed correctly).
In the future, there may be federal rules governing panel installation since the technology has improved so much. In 2009, The American Clean Energy and Security Act was brought forth. This federal law would have made it illegal for a homeowners association to restrict the installation of solar panels. While the act did not pass, similar legislation may come into play again in the next 10 years or so.
HOAs are encouraged to include solar panel rules in governing documents
Some HOAs don’t explicitly mention solar in their bylaws, and this lack of information can lead to disappointment for new members. If solar panels are not allowed, make that clear in the governing documents. This will give prospective buyers who are interested in solar energy the information they need to make the right decision for them.
Removing solar panels
Associations that do allow owners to install solar panels must consider how roof maintenance costs are to be delegated, and what happens if an owner moves out. If owners are already responsible for paying for their own roof maintenance, then there is little question about who must pay for any costs associated with the solar panels. This can become more complicated if the HOA is responsible for maintaining the roof, however.
Solar panels can last for 25 years, and, because they have such a long lifespan, they may need to be removed and reinstalled in order to perform roof maintenance. It is possible to remove and reinstall panels, but depending on how many panels there are, that job could cost a few thousand dollars.
It’s also possible to remove panels entirely, full removal without the intention of reinstalling is a more costly project though. That’s because all of the conduit, electrical wiring and roof penetrations must be sealed and undone as if the system never existed. The owner should also be aware that if they don’t yet own the solar system, or are still in the process of paying it off, they may have to pay an additional removal fee. The HOA must make it clear that it is the current owner’s responsibility to remove the system and repair the roof if a new buyer doesn’t want the panels on the home.
Although solar panel installers usually drill holes into the roof to secure the hardware, there are alternative options. One popular option is to install solar roof tiles or solar shingles. This technology integrates the electricity-generating capacity of photovoltaics (PV) right into an owner’s roof shingles and eliminates the need for mounting traditional panels. This solar energy option has many aesthetic benefits, but also costs more and is less efficient than traditional panels.
On the off chance that the HOA has flat roofs, an installation company could use a ballast mounting system. With this type of system, the mounts are weighted down well enough and holes don’t need to be made in the roof. Finally, ground mount solar systems exist, but they require more space, more money and specific soil requirements. Due to HOA rules and architectural guidelines, it’s unlikely that owners would be permitted to install ground mounts.
Conclusion
Solar panels appeal to owners for several reasons. Not only do they help reduce carbon emissions, but they can provide long-term savings as well. Many states are recognizing the benefits of solar energy, which is why they have created rules to promote panel installation.
Understandably, HOAs may have some concerns about solar panels. Owners and boards are encouraged to work together if an owner comes to a board asking for permission to install solar panels. Associations should be very clear about the application process and what is and is not permitted. Similarly, owners should closely follow rules and requirements while being considerate of their fellow neighbors.
Solar for Condo Owners
Solar for condominium unit owners is gaining steady popularity throughout the country, as more and more states are writing legislation to promote clean energy accessibility. If you own a condo unit and want to go solar, there’s two main things you should have in order to make this a reality:
To install solar on the rooftop of your condominium, you need to be sure you own the section of the roof you wish to install solar on. Without ownership of the roof you have no right to install a system and the project cannot begin, which is why understanding who owns the roof is the first step.
Who Owns My Roof ?
Condominiums will have documentation on who is responsible for the different aspects of maintaining the property and community. These are called Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCR’s). When researching if solar is a viable option, be sure to check your CCR documentation first.
If there are not clear cut rules or restrictions on who owns the roof or who is responsible, the next step would be to speak to the HOA or the building management. When doing so, make sure to see documentation to back up the response from the management group. If the roof is a shared space, then speaking with your neighbors and coming to a conclusion on how to equitably use the space is pertinent.
Solar Condo Legislation
Two dozen states have created legislation known as “Solar Access Rights” to ensure accessibility for sourcing clean energy. This legislation overrides HOA’s restricting condo owner’s from installing solar.
If you live in one of the states listed below, then the HOA cannot restrict solar installation. However, you must still own the roof in which you intend to put solar on.
| Arizona | Louisiana | Oregon |
| California | Maine | Texas |
| Colorado | Maryland | Utah |
| Delaware | Massachusetts | Vermont |
| Florida | Nevada | Virginia |
| Hawaii | New Jersey | Washington |
| Illinois | New Mexico | West Virginia |
| Indiana | North Carolina | Wisconsin |
| Iowa |
Installing Solar on a Condo Roof
Once you have determined that you are allowed to install solar, you may still need approval from your HOA. Although they cannot ban installation, they still can restrict the placement and design. You must clear your final design with management to ensure the continuation of the installation process.
When you have restrictions and limited roof space, the total production of a solar system may not meet all the home’s energy needs. This should not deter you from installing solar since you are still offsetting some of your energy consumption and sourcing clean energy. As a reminder, even if your solar system covers your electrical usage during the day, you still pull from the grid in the evening (unless you have a battery backup system).
If you would like a design created and installer options with competitive pricing you can sign up through our platform to begin a free process to see how solar can benefit your home.
California HOA Rules for Solar: New Law Makes Going Solar Easier
If you live in a condo, you may think that solar is beyond your reach thanks to homeowners association (HOA) regulations. After all, they didnt.
