S
ome buyers fear that leased solar panels could lower a home’s value, but a seller on r/RealEstateAdvice showed otherwise. The couple had found a North Bay house with leased panels and a skeptical agent. After selling their own home, they realized the benefits: the new owner inherits the 2014‑negotiated rates, which stay cheaper than city utilities even as interest rises. Monthly payments are roughly half a PG&E bill for a smaller home, and the company covers all maintenance and removal at lease end.

    Solar panels cut grid usage, often driving bills to zero when excess power is fed back for credit. They also reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse emissions. While a rooftop system can be pricey, Palmetto’s LightReach leasing program offers no‑down options and custom sizing. If leasing isn’t right, EnergySage provides free comparison tools, and Palmetto offers a pros‑and‑cons calculator to decide between buying and leasing.

    In the comments, the seller noted that the 2014 system offset the house’s power needs, yielding immediate savings versus PG&E. A friend’s 900‑sq‑ft home without solar still pays twice as much for electricity. The selling agent understood the savings; the lease transfer was straightforward, and the new buyers saw the Tesla invoices and recognized the benefit.

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