Does solar add value to a Perth property?

Perth buyers in 2026 are paying close attention to solar and battery systems when comparing properties. Electricity costs have risen significantly over the past decade, and a well-documented solar system is increasingly treated as a genuine asset rather than a cosmetic feature.

What the evidence shows

There's no Perth-specific longitudinal study on solar premiums equivalent to the US Department of Energy's work (which found solar adds approximately USD $15,000 to median home values in the US context). Australian studies have found:

• Origin Energy/UNSW research (2022): Properties with solar in Australia sold for 2–5% more on average than comparable properties without solar, with stronger premiums in higher-electricity-cost markets.
• CSIRO analysis: Solar adds approximately $6,000–$15,000 in median value per 1kW of installed capacity in Australian eastern states studies — but Perth-specific data was limited.
• REIWA anecdotal evidence: Perth agents consistently report that buyers ask about solar, and properties with solar + battery attract more offers than those without, particularly in the $700k–$1.2m segment.

The honest answer: solar's value contribution is real but variable. A newer, well-maintained, documented system adds measurable value. An old, poorly maintained system with an ageing inverter may actually raise concerns for buyers.

Factors that determine solar's value contribution

System age and condition: A 2–3 year-old 10kW system with a modern hybrid inverter and monitoring data is a compelling asset. A 13-year-old 1.5kW system with a failed monitoring system is a liability more than an asset — buyers may factor in replacement costs.

System size relative to the home: A 6.6kW system on a large 5-bedroom home with ducted AC provides partial offset. The same 6.6kW on a modest 3-bedroom home with efficient appliances may deliver near-zero bills. The latter is more valuable to buyers.

Battery inclusion: Perth buyers who are aware of evening electricity costs and grid dependency increasingly value batteries alongside solar. A 10kW solar + 10kWh battery system has stronger market positioning than solar alone in the current environment.

DEBS registration and ongoing export income: A system generating $400–$600/year in DEBS export credits is a quantifiable, ongoing income stream. Presenting this figure with 12 months of Synergy bill history makes the value concrete.

Quality of documentation provided: See the section below on presenting your system at sale time.

What buyers are actually asking about

From Perth real estate agent and buyer's agent feedback, the questions buyers ask most frequently about solar:

1. How old is the system? (age = remaining useful life)
2. What are the current electricity bills? (the bottom line they actually care about)
3. Is the system on DEBS? (ongoing export income)
4. Is there a battery? (evening grid independence)
5. Who installed it and is there any warranty remaining? (installation quality signal)

The question buyers rarely ask (but should): "What inverter brand is it?" Most buyers aren't familiar with inverter brands, so a premium inverter brand doesn't command a premium from uninformed buyers.

Presenting your solar system at sale time

Compile a solar information package:

• System specifications (panel brand/model/quantity, inverter brand/model, system kW total)
• Installation date and CEC-accredited installer name
• Any remaining product or workmanship warranty (request written confirmation from installer)
• 12 months of Synergy bills showing actual savings and DEBS credits
• Monitoring app screenshots showing annual generation data
• Western Power NCN approval documentation
• Battery system information (if applicable)

Annual savings figure: Calculate the net electricity cost saving (bills before solar vs bills after solar, including export credits). This is the number that resonates with buyers. A Perth household saving $1,800–$2,400/year in electricity costs has a roughly 20-year payback calculation built in — buyers can do the maths.

Don't overstate: Buyers and their conveyancers are increasingly sophisticated. Claiming "your bills will be zero" or overstating the system's generation is a risk — both legally (misrepresentation) and practically (a buyer who discovers the claims were inflated becomes a post-settlement complaint).

When solar might not add value (or could reduce it)

System installed by a no-longer-trading installer: If the original installer is no longer in business, the workmanship warranty is effectively worthless. Buyers may factor in the risk of unresolved installation defects.

Non-compliant installation: If the system was installed without a proper NCN or by a non-CEC-accredited installer, Western Power may require rectification at the homeowner's expense. A Perth conveyancer who flags a solar system with no NCN documentation will raise this as a risk.

Very small legacy systems: A 1.5kW system installed in 2010 generates modest savings and has an ageing inverter. Some buyers may price the asset at near zero (or negative, if it appears to need replacement).

Battery that's at end of warranty: Most residential batteries have 10-year warranties. A battery in year 9 with the original warranty nearly expired has limited remaining warranty value — buyers should be aware.

Buying a property with existing solar

If you're buying a Perth property with an existing solar system:

• Ask for the documentation package described above
• Verify the CEC installer accreditation number via the CEC register
• Check that the system is registered on DEBS via Synergy (ask seller for a recent bill showing DEBS credits)
• Confirm the NCN approval exists (request from seller or ask Western Power)
• Request monitoring data for the past 12 months — compare actual generation against what the system should theoretically produce at that size and orientation

A property where the vendor can't produce basic documentation should trigger a request for a solar system inspection ($300–$500 from a Perth solar PV inspector) before settlement.

Solar adds real value to Perth properties when the system is newer, well-sized for the home, documented, and on DEBS. The most effective way to convert that value into sale price is thorough documentation and a clear 12-month electricity bill showing the actual savings. Buyers who understand electricity costs will recognise the value; buyers who don't will be convinced by the bill.