I ran into the credit score thing when I put panels on my last house. The loan showed up as an installment account, but it was weird—some months it reported like a regular loan, other times it didn’t show at all. My score dipped a bit right after the install, probably from the hard inquiry and new account, but it bounced back within a few months. I’ve heard some solar companies use financing that doesn’t report to the bureaus unless you default, but mine definitely did.
One thing that caught me off guard: when I refinanced, the lender flagged the solar loan as a lien even though it wasn’t technically attached to the property. Took a bunch of back-and-forth to clear that up. If you’re thinking about solar, double-check how the financing is structured—some of those PACE loans can really mess with your title and credit in ways you wouldn’t expect.
And yeah, appraisals are all over the place. My appraiser basically ignored the panels, even though they were brand new and paid off. Go figure...
That’s wild about the solar loan showing up inconsistently—never realized reporting could be that spotty. When you mentioned the lender treating it like a lien, did they actually require you to pay it off before closing, or was it just a paperwork headache? I’ve heard some lenders in Texas get really picky about anything that even smells like a lien, especially with PACE stuff.
On the appraisal side, I’m always curious—did your appraiser give any reason for ignoring the panels? I’ve seen some folks get a bump in value, but others say it’s basically invisible unless you’re in a super green neighborhood. Wonder if it’s just luck of the draw with who you get, or if there’s some standard they’re supposed to follow.
Also, did you notice any difference in buyer interest when you sold, or did most people not care about the panels at all?
I actually wonder if the “solar panels add value” thing is a bit overhyped, at least in Dallas. When I was house hunting, I saw a couple places with panels and honestly, the price didn’t seem any higher than similar homes without them. Maybe buyers here just aren’t that into it yet? Also, I’ve heard some lenders treat ANY solar loan like a red flag, even if it’s not technically a lien. Makes me question if it’s worth the hassle unless you’re planning to stay put for a long time.
Makes me question if it’s worth the hassle unless you’re planning to stay put for a long time.
That’s pretty much my take too. In Dallas, I’ve noticed appraisers rarely bump up value just for solar. If there’s a loan attached, some buyers get spooked or lenders slow things down. Unless you’re in it for the long haul and want lower bills, it’s not a slam dunk investment here yet.
I hear you. We looked into solar last year and honestly, the numbers just didn’t add up for us either. The idea of a loan tied to the house made me nervous, especially if we needed to sell in a few years. I think it’s only worth it if you’re fully committed to staying put and don’t mind waiting a long time for payback.
