Buying a property with solar panels: essential considerations for homebuyers

The Government has made it very clear that it intends to bring the country to Net Zero (carbon emissions) by 2030, despite concerns that this is unfeasible in the short timescale, and it focuses on this while ignoring other important aspects of the economy.

Estate Agent Today has reported on the plan for mandatory new-build solar panels, which means that, should it go through the requisite governmental steps, every new-build home will come with solar panels already fitted.

Meanwhile, older properties are still being fitted with the panels, particularly useful for homes with a roof-slope facing southwards, to help offset some of the costs with energy use within the home, which is an important consideration when most people are still feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis not helped by increased energy cost caps each time they are reviewed.

This raises the important question of what needs to be considered when deciding to buy a property of any age when there are either plans to install the panels on the existing structure or they have already been fitted.

Eco-energy and heating experts, Eco Happy, provides a welcome list of considerations when it comes to solar panels, fitting them and keeping up with their necessary maintenance. Specifically, their top ten problems with the panels are:

Dirty panels - Probably the most likely problem for solar panels, they will need to be regularly inspected and cleared of dust, debris and bird droppings to ensure the generation of electricity is kept optimal.

Malfunctioning inverters - The inverter converts the direct current into alternating current for electrical energy use within the home. You'll need to check with the manufacturer's guide, assess the warranty and so on, and likely involve the experts.

Shading issues - One of the obvious problems is any obstruction that creates shade for the individual cells, such as a chimney or part of the roof construction, or something in the surrounding environment, such as a tall tree that has grown since installation.

Faulty connections - As with any electrical system, problems may arise with the wiring or any of the other electrical components, which might require electrical expertise to fix.

Climatic fluctuations - Heat and humidity can impair the solar panels, with water damage leading to corrosion and hotter weather followed by colder weather causing a continuous cycle of expansion and contraction, degrading the solar panel materials.

Extreme weather event damage - With the ongoing climate change creating more unpredictable and increasingly ferocious weather events, every homeowner is needing to think about the protection of the home and the maintenance plan each time very hot or wet weather arrives - and this is critical for the optimal functioning of the solar panels.

Poor installation - As with any kind of work to be done on the house, there will be good workers and there will correspondingly be those who do a bad job. This means doing your homework to find a reputable installer but, if already installed, finding an expert who can resolve any of the issues created.

Outdated or obsolete technology - Inevitably, with the speed at which technology is developing, some components will become outdated or surpassed by far more appropriate and efficient technology, which might require an upgrade rather than trying to maintain something that is no longer manufactured.

Broken meter - If the readings of the power generation seem to be significantly incorrect for the solar panel design, it might be the meter that's at fault and will need to be rectified or replaced.

Isolator problems - Isolators keep the system safe and, where these become an issue, they may be seriously problematic and will need replacement.

It's always advisable to take out a building survey when you are contemplating the purchase of a property, which will provide you with an expert analysis of the structural problems and the property's condition, also taking in observations of any solar panels that have been implemented.

The survey will look at how the solar panels are fitted to the roof structure to identify any problems with the stress and effects that are created by that installation.

If your chartered surveyor has any concerns with the solar panels, they may highlight points for your conveyancing solicitor to follow up - for example, any structural or remedial work connected to the installation will potentially have required approved planning permission (for example, if the property is in a conservation area). Or the surveyor may suggest the conveyancer checks if the work identified falls within any current warranty or guarantee.

Your conveyancing solicitor will then follow up on these points to establish the precise position with any planning consents, building regulations, warranties and so on, so that you are completely in the picture regarding the history, state and condition of the solar panels installed on the roof.

As we strive towards dealing with the climate crisis, the conscientious homebuyer will probably like the idea of solar panels - and not the least because it will mean cheaper energy bills if they are working effectively. But you'll want to know that all is well with them, or to have the information to hand so that you can make a clear decision about what to do with the purchase of the property.

Whatever the type of property you are planning on buying, whether it has solar panels or not, you'll want to ensure that your conveyancing is a high-quality service that is value for money.

To this end, look no further than Homeward Legal, whose conveyancing solicitors are focused on your needs with a drive to complete your transaction as quickly as possible.

Our conveyancers will start work on your plans as soon as you agree to the quotation and appoint them to represent you.

Homeward Legal will also provide a quote that will not change - what you are quoted is what you pay for standard conveyancing process, which means you can effectively budget for your conveyancing needs.

There are some unforeseen items that might arise during the purchase and/or sale, which includes a specialist flood assessment report, but the solicitor discusses these and their cost as they come up.

In addition, to protect the homebuyer further, Homeward Legal operates a 'no completion, no fee' promise, which ensures that, should the purchase or sale not go through as planned to completion status, no payment is required.

Call to get your conveyancing quote started, or to discuss your concerns with your plans to move.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Homeward Legal's easy-to-use quote generator.