With federal support for rooftop solar fading, buyers may put a higher premium on homes where the panels are already in place. Especially if they want lower power bills without incurring upfront costs. 

A group of listings priced around $800,000 in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia shows how solar can reduce the ongoing costs of homeownership.

In a roundup from NOTUS, three examples appeared in Petworth, Rockville, and Alexandria. NOTUS reported that, until 2026, the IRS could cover 30% of installation costs for eligible homeowners. 

Buyers who purchase a house with panels already installed may be able to benefit from the savings without taking on the full upfront expense.

Here's what to know

The three homes in the NOTUS roundup highlight different versions of the same appeal: lower electricity bills alongside features that can make day-to-day life easier. In D.C., a three-bedroom rowhouse features a new roof, solar panels oriented to the south, and an e-bike charging station. In Maryland, a four-bedroom Cape Cod house adds a greenhouse and an EV charger.

Solar panels do not guarantee that a purchase will be a financial win for every buyer. Real estate professionals advised shoppers to examine prior utility bills, inspect whether the roof has any problems related to the panel installation, and consider when the household uses electricity, since people who are home during the day can often get more from solar production.

Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, even as incentives change. Homeowners who want to explore the option can use EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.

The utility data attached to the listings helps explain the appeal. The Rockville home logged sub-$100 electric bills in seven of 12 months and, as NOTUS reported, generated a $21 credit in September 2025 by producing more power than it consumed. 

In Alexandria, a home had averaged only $8.70 on its Dominion Energy bill from January 2025 onward, according to NOTUS.

More background

Energy costs make up a major part of the true price of owning a home. While a mortgage payment may remain fixed, utility bills can swing sharply with the seasons. Solar panels can help stabilize those costs, especially when paired with efficient features such as newer roofs, EV charging, and layouts that support electrified living.

The listings also show that the value of solar is not one-size-fits-all. The Petworth home emphasizes city access and efficiency upgrades, while the Rockville property pairs lower bills with more family space on a larger lot. Meanwhile, the Alexandria townhome suggests that in more expensive neighborhoods, lower energy costs can help offset otherwise steep monthly expenses.

For homeowners considering panels instead of buying a solar-equipped house, EnergySage offers free tools that let you curate competitive bids from local installers. That free help can be especially useful as buyers and homeowners try to navigate changing incentives. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. 

Readers can also check EnergySage's solar map, which shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, as well as details on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, these resources can help get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.

What can be done?

If a home does not already include backup power, adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Batteries can also store solar power for later use, helping homeowners rely less on the grid during expensive peak hours. Interested readers can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.

As Compass broker Kerry Adams put it, "One of the biggest challenges for buyers looking for a home in Del Ray is the cost of ownership. That's where this home stands apart. Energy-efficient solar panels keep most monthly Dominion Energy bills under $10, helping offset the cost of living."

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