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Sell a House With Leased Solar Panels in Florida

Selling · Solar Panels

Voyance Real Estate LLC · Alex D. Silva, Broker · Lic. BK3153327

You can sell a house with leased solar panels in Florida, but the solar contract has to be settled before closing.

Talk about your solar contract

Depending on your contract, the buyer takes it over, you buy it out, or the panels come off.

First, find out who owns the panels

Owned (cash or loan)

  • You own the system, and it generally sells with the home.
  • A solar loan is your debt. If a UCC filing secures it, it’s usually paid off at closing.

Leased

  • A solar company owns the panels, and you pay it monthly.
  • Leases can last 20 years, so yours may still be active.

Power purchase agreement (PPA)

  • The company owns the panels. You buy the power they produce at a price the company sets.

Not sure? Check your closing papers or ask the solar company.

Your options with a solar lease or PPA

  1. Transfer it to the buyer.The solar company usually must approve the buyer, who may face a credit check or fee. Lenders may count lease payments as the buyer’s debt.
  2. Buy it out.If your contract allows it, get a written buyout quote and ask if it can be paid at closing.
  3. Move or remove the panels.Some contracts allow this, at a cost. Ask who repairs the roof, especially on an older roof.

Title search and disclosure

Some solar lenders and leasing companies record a UCC fixture filing in county records, but not every contract has one. If yours does, the title search finds it, like a lien, and it may need a release or subordination.

Tell buyers early whether the panels are owned or leased. PACE is a separate kind of financing repaid on your property tax bill. If your panels were financed that way, Florida law requires a written disclosure to the buyer at or before signing the sales contract, and if the buyer uses a Fannie Mae loan, it must be paid off by closing.

A cash or as-is buyer still has to deal with the solar contract.

Alex isn’t an attorney or title company. Have a Florida real estate attorney review your solar contract.

Get before you list

  • The lease, PPA or loan agreement.
  • The company’s transfer rules and fees.
  • A written buyout or payoff quote.
  • Any UCC filing or PACE assessment.
Alex D. Silva

Alex Silva, broker

Voyance Real Estate is led by its broker and owner, Alex D. Silva, who has more than 30 years in real estate and holds Florida broker license BK3153327.

Short-sale negotiation is his specialty: lender approvals, second liens, and valuation disputes.

He works with homes, condos, rentals, and commercial property across Central and South Florida, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

More about Alex

Solar panel questions

Can I sell if the buyer won’t take over the solar lease?

Often, yes, using the buyout or removal terms in your contract. Get the cost in writing first.

Do leased solar panels add value to my home?

Not in the appraisal for a Fannie Mae loan. Leased and PPA panels are treated as personal property. Owned panels can count.

What if I still owe on a solar loan?

Ask the lender for a payoff letter early. If a UCC filing secures the loan, it’s usually paid at closing and the filing released.

Sources: Florida Realtors · FTC · Fannie Mae: solar eligibility, appraisal · Florida law: PACE disclosure, UCC filings

General real estate information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.

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Selling a home with solar panels?

Tell Alex whether the panels are owned, leased or on a PPA, and your timeline.

Contact Alex