%0 Report
%K renewable energy: policy
%A Ben Hoen
%A Ryan H Wiser
%A Mark A Thayer
%A Peter Cappers
%D 2012
%T Residential Photovoltaic Energy Systems in California: The Effect on Home Sales Prices
%2 LBNL-5901E
%8 03/2012
%X <p>Relatively little research exists estimating the marginal impacts of photovoltaic (PV) energy systems on home sale prices. Using a large dataset of California homes that sold from 2000 through mid-2009, we find strong evidence, despite a variety of robustness checks, that existing homes with PV systems sold for a premium over comparable homes without PV systems, implying a near full return on investment. Premiums for new homes are found to be considerably lower than those for existing homes, implying, potentially, a tradeoff between price and sales velocity. The results have significant implications for homeowners, builders, appraisers, lenders, and policymakers.</p>