7.7 The home-sale liability

There's a saying in the industry:

"If you OWN solar, it's an asset. If you LEASE solar, it's a liability."

Owned solar = an asset (raises home value by 3–4%).

Leased solar = a liability.

The average U.S. household stays in the same home for 13.2 years. At sale time:

• Owned system: ~3–4% home value bump.
• Leased system: the buyer would inherit 10+ years of contract. 95% of buyers require the seller to buy out the contract before closing.

Buyout prices are computed using "optimistic" NPV assumptions — routinely $25k–$50k.