paid content
Summer is when buyers start looking at new homes with fresh urgency. They notice the kitchen, the roof, the yard, the commute, and the view.
And in Northwest Washington, they will also notice solar panels. For homes in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, and Snohomish counties, that can be a valuable feature, but only if buyers and sellers know what questions to ask before closing.
With Puget Sound Energy rates rising, a home with solar can feel especially attractive. Still, solar should not be treated like a mystery. For Ian Schmitt, Sales and Design Manager for Western Solar, who works on commercial and residential projects, the most common problems are often related to missing paperwork, forgotten monitoring transfers, unclear utility usage, or a system installed by a company that is no longer around. A little preparation can prevent a lot of confusion.
Solar is usually viewed positively, especially as rising utility rates make it a stronger long-term investment. The challenge is that buyers do not always understand what the system will actually do for them.
“A prospective home buyer doesn’t usually have a clear picture of how the system will benefit them after they take possession of the home,” Schmitt said. “Solar is often one of the last thought-of items on the punch list during home inspection and discussions with the seller [and] agents.”
That can leave basic questions unanswered. How much electricity does the system produce? Is monitoring active? Who installed it? Are there warranties left? Schmitt said early education helps buyers see solar as an integral part of the home rather than a confusing add-on.
For sellers, the strongest move is to collect any paperwork from the project before listing.
“The most important document,” Schmitt said, “would be the signed contract from the original installation.”
That document should list the equipment used, the original installer, the contract date, and any warranty timeframes.
Another helpful document is the Single Line Diagram, which Schmitt described as “the electrical schematic for how the PV system was integrated into the existing electrical system.”
A future service provider may need it, even if a buyer does not. Having that schematic available can make repairs or troubleshooting much easier.
Sellers should also be ready to share a recent utility bill from when the home was occupied. Solar production is only one side of the story. The other side is household usage. A bill can help a buyer understand whether the system covered most of the previous owner’s electricity use in an average year.
Buyers should bring solar into the inspection conversation, not save it for move-in day. Schmitt said one of the best questions is simple: Can I see a current utility bill?
“That’s going to paint a pretty clear picture of how the system may be functioning and whether or not it is covering all of their electrical usage in an average year,” he said.
From there, buyers should think about their own habits. A household with an electric vehicle, a home office, or different heating and cooling patterns may use more power than the seller did. That may shape future decisions about expansion or equipment upgrades.
“The most important detail is the transfer of any monitoring for the currently installed system,” Schmitt said. “The monitoring is crucial as it provides indicators about system health and performance.”
Each inverter manufacturer handles monitoring a little differently. Some systems can be transferred to a new owner for a small administrative fee. Others may not have monitoring at all. Buyers should ask what platform is used, who has access, and what steps are needed after closing.
A growing concern for some homeowners is the orphaned solar system, meaning the original installer has gone out of business. The system may still work. The equipment may still have warranty coverage. But the homeowner no longer has the original company to call for help.
Schmitt said buyers can protect themselves by requesting documentation before the purchase is finalized. After the purchase, the new owner should find a reputable local solar installer that can take on service and maintenance.
That need helped inspire Western Solar’s new service initiative for orphaned solar owners. Through the program, the well-established northwest Washington solar designer, installer, and servicer provides maintenance and repair for solar systems installed by other companies.
“We started the service program in order to ensure our community members have a resource for maintaining and protecting their investment,” Schmitt said.
Western Solar’s initiative gives homeowners a local contact for maintenance, repairs, monitoring help, and warranty claims. For a buyer inheriting a system, that kind of support can turn a confusing situation into a manageable one.
Schmitt said it also points to a larger lesson. “Having someone in your region to stand behind the work performed on your home is so important.”
Solar can add value and confidence to a home sale, but only when the handoff is clear. Sellers should gather records before listing. Buyers should ask about usage, warranties, and monitoring before closing. And for homeowners whose installer is no longer around, Western Solar is a local resource to help keep those systems working for the long run.
Integrity + Craftsmanship
https://www.westernsolarinc.com/
Paid content provided by advertisers. The editorial staff of Cascadia Daily News was not involved in its creation. Learn more about our Paid Content.
Consider talking to one of our sales consultants to ensure you are getting the most out of your business goals and budget. Email advertising@cascadiadaily.com or call 360-922-3090, press 3. We are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.
© 2025 Cascadia Daily News. All rights reserved.
