HGTV's Mike Holmes Names The Eco-Friendly Upgrade That'll Attract More Buyers

Thinking about putting your home up for sale? Then you're probably looking for ways to boost your property's resale value. There are some popular tips out there, like boosting your home's curb appeal, giving it a good cleaning, or getting it professionally staged. But Mike Holmes, professional contractor and host of HGTV's "Holmes on Homes," wants you to consider adding on an eco-friendly feature today's homebuyers are looking for: solar panels.

"Consider solar panels," Holmes says on his website Make It Right. "Buyers may hesitate to have them installed themselves but will be attracted to houses where solar panels are installed already." Adding a solar panel system might not only help your house sell faster but possibly for more money. A 2013 study by Berkeley Lab found that homes with solar systems are perceived to be more valuable to potential home buyers than those without — and buyers are willing to pay a premium as a result. 

Solar panels are large panels that use photovoltaics (PV) to collect energy from solar radiation and convert it into usable energy. This energy can be used immediately, stored in batteries, or even sold back to your local energy utility. When installed on a home, solar panels can cut down or even entirely replace a home's electrical energy usage. Meaning this eco-friendly energy system can dramatically reduce household bills. 

But how much does solar panel installation actually cost? As of 2025, the average is around $30,000, but your end cost primarily depends on one factor: how big of a solar panel system your home needs. If your home requires more energy, the solar system needs to be bigger to meet that need and, therefore, is likely to be more expensive. But many states as well as the federal government offer solar panel tax credits to save you money. If your local utility offers net metering (NEM), you can also possibly earn credits on your electric bill by sending unused power your system generates back to the grid.

One of the first things experienced solar panel installers do is check out your roof. Why? Because if you're going to install a solar panel system, big or small, your roof needs to be in tip-top shape. If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, then it's a good idea to replace it. Since solar panels generally last around 30 years, this ensures that the new homeowners won't have to remove the system to install a new roof.

If your roof will last the same time as new solar panels, you should be good to reach out to a local solar panel installer. Make sure to ask your network for referrals to find the best company for you and check out their reviews. Once you've found a reputable installer, make sure they're licensed and insured to work in your area.

If you do need a new roof, a great question to ask your roofing contractor is what kind of roofing they recommend you should get if you're upgrading to a solar panel system. Mike Holmes advocates that metal roofs work well with solar panels. Double-check your new roof's warranty to make sure it covers the lifespan of the solar panels for extra protection. Every roofer offers a different warranty, so choose the one that makes you feel the most comfortable, and if you're planning on selling your home soon, make sure it's transferable.