Value is in the eye of the beholder and the location of the home. In cheap energy areas people dont want a resale home with older solar panels on it, concerns many for various reasons, like roofing needing replacement or they dont know how long they will be in the home and then the panels will be even older, unsightly to many, in fact they weren't even allowed in our 16 year old community until two years ago and only can be installed now if on the rear of the home, unseen from the street.Solar also increases the value of your home; how much depends on numerous things. As you say, location matters most.
My solar was part of a larger, long term plan to minimize recurring costs. It took me 20 years, or more, to complete. Today my only recurring costs are property taxes, car insurance, small PG&E bill and cellular. If I drove the EV more, the solar investment would even be better with gasoline prices. I'm sure there are some other chump change costs in there, but I forget.
I am a fiscal conservative and I never think in short term goals. I have made some costly mistakes and learned from them. All good @alarmguy .
Two people in our community (that I know of) out of 200 had them installed and one of the 2 actually sold the systems in an area where my cost averages 10 cents kWr. SO even someone more wasteful during the 3 hours a day peak time maybe cost them 13 cents.
Like I say, I do agree looking at costs in CA I suspect you are 100% on value but not here. Solar on homes can limit buyers here, people dont want them.
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