Facts prove solar good for Arizona homeowners; more regulation not needed

Press Release From: Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association Facts Prove Solar Homes Sell Faster And For Higher Prices Undermining Utility-Sponsored Rhetoric; Proves More Regulation Not Needed

PHOENIX, AZ, FEBRUARY 18, 2015. An analysis of Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS) residential sales data for the past six months show that homes with solar actually sell faster and at much higher prices than homes without solar. Month Median Solar Home Price Median Non-Solar Home Price Avg. DOM*       Solar Owned Avg. DOM*       Solar Lease Avg. DOM*    Non-Solar Jan. ‘15 $248,000 $194,700 104 78 95 Dec. ‘14 $255,000 $197,000 82 80 85 Nov. ‘14 $249,258 $192,000 85 80 89 Oct. ‘14 $230,000 $193,000 95 75 88 Sep. ‘14 $277,400 $193,950 76 76 84 Aug. ‘14 $245,375 $196,250 75 64 88 *DOM means “Days on Market” Through the end of 2014, homes with either owned or leased solar systems outpaced sales of non-solar homes significantly. Contrary to what proponents of APS-backed SB1465 would like the public to believe, solar leased homes sold the fastest of any home and at a higher price.    "This data proves what we have known all along; solar is a benefit to Arizona and makes homes more attractive to prospective buyers whether systems are leased or owned by the original homeowner" said Mark Holohan, President of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA).  "We ask that legislators take notice of this information the next time a utility lobbyist sits in their office making baseless claims that solar makes it harder to sell a home or doesn't add value for homeowners." Of particular note is that while all solar has benefits, homes with leased systems actually sold the quickest. "Hopefully our state legislature can now follow Governor Ducey's lead, stop trying to add regulations on top of regulations, and focus on making Arizona a leader in the booming rooftop solar industry" said Court Rich, Vice-President of AriSEIA.  "The legislature should not be doing the bidding of utility special interests in an effort to regulate companies the utilities don't like out of the state" continued Rich, "Despite APS's monopolistic desires, the people of Arizona do not need to be protected from a technology that employs thousands of Arizonans, saves homeowners money on their ever increasing electric bills, and helps homes sell faster and for more money.” 30