This is an excerpt from the February 9, 2012: New Incubator opportunity, nationwide training, and PV valuation tool edition of the SunShot newsletter.
Sandia Tool Estimates Value of PV Systems
A new tool developed by Sandia National Laboratories and Solar Power Electric allows property owners to determine the value of a new or existing photovoltaic system installed on residential and commercial properties.
PV Value™, an electronic form to standardize appraisals, will provide consistent appraisals of homes and businesses outfitted with photovoltaic (PV) installations. Sandia National Laboratories and Solar Power Electric™ developed this tool to address a recurring challenge faced by the real estate industry.
Funded by DOE, the tool provides appraisers, real estate agents and mortgage underwriters with more accurate values for PV systems. Licensed for solar PV installations, it can also be used for other large green features in a home that generate income, such as wind turbines. The spreadsheet, user manual, and webinar explaining the tool are available for download at http://pv.sandia.gov/pvvalue.
More details are available on the Sandia website.