How does Vermont compare with the national average for a solar panel installation?

Homeowners in Vermont typically recoup about 30% of the project's cost at resale, versus ~30% nationally. Vermont is part of the New England Census division, which has the 4th-highest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. divisions.

What most affects the actual return in Vermont?

Recency and condition. In Roots' model, work under 2 years old counts fully toward resale value, then depreciates toward ~20% after 10 years. A home with a documented maintenance record also typically sells closer to asking. Market conditions in the New England division set the regional baseline.

Where do these numbers come from?

Roots calibrates the national baseline for a solar panel installation against the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda), then applies a New England-division adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, plus the model's own age and condition factors. Figures are modeled estimates, not appraisals.

Is a solar panel installation worth it in Vermont?

Quick answer: It can be. In Vermont, a solar panel installation typically returns about 30% of its cost at resale, in line with the ~30% national average. You likely won't recoup the full cost, but Vermont is one of the stronger markets for it.

How Vermont compares

Vermont is part of the New England U.S. Census division, which has the 4th-highest renovation resale returns of the 9 divisions in Roots' valuation model. In practice that means a solar panel installation that returns ~30% of its cost nationally typically returns ~30% for a Vermont home.

The same regional adjustment applies across the division (Vermont plus CT, MA, ME, NH, RI). Nationwide, the spread for this project runs from ~24% in the West North Central division to ~35% in the Pacific division. See the national breakdown for every region.

The New England market

New England has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, and buyers here are used to paying a premium for homes that have been genuinely kept up. Long heating seasons and freeze-thaw winters punish deferred maintenance, so move-in-ready condition carries real weight at resale.

With long winters and some of the highest heating costs in the country, efficiency upgrades get noticed here faster than in milder regions.

How other projects return in Vermont

Project	Typical return in Vermont
Solar panel installation (this page)	~30%
Wood deck addition	~83%
Bathroom remodel	~74%
Basement remodel	~71%
Window replacement	~67%

Return figures are typical resale-return estimates from Roots' home valuation model. Actual results vary by market, home, and workmanship, and shouldn't be relied on for lending, insurance, or tax decisions.

Sources: national baseline for this project calibrated against the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda); regional adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report.

Protect the value you add

Whatever the project returns on paper, condition decides what you actually get: in Roots' model the value of completed work fades as it ages, and a documented maintenance record helps a home sell closer to asking. If you're planning around resale value, start with upkeep. The free maintenance checklist generator builds a seasonal schedule for Vermont homes in about a minute.

The bottom line

“According to Roots' home valuation model, Vermont's New England region has the 4th-highest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. Census divisions. A solar panel installation there typically recoups about 30% of its cost, within a nationwide range of ~24% to ~35%.” — Roots home valuation model (regionally adjusted resale-return estimates)

Free tool Keep your home in the condition that holds its value The homes that hold their value are the ones that stay well maintained. Build a free maintenance checklist tuned to your home. It takes about 30 seconds and there is no signup.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a solar panel installation worth it in Vermont?: It can be. In Vermont, a solar panel installation typically returns about 30% of its cost at resale, in line with the ~30% national average. You likely won’t recoup the full cost, but Vermont is one of the stronger markets for it.
How does Vermont compare with the national average for a solar panel installation?: Homeowners in Vermont typically recoup about 30% of the project’s cost at resale, versus ~30% nationally. Vermont is part of the New England Census division, which has the 4th-highest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. divisions.
What most affects the actual return in Vermont?: Recency and condition. In Roots’ model, work under 2 years old counts fully toward resale value, then depreciates toward ~20% after 10 years. A home with a documented maintenance record also typically sells closer to asking. Market conditions in the New England division set the regional baseline.
Where do these numbers come from?: Roots calibrates the national baseline for a solar panel installation against the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda), then applies a New England-division adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, plus the model’s own age and condition factors. Figures are modeled estimates, not appraisals.

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