Solar power in Florida
They don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing. The abundance of sun allows home solar in Florida to produce more energy compared to home solar systems in other states.
Solar panel costs have fallen significantly in recent years, making solar systems more accessible to Florida home and business owners. In fact, the average cost charged by solar energy installation companies in Florida is the lowest in the nation at just $2.70 per Watt for cash-purchased systems and $3.01 per Watt for systems purchased through a solar-specific loan, which is arranged through the installer.
The solar market in Florida is expected to stay strong through 2020, as the federal tax credit and other solar incentives (such as sales tax exemptions) make home solar panel systems a very attractive investment - despite low electricity prices charged by utility companies like Florida Power & Light.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Florida
Florida solar power facts
$2.70 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?8 Years 11 Months
Average payback time
$52,209
Average lifetime savings
?6¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
24¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?13,134 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 10.63kW system
This 10.63kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Florida is $150, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
14
Solar companies in Florida that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Florida
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Florida
| System Size | Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,216 | $6,713 |
| 4kw | $8,140 | $8,791 |
| 5kw | $9,990 | $10,789 |
| 6kw | $11,766 | $12,707 |
| 7kw | $13,468 | $14,545 |
| 8kw | $15,096 | $16,304 |
| 9kw | $16,650 | $17,982 |
| 10kw | $18,130 | $19,580 |
How much do solar panels cost in Florida?
$2.70 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$3.01 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Florida?
The advantages of installing solar panels in Florida include high solar production, the 26% solar tax credit, and a 1-for-1 net metering policy for all public utilities - making the Sunshine State a prime location for installing residential and commercial solar systems. With some of the best solar financing options available in the US, going solar in Florida is an excellent and affordable investment.
SolarPowerRocks provides a great breakdown of solar incentives and policy for each state within the US.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Florida is that the state does not accept third-party ownership power purchase agreements (PPAs) as a way to finance solar systems. In other states, this financing option is popular among third-party solar developers. They own the solar system as they build it on the customer’s property and then sell the power generated by the system back to the customer.
Florida law states that only public utilities are allowed to sell electricity in this way and that it must be available to the general public. The electricity sold to customers straight from the developer would not be considered to be available to the general public, therefore rendering PPAs illegal.
However, the local and federal incentives, paired with Florida's steady stream of sunshine more than make up for this.
Enter your details to calculate the cost and savings you are likely to get from installing solar panels for your home.
Find local city information
Find local information for cities in Florida
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Florida
Best brands of solar panels
To find the best brands of solar panels you can use America's most trusted solar panel comparison and reviews website, SolarReviews.
However, reviews of solar panels can be a bit meaningless because most consumer owners have not had any issues and so while solar company reviews are very important when choosing solar installers they are of less use when choosing solar panels.
For more information to help you make an informed decision about this topic, I would recommend this article about buying solar panels.
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Florida
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Jacksonville area solar panels installed on a south-facing 20-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,351kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits and other solar incentives are available in Florida
Solar incentives in Florida
The largest solar incentives in Florida include the federal 26% solar tax credit and the state’s net metering law.
Although there is not much available in terms of upfront rebates or performance incentives, Florida does lead the nation in the development of cheap financing for solar.
Net metering in Florida
Utility companies in Florida are required by the Florida Public Service Commission, also known as FPSC, to offer full 1-to-1 net metering to their customers. What does that mean? Florida law requires utilities to give you the full retail value for each unit of solar power you generate.
For example, if you generate more solar power than what you use, that excess power generated is exported to the grid. For each kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy you send to the grid, the utility is required to give you the full retail value of each kWh.
Tax exemptions
Florida offers two tax exemptions for solar systems: a sales tax exemption and a property tax abatement. Under the Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption, solar energy systems are exempt from Florida’s sales tax and use tax. The Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property exempts the assessed value of a solar system from your property tax.
Solar tax credit
The solar tax credit is a federal incentive that can be applied to solar systems. The credit allows for a 26% deduction of the costs of installing a solar panel system from your taxes. The tax credit is nonrefundable, meaning you can only get a refund up to the amount you owe in federal taxes.
Florida leads the nation in finance option offerings for solar systems
Florida is one of only a few states in the US to have an active and funded PACE loan program. These loans are different from a typical loan, as they are paid back through an increase in your property taxes.
And what makes PACE loans even more unique is that they are attached to the property, not the property owner. So if you decide to move, you stop paying the loan and the next property owner will continue to pay through increased property tax costs.
This is a great option for people who want to go solar but don’t know how long they will live in their present home.
Currently both Renew Financial and YGRENE Works have residential and commercial PACE solar loans available.
SELF is a certified non-profit Community Development Financial Institution that provides unsecured personal loans to those in underserved communities for sustainable home improvements. SELF’s Clean Energy Loan, which is typically provided for residential solar projects, is an unsecured loan with 3 to 7 year terms at 5% to 9.75%.
SELF also administers PACE loans for St. Lucie County.
Florida Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Florida, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Florida using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of How many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Florida
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Florida or Jacksonville ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Florida solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Florida
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Florida can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| PACE Loans | State | Loan Program |
| SELF Loans | State | Loan Program |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| City of Tallahassee Utilities - Solar Loans | Utility | Loan Program |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
