Find out if solar panels are right for your home in Florida.
Solar panels can be spotted all over The Sunshine State on roofs of homes and businesses alike. The state’s abundant sunlight and supportive energy policies make it a prime location for solar for any type of customer. Solar farms to residential rooftops, with the state’s commitment to renewable energy and the cost of solar falling, it’s not just a viable option, it is an increasingly appealing one.
While solar power and other renewable energy options are booming in popularity, there is much to consider. Whether you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint or your utility bills we’ll walk you through the most important factors to help you make the best energy decision.
The average price for a home solar panel system in Florida is $15,480 for a 6kW system or about $2.58 per watt. Systems will vary depending on the solar installation company the types of solar panels you choose and the size of your system. When shopping for solar panels you should consider getting multiple quotes from various installers.
| Average Cost 6 kW System | Average Cost 10 kW System | Estimated Tax Credit (10 kW System) | Average Cost/Watt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| Florida | $15,720 | $26,200 | $7,860 | $2.62 |
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| Most Costly State(Michigan) | $22,680 | $37,800 | $11,340 | $3.78 |
| Least Costly State(Arizona) | $14,640 | $24,400 | $7,320 | $2.44 |
For most, the ideal solar system size is the sweet spot between price and capacity. The goal is to generate enough electricity to cover your home's demand while keeping overall costs low as possible.
I.E. Get the best bang for your buck.
| System Size | System Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $13,100 | $8,785 |
| 6 kW | $15,720 | $10,542 |
| 7 kW | $18,340 | $12,299 |
| 8 kW | $20,960 | $14,056 |
| 10 kW | $26,200 | $17,570 |
Unfortunately, nothing is perfect - including solar. To avoid buyer's remorse, you should think about all the pros and cons associated with installing solar equipment on your home. Then weigh them against each other to decide if it makes sense for you.
Everyone has their own opinion on how to interpret and weigh the pros and cons against each other. Our goal is to present the most common pros and cons and let you make your own choice.
Florida has an ideal climate for solar panels. Plenty of sunlight during peak energy usage seasons. But, electricity costs are relatively high compared to other states so in most cases solar panels in Florida deliver substantial savings.
Most homes will realize a slightly more expensive investment over 25 years versus buying electricity traditionally. However, if you prioritize energy independence and renewable energy, a near-breakeven scenario might be perfect for your situation.
If you are on the fence you can use this tool to get an accurate cost breakdown for your home based on your historical energy usage.
There are several ways you can purchase and/or finance your solar panel installation in Florida. Your goals and financial situation will dictate which option is best for you.
The most straightforward option. You pay upfront for the entire cost of the rooftop solar system. No interest, and fewer headaches, but many people are hesitant about spending several tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
The most common method for buying solar systems. Like many other types of large purchases, you can finance your solar system through a bank or solar loan provider.
This sounds great, and many other solar loan salespeople will leverage the low payment to justify the costs. You will likely hear something like "You pay $250 a month on your electric bill, with a solar loan you will pay $200 and have free electricity."
Do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. There are many horror stories of variable loan terms, ballooning interest rates, and harsh missed payment penalties.
Leasing solar panels generally involves less money out of pocket upfront. But, it's important to note - you do not own your solar energy system. You essentially renting the solar system. A solar provider will install the equipment and charge you a fixed monthly fee.
Most solar lease contracts last for a couple of decades, during which time the provider will keep an eye on the system's hardware and performance. At the end of your lease, you can choose to:
Solar leases can be complicated. Not all are bad, but in many cases the lease terms in not in favor of the buyer. Before you decide on a solar lease make sure to read your contract thoroughly. If you don't understand something, ask an expert.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial agreement where a solar company will design and install a solar system on your home or business with little or no cost upfront. Instead of paying a monthly fee like a lease, the agreement includes a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated.
For example, you agree to pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity generated for the next 20 years. The solar company will install and maintain your system and sell the power back to you that you use. They may also collect payment for any additional energy they put back into the grid.
Just like a lease, you do not own the panels. When the contract is up, they will either be removed or your contract may have other terms for you to buy or renew your power purchase agreement.
Power purchase agreements can be complicated. Before you sign make sure you review the contract and if possible have an expert in power purchase agreements review the details.
In addition to the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit, you may be eligible for solar incentives that could significantly reduce the cost of solar panel installation. Some incentives are statewide and others are more local. Your city, utility, or other local company could offer hundreds or thousands of dollars in incentives to install solar systems.
This table shows the available incentives in Florida. But, just because you don't see it here doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Check with your local utility for other potential incentives.
Here are some additional Florida specific websites to search incentives and other resources:
Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC): Not only does the FSEC offer energy training, testing, and data analysis. It also offers resources for financing options and where to find state incentives.
Florida Power and Light (FPL): FPL is the largest power utility company in Florida. They occasionally provide rebates to their consumers. Check their website for updates.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Per their website, “The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food.” Check out their site to find grants, information, programs, and more.
| Name | State | Category | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Solar Easement and Access Laws | FL | Regulatory Policy | Solar/Wind Access Policy |
| PV Rebate Program | FL | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
| Orlando Utilities Commission - Net Metering | FL | Regulatory Policy | Net Metering |
| Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption | FL | Financial Incentive | Sales Tax Incentive |
| SunBuilt Gold | FL | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
| Solar Contractor Licensing | FL | Regulatory Policy | Solar/Wind Contractor Licensing |
| New Smyrna Beach Utilities - Net Metering | FL | Regulatory Policy | Net Metering |
| DSM Programs Incorporating Renewables | FL | Regulatory Policy | Other Policy |
| Energy Conservation in Public Buildings | FL | Regulatory Policy | Energy Standards for Public Buildings |
| JEA - Solar Incentive Program | FL | Financial Incentive | Rebate Program |
There are hundreds of solar companies in Florida. From solar installers to solar loan providers, and manufacturers. Each is a piece of the puzzle to help you get outfitted with solar panels.
To make things simple, EnergyBot works directly with 3 of the largest solar companies to give you a comprehensive view of the market.
The solar companies we partner with:
We believe comparing these three names in the solar industry will give you the info you need to decide if solar panels are right for you.
Just because solar is a popular discussion right now, doesn’t mean it makes sense for everyone. It is still a large and expensive decision. Installing solar has great financial and environmental benefits but it won’t feel beneficial if you run into issues. Along with studying a 20-year cost comparison for your home, read some more tips to keep in mind when mulling over your decision on your installer, system design, and financial plan.
Recently, Florida House Bill 741 threatened to dismantle net metering. Stripping homeowners and businesses of this credit from 2024 onwards would have made solar power less economically viable. However, the bill was vetoed by Governor DeSantis, saving the state’s solar industry from collapse.
While net metering is in place for Florida today, it may not be for long. Florida Power & Light (FPL) are the ones who wrote the bill. FPL own large solar generation sites and continue increasing rates, even though operating existing solar facilities cost almost nothing. Advocating for public participation in protecting net metering from future legislative challenges is important to maintain to protect energy resiliency and independence.
We have helped thousands of customers find electricity plans for their home or business. And we are pretty darn good at it, with over 1,000 5-Star reviews we know how to help you stay powered up.
Now using the same one-of-kind technology and platform we are helping consumers in Florida decide if solar is right for them. You will notice that sometimes our numbers make solar look less attractive. That's not by accident. We believe you should have full transparency during the solar purchasing process.
We aren't here to sell you something. We are here to help you make the best energy decision for your home or business.
The cost of solar panel installation in Florida can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including the size and type of the system, the complexity of the installation, your solar installer, and the specific location. However, the average cost of solar panels in the U.S. was about $3.13 per watt, before any incentives or tax credits.
A typical residential solar system is usually around 8 kilowatts (8,000 watts), but varies based on energy use and the size of the house. The US average cost for a 6 kW system is $18,771 and the US average cost for a 10 kW system is $31,285, before incentives.
The number of solar panels you would need depends on a variety of factors such as:
To give you a rough estimate, let's say you live in a location that receives about 5 hours of peak sunlight per day, your solar panels have an efficiency of 20%, and each panel has a power rating of 300 watts. If your home uses about 10,400 kWh per year, you would divide this by 365 to get your daily energy use (about 28.5 kWh). You would then divide this by the hours of peak sunlight (5 hours), to get your required power output per hour (about 5.7 kW). If each solar panel produces 300 watts (or 0.3 kW), you would divide 5.7 kW by 0.3 to get the number of solar panels you need, which would be about 19 panels.
The installation process for solar panels can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the system and the complexity of the installation.
Your installer should be able to give you an estimated timeline based on your specific project.
Solar panels generally require very little maintenance. However, it's a good idea to have them inspected every few years to ensure they are working properly and to clean off any debris or dirt that may have accumulated on the panels. Most solar panel installers offer maintenance services for an additional fee.
Some skilled DIYers may be able to save some solar installation costs by installing solar equipment themselves. But, any solar installation will require a foundational knowledge of wiring and electricity. There's is a lot that can go wrong, posing a potentially deadly hazard.
Before you try to DIY your system we would recommend getting a quote from a solar installer. You may find that the labor costs of your install is relatively small compared to the cost of the solar equipment itself.
Also, many states require certain permits in order to install the panels to ensure safety. Including a construction permit and an electrical permit. Check out the permit websites for your city before taking on this endeavor.
From Start to Finish Solar Projects
Tallahassee Solar From Start to Finish
There are two main types of solar panels: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. There are pros and cons to both. Either type can produce enough solar power for your home. We recommend getting a recommendation from a solar installer for your home. Depending on your budget, location, and other factors they can recommend the most efficient solar panels for your home.
