UnbiasedSolar
Typical home: Worth it

Is solar worth it in Florida?

For a typical Florida home in 2026, solar is worth it: about a 10.5-year payback and $41,335 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.

Payback, typical home
10.5 yrs9.3 kW, paying cash
Electricity price
15.4¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
Solar production
1,544kWh per kW per year
Exports credited at
RetailFull retail net metering

The numbers for a typical Florida home

Electricity use1,091 kWh a month (Florida average)
Best-value system9.3 kW, producing 14,356 kWh a year (110% of use)
Price$21,635 at about $2.45/W
First-year savings$2,053
Payback10.5 years
25-year net$41,335 (9.3% a year return)
Rate increase assumed2.8% a year, from Florida's 2015–2025 history

Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.

Why it comes out this way

  • Electricity costs 15.4¢ per kWh, close to the U.S. average of 18.0¢.
  • Most utilities credit exported solar at or near the retail rate, so you get full value for midday surplus.
  • A typical system here produces about 1,544 kWh per kW per year (ranked #7 of 51).
  • There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Watch out for leases right now. Lease and PPA providers can still claim a federal credit that homeowners can't, so they're being pushed hard. Compare any lease against buying with our lease vs. buy calculator.

Net metering and export rules in Florida

Full retail net metering. Florida's investor-owned utilities (FPL, Duke Energy Florida, TECO) must offer full retail net metering: exports earn kWh credits that roll over for up to 12 months, then any leftover is paid at a low avoided-cost rate. Municipal and co-op utilities set their own terms, and some pay less.

IOUs: excess kWh credited at full retail and carried forward; at annual true-up (end of calendar year) remaining excess paid at utility's as-available avoided energy cost (~2-4 cents).

  • Netting: monthly
  • Unused credits: Monthly kWh rollover up to 12 months; annual cash-out at avoided energy cost.
  • System size limit: 2000 kW
  • Fixed charges: FPL has a $25 minimum bill (base charge plus) which net-metered customers pay; other IOUs have standard customer charges.
  • Last major change: HB 741 (2022) to phase down net metering was vetoed by Gov. DeSantis (Apr 2022); Rule 25-6.065 unchanged.
  • Pending: Periodic utility-driven pressure to revise; no active rule change confirmed as of Oct 2026.

Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.

Rules by utility
UtilityExport creditNotes
Florida Power & Light13¢/kWhFull retail; $25 minimum bill. Includes former Gulf Power territory. Retail rate approximate.
Duke Energy Florida~100% of retailFull retail under PSC rule.
Tampa Electric (TECO)~100% of retailFull retail under PSC rule.
JEA (Jacksonville)Reduced export creditMunicipal; since 2018 new systems' excess credited below retail (fuel-rate based). Verify current tariff.

Solar incentives in Florida

The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.

ProgramTypeWhat you getStatus
Solar sales tax exemptionsales tax exemptionSolar energy systems are exempt from Florida sales and use tax (s. 212.08(7)(hh)). Eligibility: Solar energy system equipment.active
Residential renewable energy property tax exemptionproperty tax exemptionValue added by a residential renewable energy source device is excluded from assessed value (s. 193.624). Eligibility: Residential property.active

What solar costs in Florida

A fair cash price is around $2.45 per watt before incentives. For the 9.3 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $19,400 to $27,300; smaller systems cost more per watt.

Public installation records (LBNL Tracking the Sun and state data, 2,193 owned systems since 2024) show a median of $4.00/W, with the middle half between $2.63 and $5.94. These prices include loan dealer fees, which is why cash quotes are often lower.

Solar costs in every state · What's a good price per watt?

Average residential electricity price in Florida (¢/kWh)

EIA annual averages. Prices rose 2.8% a year from 2015 to 2025; Florida ranks #30 of 51 for price. Last 12 months through July 2026: 15.4¢.

Show as a table
PeriodValue
'1211.4
'1311.3
'1411.9
'1511.6
'1611.0
'1711.6
'1811.5
'1911.7
'2011.3
'2111.9
'2213.9
'2315.2
'2414.1
'2515.2
Monthly production per kW of solar in Florida

kWh per kW for a south-facing roof at a 20° tilt, population-weighted across 174 cities (PVWatts, NLR). Total 1,544 kWh a year.

Show as a table
PeriodValue
Jan116
Feb116
Mar146
Apr149
May149
Jun128
Jul132
Aug131
Sep122
Oct129
Nov116
Dec109

How many homes have solar

Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
319,411
Share of homes
3.0%
Residential solar capacity
3,072 MW
Growth over the past year
+11.2%
New systems with a battery
0%
New systems leased or PPA
0%

Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.

Electric utilities in Florida

UtilityHomes servedPrice (2026 est.)Typical useTypical-home verdict
Florida Power & Light (FPL)5,337,11814.8¢1,111 kWh/moWorth it
Duke Energy Florida1,819,96218.6¢1,009 kWh/moWorth it
Tampa Electric (TECO)768,80617.5¢1,117 kWh/moWorth it
JEA479,28814.0¢1,057 kWh/moNot worth it
Orlando Utilities Comm254,55213.4¢974 kWh/moWorth it
Sumter Electric Cooperative240,24115.2¢1,010 kWh/moWorth it
Lee County Electric Cooperative236,57814.4¢1,176 kWh/moWorth it
Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative231,67713.9¢1,248 kWh/moWorth it
Clay Electric Cooperative173,96614.2¢1,220 kWh/moWorth it
City of Lakeland122,50611.9¢1,160 kWh/moWorth it
City of Tallahassee105,94514.1¢934 kWh/moWorth it
Gainesville Regional Utilities93,21414.9¢798 kWh/moWorth it
Kissimmee Utility Authority82,78511.8¢1,129 kWh/moWorth it
Peace River Electric Cooperative62,01813.0¢1,177 kWh/moWorth it
Choctawhatche Electric Cooperative59,40714.2¢1,202 kWh/moWorth it
Talquin Electric Cooperative54,45415.4¢1,139 kWh/moWorth it
City of Ocala48,53811.8¢1,015 kWh/moClose call
Central Florida Electric Cooperative32,97215.4¢1,048 kWh/moWorth it
Beaches Energy Services30,73812.1¢1,198 kWh/moWorth it
Florida Keys El Cooperative Association29,09814.1¢1,326 kWh/moWorth it
New Smyrna Beach City of28,35511.1¢922 kWh/moClose call
Utility Board of the City of Key West, F27,46015.3¢1,182 kWh/moWorth it
West Florida El Cooperative Association26,63216.9¢1,094 kWh/moWorth it
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative26,17417.8¢1,113 kWh/moWorth it
Florida Public Utilities26,05318.0¢1,020 kWh/moWorth it

Solar by city in Florida

Protect yourself when buying

  • Check the license. Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board: Certified/Registered Solar Contractor (CV/SC) or Electrical Contractor (EC) via the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board. Look up an installer
  • Cancellation rights. 3 business days to cancel many home-solicitation sales. Home solicitation sale rules (Fla. Stat. 501.021-501.055). No comprehensive solar-specific disclosure law verified. How to cancel
  • HOA and solar access. Yes. Florida Statute 163.04 prohibits HOAs and deed restrictions from banning solar collectors (HOA may specify orientation if it doesn't impair performance).
  • Community solar. Utility-run subscription programs only (FPL SolarTogether, Duke Clean Energy Connection); no third-party community solar.

Installers active in Florida

Ranked by installations in public records, not by payment. Volume isn't quality: always check licenses and reviews.

  1. Tesla Energy 802 installs
  2. Sunnova 683 installs · bankrupt
  3. Sunrun 666 installs
  4. Titan Solar Power 524 installs · bankrupt
  5. Momentum Solar 514 installs
  6. Windmar Home Florida 376 installs
  7. Freedom Forever 346 installs · bankrupt
  8. Equity Solar 272 installs
  9. Palmetto 265 installs
  10. Sunlight Enterprises 242 installs
  11. Esa Solar Energy 208 installs
  12. Vision Solar 205 installs
  13. Meraki Installers 195 installs
  14. Green House Solar And Air 185 installs
  15. Solar Specialist 176 installs

Search all Florida installers

More about solar in FloridaFull retail with 12-month rollover; size systems to annual load to avoid low-value year-end payouts. Third-party PPAs are restricted in Florida (leases allowed).

Questions about solar in Florida

Is solar worth it in Florida in 2026?

For a typical Florida home, solar is worth it. A 9.3 kW system costing about $21,635 after state incentives saves about $2,053 in the first year and pays back in about 10.5 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.

How much do solar panels cost in Florida?

A reasonable cash price is around $2.45 per watt before incentives, or roughly $19,400 to $27,300 for a 9.3 kW system. Public installation records for Florida show a recent median of $4.00/W, which often includes loan dealer fees.

Does Florida have net metering?

Florida's investor-owned utilities (FPL, Duke Energy Florida, TECO) must offer full retail net metering: exports earn kWh credits that roll over for up to 12 months, then any leftover is paid at a low avoided-cost rate. Municipal and co-op utilities set their own terms, and some pay less.

Is there a solar tax credit in Florida?

The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Florida does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of. Solar may be exempt from property tax.

How do I check a solar installer's license in Florida?

Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board: Certified/Registered Solar Contractor (CV/SC) or Electrical Contractor (EC) via the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp.

Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include flrules.org, flsenate.gov, programs.dsireusa.org. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.