See how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in Florida
Our estimates used by
Solar power in Florida
Last fact-checked on April 14, 2023, by Catherine Lane
They don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing. The abundance of sun in Florida allows home solar to produce more energy than many other states in the U.S.
Also, solar panel costs have fallen significantly over the years, making installations more accessible to homes and businesses all over the state. In fact, the average cost charged by solar installation companies in Florida is one of the lowest in the nation, at an average of just $2.58 per watt for cash-purchased systems and $3.01 per watt for systems purchased with loans.
Not only are they affordable to install, but there are also great incentives that go with them. Florida has a great net metering policy, the federal 30% tax credit, and tax exemptions. However, state legislatures recently tried to cut the net metering program, which would have drastically reduced solar savings. Thankfully, the new rules didn’t pass, but that doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. Floridians considering solar systems should make the move now while the policies are still great.
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 6 Months
Average payback time
$53,724
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 Solar-Estimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Florida
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Florida
| System Size | Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $5,880 | $6,350 |
| 4kw | $7,700 | $8,316 |
| 5kw | $9,450 | $10,206 |
| 6kw | $11,130 | $12,020 |
| 7kw | $12,740 | $13,759 |
| 8kw | $14,280 | $15,422 |
| 9kw | $15,750 | $17,010 |
| 10kw | $17,150 | $18,522 |
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?
Floridians are lucky to live in a state that gets plenty of sunshine because it means their solar panels can produce a substantial amount of electricity compared to other states in the U.S. When you combine the high energy production with the state’s solid net metering plan, 30% tax credit, and the tax exemption policies, you’ve got an excellent financial investment.
We will give you a little warning, though: state legislators have tried to change the net metering policy. Luckily, the changes got vetoed by the Governor. But we wouldn't be surprised if politicians tried eliminating net metering again. Because of that, you should go solar sooner rather than later to lock in the best solar savings possible.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Florida is that the state and its utilities don't offer a ton in the way of solar incentives and rebates. However, this isn't a huge issue given that the cost of solar in Florida is relatively cheap.
Enter your details to calculate the cost and savings you will likely 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
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 30% 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's low average installation costs still make going solar a solid investment.
Net metering in Florida
Florida offers a great net metering policy to its residents. Investor-owned 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 this mean? Florida law requires utilities to give you the full retail value for each unit of solar power you generate.
In other words, if you generate more solar power than you use, the 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 a credit worth the full retail value of each kWh.
Under this policy, Florida residents switching to solar are getting a great bang for their buck.
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 30% 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 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 Clean 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 |
| Lakeland Electric - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program | Utility | Loan Program |
| Florida Keys Electric Cooperative - Solar Loan Program | Utility | Loan Program |
| Orlando Utilities Commission - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Utility | Battery Rebate |
| Jacksonville Electric Authority - Solar Battery Incentive Program | Utility | Battery Rebate |
| 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.
