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Solar Panels in Florida:
Is It Worth It in 2026?

Florida averages 1475.4 kWh per kWp per year with 5.7 peak sun hours per day. At 15.92¢/kWh, an 8 kW system saves roughly $1,879/year and pays back in about 8 years.

💡 Florida's Solar Rights Act protects homeowners from HOA bans. 6% sales tax exemption reduces upfront cost automatically.

Florida Solar at a Glance

Peak sun hours / day5.7 hrs
Avg solar yield1475.4 kWh/kWp/yr
Electricity rate15.92¢ / kWh
Avg payback (8 kW)8 years
Annual savings (8 kW)$1,879/yr
Net meteringFull retail net metering ✓

EIA data updated: April 11, 2026 · EIA, PVGIS v5.3

Solar Incentives in Florida

Federal ITC
30%

The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Cash and loan purchases no longer qualify. State incentives below still apply.

State Programs
Rebates & Exemptions

6% sales tax exemption, 100% property tax exemption, Florida Solar Rights Act protects homeowners

Total Savings
Varies

Utility rebates, exemptions, and net metering still apply. Federal ITC expired Dec 2025. Plus sales tax exemption. Property value increase is tax-exempt.

All Available Incentives in Florida

Federal ITC (Section 25D) — Expired December 31, 2025 — no longer available for residential cash/loan
Sales Tax Exemption — Solar equipment is sales-tax exempt
Property Tax Exemption — Solar-added home value not taxed
Net Metering — Full retail net metering ✓

How Much Solar Power Do Florida Cities Get?

Real PVGIS yield data and EIA electricity rates for all 11 cities. Click any city for detailed payback calculations.

Jacksonville
1428.5 kWh/kWp · 8.3 yr payback
Miami
1487.8 kWh/kWp · 8 yr payback
Tampa
1493.5 kWh/kWp · 7.9 yr payback
Orlando
1470.3 kWh/kWp · 8.1 yr payback
St. Petersburg
1576.7 kWh/kWp · 7.5 yr payback
Hialeah
1461.2 kWh/kWp · 8.1 yr payback
Port St. Lucie
1433 kWh/kWp · 8.3 yr payback
Cape Coral
1526.4 kWh/kWp · 7.8 yr payback
Tallahassee
1418 kWh/kWp · 8.4 yr payback
Fort Lauderdale
1487.4 kWh/kWp · 8 yr payback
Pembroke Pines
1446.7 kWh/kWp · 8.2 yr payback
Gainesville
1398.7 kWh/kWp · 14 yr payback
Personalized estimate

Enter your monthly bill — get exact payback numbers for Florida.

Calculator
All Florida incentives

Full breakdown of credits, rebates, net metering, and SREC programs.

Incentives

Solar in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions

Are solar panels hurricane-proof in Florida?
Modern solar panels are highly wind-resistant. Florida-approved systems must meet Miami-Dade County Product Control standards, rated for 130–180 mph winds. Panels are typically the most durable part of your roof in a hurricane — it's the mounting hardware and roof integrity that matter most. Always use an installer familiar with Florida building codes.
Can my HOA ban solar panels in Florida?
No. Florida's Solar Rights Act (Florida Statute §163.04) prohibits HOAs and local governments from banning solar panels. Your HOA can specify 'reasonable' placement requirements, but cannot block installation or reduce system efficiency by more than 10%.
Does Florida have a solar tax credit?
Florida has no state income tax, so there's no state solar tax credit. However, Florida offers a 6% sales tax exemption on solar equipment purchases (saving ~$1,200 on a typical system) and a 100% property tax exemption on the added home value from solar. All Florida homeowners also qualify for the state solar incentives (federal ITC expired Dec 2025).
How does net metering work in Florida?
Florida utilities including FPL, Duke Energy, and TECO offer full retail net metering — you earn credits at the retail rate for every kWh exported. Credits carry forward monthly and are settled annually.

Going Solar in Florida: Step by Step

From first quote to first kilowatt — here is the typical timeline for a residential solar installation in Florida. Most homeowners complete this process in 6–12 weeks.

  1. 1
    Get 3 quotes

    Prices in Florida average $22,400 for an 8 kW system before incentives. Getting three quotes typically saves 10–15%. Use the same system size so you can compare apples to apples.

  2. 2
    Review your electricity bill

    Your last 12 months of usage determines the right system size. At 15.92¢/kWh in Florida, a system that offsets 90% of your bill hits the best cost-per-kWh sweet spot.

  3. 3
    Check state incentives

    Florida does not have a statewide solar tax credit, but utility rebates and net metering may still apply. 6% sales tax exemption.

  4. 4
    Sign contract & apply for permits

    Your installer pulls the building permit and files interconnection paperwork with your utility. Permit approval in Florida typically takes 1–4 weeks depending on your county.

  5. 5
    Installation day

    A standard 8 kW residential installation takes 1–2 days. Racking goes on first, then panels, then the inverter is wired to your main panel. The crew usually keeps the power on throughout.

  6. 6
    Utility inspection & interconnection

    After installation your utility inspects the system and approves grid connection. This final step can take 1–3 weeks. Once approved, your meter tracks both import and export.

Data summary for Florida: Florida averages 1475.4 kWh/kWp/year with 5.7 peak sun hours/day. Electricity costs 15.92¢/kWh. An 8 kW solar system saves ~$1,879/year and pays back in 8.0 years. 6% sales tax exemption, 100% property tax exemption, Florida Solar Rights Act protects homeowners.