Florida Solar Guide 2026
Everything Florida homeowners need to know: costs, incentives, net metering policy, and what makes this state unique for solar.
Quick answer
Florida solar economics depend mainly on 5.5 average peak sun hours, an estimated $2.8/W installed cost, 12.0¢/kWh electricity, and the state's current net-metering rules.
Reviewed 2026-07-26
- Best for
- Florida homeowners comparing solar costs, incentives, and payback assumptions.
- Inputs needed
- annual kWh usage, utility rate, installed $/W, net-metering policy
- Formula used
- Typical production = system kW × peak sun hours × 365.
- Source checked
- state incentive data, utility tariff checks, Wattcrunch price benchmarks
Key fact about Florida solar
Florida has excellent solar resources and full retail net metering — but rates are among the lowest in the US, which extends payback vs high-rate states.
Peak sun hours
5.5
hrs/day avg
Avg electricity rate
12.0¢
per kWh
Median install cost
$2.8/W
before incentives
Typical payback
9 yrs
8 kW system, avg usage
Typical 8 kW system in Florida
Annual production
16,060 kWh
Year-1 savings
$1,927
System cost (est.)
$22,400
No federal tax credit — Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Florida Net Metering Policy
Full retail net metering
Florida requires full retail net metering through 2029 under SB 1024. After 2029, utilities may adjust compensation. Current policy is excellent — exported kWh is worth the same as imported kWh.
Florida Solar Incentives
Available in addition to any utility rebates. Federal 25D credit is $0 for homeowner-owned systems from 2026.
- ✓Sales tax exemption on solar equipment (6%)
- ✓Property tax exemption on added home value
- ✓FPL and Duke Energy rebates for some customers
Top Utilities in Florida
Interconnection timeline: 3–8 weeks
State-specific decision guide
What to verify before signing a Florida solar quote
In Florida, the financial result depends on more than sunshine or the headline installation price. Confirm the export rule, program eligibility date, and interconnection timeline for your exact utility before treating a payback estimate as a promise.
Export value
This page models full retail net metering. Ask which tariff and export credit apply to your account, not only which program name appears in the proposal.
Incentive eligibility
Check equipment, income, installer, application, and placed-in-service rules before subtracting an incentive from the quote. Programs can close or change terms.
Interconnection
Budget for the published 3–8 weeks and confirm who pays for a required meter, service upgrade, or engineering review.
Source trail: production assumptions use NREL PVWatts; incentive discovery should be checked against DSIRE; electricity-market context is available from the EIA. Confirm final tax treatment with the IRS and your utility.
Calculate your Florida solar economics
Our calculators are pre-filled with Florida data. Run any tool below.