With a nickname like Sunshine State, it’s no wonder Florida has more than 700 solar companies, and that the state ranked 5th nationally for solar electric capacity installed in 2019. As technology improves, the cost of moving to solar power has been declining, and a variety of incentives and tax credits are helping to drive solar’s popularity in Florida. Find information for solar energy in Florida, including solar panel installers, research resources, and state electricity costs.
Florida’s Solar
Report Card
To determine a grade for each state, our researchers and solar experts analyzed data on crucial solar-advancement criteria from the following sources:
- Rebates, Tax Credits, and Tax Exemptions from Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency;
- Electricity Rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration;
- Renewable Energy Policy from NC Clean Energy Technology Center;
- Interconnection Ease from Freeing The Grid;
- Photovoltaic Potential from the Energy Department
We determined a rank from 1 to 10 for each state in each category. We then combined the scores with the following weights and assigned an overall grade for each state. Our goal is to encourage those considering solar for their homes to get a basic understanding of solar potential in their areas and discover the best opportunities for clean energy available.
Incentives & Rebates, 40%
Electricity Rate, 15%
Renewable Energy Policy, 30%
Interconnection Ease, 5%
Photovoltaic Potential, 10%
Florida Electricity Costs at a Glance
Residents are beginning to see the benefits of solar: currently, the state generates enough solar energy to power 411,269 homes, and the state ranks 2nd for projected capacity installed with 5.5 GW expected over the next five years. Although renewable energy sources still account for a small fraction of Florida’s electric power, that number is likely to rise as electricity costs increase.
Cost of Residential Electricity
Data from U.S. Energy Information Administration
*as of Q3 2015
Florida Breakdown:
Polices, Incentives, Credits
Florida Solar Policies & Incentives
With its reputation for sunny skies and clear days, Florida has some of the best climatic conditions in the nation for going solar. To take advantage, the state government has instituted a number of incentives and solar policies to benefit the economy and residents’ pocketbooks. Individual consumers can apply for personal tax credits and rebates, and businesses can take advantage of financing and corporate tax deductions. In addition, the state utility commission has ensured that solar customers receive credit for producing power that exceeds their usage.
REBATES/INCENTIVES
Financial assistance is available for residential and commercial property owners seeking to improve their properties by adding renewable resources, including solar photovoltaic installations. Applicants must be the property’s legal owner and current on any mortgage. Loans are limited to 10 percent of the value of the property.
Owner-occupied residences in Longwood are eligible for rebates of up to $500 per year for making energy efficiency improvements to their properties, including installing solar photovoltaics. Applicants must use local contractors and suppliers.
Orlando Utilities Commission Solar PV Systems Battery IncentiveFor a limited time only, the OUC is offering residential electrical solar PV customers a rebate of $2,000 for a solar battery.
City of Tallahassee Utilities Solar LoansOwners of photovoltaic systems may be eligible for loans up to $20,000 with an interest rate of 5 percent. Loan payments are made via monthly utility bills. An energy audit is required for all installations.
St. Lucie County – Solar and Energy Loan FundThe nonprofit Solar and Energy Loan Fund offers low-interest loans for solar photovoltaic systems added as energy efficiency upgrades. Loans must be paid back within 15 years.
None for commercial specifically
POLICIES
Florida’s investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives are required to offer a net metering program to their customers. Investor-owned utilities have specific standards where net excess generation is carried forward as a credit on the customer’s utility bill. Specific net metering standards are not set for municipal utilities or electric cooperatives.
Renewable Energy Easements and Rights LawsFlorida law prohibits the prevention of the installation of solar collectors, including on residential rooftops. Easements, created to maintain exposure of a solar energy installation to sunlight, must be in writing and recorded as any other legal document relating to the property.
None for residential specifically
None for commercial specifically
TAX CREDITS
Florida has no state income tax, so no credits are applicable.
None
None for residential specifically
None for commercial specifically
EXEMPTIONS
Equipment and hardware needed to collect, transfer, convert or store solar energy for electricity are exempt from Florida’s sales and use tax. Purchasers can print out a form and present it to the seller, who is required to keep records of the exemption.
Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy PropertyResidential renewable energy property receives a 100 percent property tax exemption and an 80 percent property tax abatement for non-residential renewable energy property.
None for residential specifically
None for commercial specifically
Florida Solar Panel Installers, Companies & Contractors
Find out more about some of the companies that offer solar installation in Florida.
Brilliant Harvest offers residential and commercial solar system design, installation, financing, and monitoring.
Where it operatesSarasota, Bradenton, and Venice, FL
Year of opening2009
Compass Solar specializes in the design of photovoltaic solar systems and solar thermal applications.
Where it operatesPensacola, FL
Year of opening1998
The state’s first solar contractor offers various home solar options; its founder has been inducted into the International Solar Hall of Fame.
Where it operatesGainesville, FL
Year of opening1977
Florida Solar Design Group offers sales, installation, and consultation throughout the state, specializing in solar pools, solar electricity, and solar water heating.
Where it operatesFort Myers, FL
Year of opening2015
This family-owned business has more than 40 years experience, and installs solar PV systems throughout Southwest Florida.
Where it operatesCape Coral, FL
Year of opening1974
Florida Power Services designs, installs and maintains solar electric systems, handling large residential and small commercial projects.
Where it operatesTampa, FL
Year of opening2008
This family-owned company serves the entire state of Florida and focuses primarily on residential solar systems.
Where it operatesWinter Garden, FL
Year of opening2014
IQ Power offers maintenance-free solar applications with minimal roof penetrations.
Where it operatesSanford, FL
Year of opening2008
IGT offers solar PV assessment, installation and financing connections for residential, commercial, and government clients in the Tallahassee and North Florida areas. The company utilizes American products to help customers reduce or eliminate their electric bills. Additional products and services include solar hot water, solar storage, solar pool heating and pool pumps, and solar attic fans.
Where it operatesTallahassee, FL
Year of opening2008
Locally owned and operated, Kurt Johnsen installs solar arrays in Alachua County and its surrounding areas.
Where it operatesGainesville, FL
Year of opening1989
Peak Solar offers turnkey systems for residential, commercial and industrial properties and has served over 2,500 customers.
Where it operatesHillsboro Beach, FL
Year of opening2010
Pure Energy Solar provides solar installations in Florida, the Southeast and the Caribbean.
Where it operatesGainesville, FL
Year of opening2009
Simpler Solar offers solar installations ranging from small, standalone off-grid systems to advanced, commercial grid-tied systems.
Where it operatesTallahassee, FL
Year of opening1974
NABCEP-accredited Solar-Ray focuses on perfecting the design and installation of photovoltaic arrays. Building both residential and commercial systems, Solar-Ray has installed more than 15 MW of solar power.
Where it operatesOrlando, FL
Year of opening2003
Solar Source works on both residential and large-scale commercial solar projects.
Where it operatesLargo, FL
Year of opening1984
Superior Solar specializes in solar electric, solar water heating and solar pool heating for both homes and businesses.
Where it operatesOrlando, FL
Year of opening1984
Urban Solar provides a full range of solar installations for residential and business customers in South Florida.
Where it operatesBoca Raton, FL
Year of opening2001
Florida Solar Research Resources
Florida has a wide range of resources and information about renewable energy. Read more in the links below.
This coalition of residents, businesses, manufacturers and others is dedicated to creating jobs and economic benefits through renewable energy and public policy.
This site for Florida solar consumers provides news and information about solar energy use.
Created by the state government, this consortium is supported by 12 universities to perform research on innovative energy systems that provide alternative energy strategies for the state.
This website provides information about state-specific renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, and discusses how using renewable energy benefits the environment and wildlife conservation.
Find out more about the state’s solar policies and facts about the solar industry in Florida.
Use the data provided here to find out more about Florida’s overall energy use.