Solar in Florida costs about $2.46 per watt, the lowest price in the country, so the typical 11.09 kW system runs about $27,300 in cash before incentives. FPL rate increases are locked in through 2029, so every kilowatt-hour you make yourself gains value.
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What solar costs in Florida right now
Most Florida installs cost $2.20 to $2.80 per watt. A standard 8 to 10 kW system, enough for most of an average Florida home, lands at $18,000 to $28,000 before incentives. For the national picture, see solar panel costs across the country.
Florida sun means a smaller systemFlorida gets 5.5 to 6.0 peak sun hours a day, among the highest in the country. You need fewer panels than in Massachusetts or New York to make the same power in a year.
Hurricanes, tile roofs and insurers: why Florida quotes differ
Equipment is only part of the price. In Florida, wind rules, roofs and insurers shape a quote just as much, and fast permits pull the other way.
+What adds cost here
- Hurricane-rated rackingThe Florida Building Code requires racking that meets ASCE 7 wind standards. In Miami-Dade and Broward it must also pass TAS 100 testing and carry Florida Product Approval or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance.
Costs more than standard racking - Tile roofsTile is common in Florida. It needs special mounts and more labor, and some tiles may need replacing during the install.
+$1,000 to $3,000 - An older roofInsurers increasingly want a roof under 15 years old before they cover a solar install.
$10,000 to $25,000 if a new roof comes first - HeatInverters and mounts must be rated for long heat exposure. This shapes the equipment choice more than the headline price.
−What lowers cost here
- Five-day permits (HB 683)Since July 1, 2025, local governments have five business days to approve a home solar permit, or it is approved automatically. Private and virtual inspections cut weeks off the project.
Lower soft costs - Strong sunHigh sun means each panel makes more power than in most northern states, so a smaller system can cover the same use.
Smaller system, lower total
The federal credit is gone. Florida’s tax breaks are not.
The 30% federal credit is gone for systems you buyThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended the Section 25D credit for systems installed after December 31, 2025. A lease or PPA is the exception: the company that owns the system can still claim the 30% Section 48E credit through 2027, and may pass part of it on to you.
The home value solar adds is 100% exempt from property tax, for the life of the system. Example: if solar adds $25,000 to your assessed value, Florida’s average tax rate of about 17 mills ($17 per $1,000) means about $425 a year you do not pay; about $220 to $570 depending on your county.
Florida Statute 193.624No 6% sales tax on solar equipment: about $1,320 on a $22,000 system. It is automatic, so check that your quote shows it.
FPL, Duke Energy and Tampa Electric credit extra power at the full retail rate. Unused credits roll over each month and cash out at year end at a lower rate, typically 3 to 4¢/kWh.
FPL net metering guidelinesSee every program in our complete guide to Florida solar incentives.
The Tier 2 trap: stay at 10 kW AC or less
Florida’s net metering rules split systems into two tiers. The line sits at 10 kW AC, about 11,764 watts DC.
Tier 1: no application fee, no insurance requirement, and a simpler hookup.
Tier 2: a $400 application fee, plus $1 million personal liability insurance for the life of the system. Without an umbrella policy that is $200 to $500 a year.
Ask for a Tier 1 designA good installer designs just under the limit when your use allows. If you need a bigger system, add the insurance cost to your payback math.
A smaller FPL home: about 15.6 years
This example is an 8 kW system costing $20,000 for a home using 1,000 kWh a month (12,000 kWh/year). Expected solar output is about 12,440 kWh/year. If the home nets to roughly zero, FPL’s $30 monthly minimum still applies: about $30.80 with the modeled taxes, or $370/year. Local taxes and fees can vary.
The October 2026 reference bill is $136.64/month, or $1,639.68/year. Subtract about $370 of remaining bills and add about $13 of year-end surplus credit: roughly $1,283/year of bill savings. $20,000 ÷ $1,283 = 15.6 years. The $13 is a payment to the homeowner, not an extra bill charge. This flat first-year bill-savings example excludes O&M and financing; it is separate from the Worth It examples including owner costs.
The larger Florida reference uses different inputs
The September Index’s median Florida installation is 11.09 kW, based on 4,704 installations in 2025, costing $27,281. At 17,212 kWh/year and the 15.39¢ statewide average, a full-value offset illustration gives about $2,649/year and 10.3-year simple payback before owner costs. Subtracting $30/kW-year O&M ($332.70) gives about 11.8 years. This explains the roughly 10–12-year reference: it uses a larger system and the statewide average, not the smaller FPL home’s own bill and minimum. It assumes nearly all production offsets purchases at full value; unused annual surplus has a different value.
The 30% federal residential credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. As a historical comparison only, a $6,000 credit would reduce this same $20,000 FPL example to $14,000 and about 10.9 years, roughly 11 years. That credit is unavailable for a system installed in 2026.
Sources: FPL RS-1, Sheet 8.201, effective January 1, 2026; FPL October 2026 bill reference; IRS residential credit end date. The net-zero production and small surplus-payment assumptions were confirmed in Trevor’s supplied response.
See whether solar is worth it in Florida for the separate worked scenarios including O&M.
When solar doesn’t pay in Florida
Not every Florida home is a good fit. Think twice if one of these is true:
- Your roof is over 15 years old and your insurer wants it replaced first. A $15,000+ roof changes the payback math.
- Heavy shade or a north-facing roof. Florida’s sun advantage disappears if the panels can’t see the sun.
- You’re on a municipal utility with weak net metering. JEA in Jacksonville pays only the fuel rate for extra power, far less than FPL’s full retail credit.
- Your system would land in Tier 2 and you can’t carry the insurance. A smaller Tier 1 system that covers part of your use may make more sense.
- You plan to sell within 2 to 3 years. If you finance, the resale premium may not cover the remaining loan.
How to pay for solar in Florida in 2026
Losing the 25D credit reshuffled the options. Here is how each one works in Florida now.
Pay cash
You own the system
Upfront
The full price, about $20,000 for 8 kW after the sales tax exemption.
Monthly
Nothing. Your whole bill saving is yours.
Federal credit
None for systems installed in 2026.
Watch out for
Without the 30% credit, the return takes longer to arrive.
The highest long-term savings.
Solar loan
You own the system
Upfront
Often $0 down.
Monthly
A loan payment. Check that it is lower than your current electric bill.
Federal credit
None, so there is no year-one lump sum to pay the loan down.
Watch out for
Watch the interest rate: the effective payment is higher than it was with the credit.
Ownership without cash, if the payment beats your bill.
Lease or PPA
The provider owns the system
Upfront
$0.
Monthly
A fixed lease fee, or a price per kWh (PPA), often below your current bill.
Federal credit
The owner claims the 30% Section 48E credit through 2027 and may pass part of it to you.
Watch out for
Annual escalator clauses, and transfer terms when you sell.
The only way to benefit from the federal credit in 2026.
Be careful with “free solar” offersSome target retirees. If a deal sounds too good to question, read the contract closely. Legitimate leases and PPAs have clear terms, escalator clauses and transfer rules. How “free” solar works in Florida.
Five questions for a Florida installer
Florida has its own rules. Any experienced Florida installer answers these right away.
- Are you licensed as a Certified Solar Contractor (CVC) or Electrical Contractor (EC) in Florida?
- Can you give me the Florida Product Approval numbers for your racking?
- Is the racking TAS 100 wind-tested for my county’s wind zone?
- Will you design my system to stay in Tier 1 if my use allows it?
- Will you use HB 683’s fast-track permitting?
See what separates a good installer from a liability in our guide to the top solar companies in Florida.
See what solar saves you against FPL’s rising rates
FPL’s rate increases are locked in through 2029. Your electricity costs don’t have to be. Enter your ZIP code to compare solar with staying on the grid.
- Quotes built for your roofEach quote is designed around your home and your bills.
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More Florida solar guides
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Frequently asked questions
How much are solar panels in Florida?
In 2026, most homeowners pay between $18,000 and $28,000 for a typical residential system, depending on system size, equipment, and installation complexity. Smaller systems can cost less, while larger homes with higher energy use may see higher totals.
What is the average cost of solar in Florida?
The average cost of solar in Florida currently ranges from about $2.20 to $2.80 per watt installed, or roughly $18,000 to $28,000 for an average home. Final pricing depends on roof type, system size, and installer.
Can I still get the 30% federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated the Section 25D residential credit for systems installed after December 31, 2025. If you purchase solar with cash or a loan in 2026, there is no federal credit available. However, if you go solar through a lease or PPA, the system owner can claim the Section 48E commercial credit (active through 2027) and may pass some savings to you.
Will solar eliminate my FPL bill entirely?
Not completely. FPL charges a monthly minimum that includes a base service charge and fuel-related surcharges. On FPL, expect to pay at least $30 a month even if solar covers all your use. That is FPL’s minimum bill.
Do I need $1 million in insurance to go solar?
Only if your system exceeds 10 kW AC (about 11,764 watts DC), which puts you in Tier 2 under Florida’s net metering rules. Tier 1 systems have no insurance requirement and no application fee. A good installer can often design your system to stay just under this threshold.
Does a tile roof make solar more expensive?
Yes. Concrete and clay tile roofs require specialized mounting hardware and additional labor, typically adding $1,000 to $3,000+ to the project. Tiles are also fragile and may need partial replacement during installation.
What happens to solar panels during a hurricane?
Panels installed by licensed Florida contractors must meet Florida Building Code wind speed requirements (ASCE 7 standards). In High-Velocity Hurricane Zones like Miami-Dade and Broward, racking must pass TAS 100 wind-resistance testing. Properly installed systems are engineered to withstand the wind loads specified for your county.
How we calculate these costs
Cost figures use the EcoGen Solar Cost Index (September 2026 Edition): Florida’s installed price per watt, built from the Department of Energy’s cost benchmark adjusted for local labor wages, run through our cost model, calibrated against current marketplace quotes and checked against installed prices from Berkeley Lab. Payback is a best-case simple payback: the typical cost divided by one year of savings, with every kWh valued at the 15.39¢ state average (EIA, August 2025 to July 2026). The typical system size is Berkeley Lab’s 2025 median for Florida single-family installs (4,704 systems); the typical cost is that size times the price per watt. Real quotes vary by roof, equipment and installer.
Sources (4)
- FPL, 2026 Rate Agreement (PSC approved Nov 2025): newsroom.fpl.com
- FPL, Net Metering Guidelines: fpl.com
- Florida Statute 193.624, Renewable Energy Source Device Property Tax Exemption: leg.state.fl.us
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Florida State Energy Profile: eia.gov
