Solar in Florida costs about $2.39 per watt, so a typical 8.52 kW system runs about $20,400 in cash before incentives. FPL rate increases are locked in through 2029, so every kilowatt-hour you make yourself gains value.
See what solar costs for your Florida home
Florida prices change with your county, roof and utility. Your ZIP code shows local prices and installers.
The form asks about your home first, then your contact details. EcoGen or its installer partners may contact you.
- Free, no-obligation quotesRequest quotes from local installers in minutes. You decide if you go ahead.
- Pre-screened installers onlyWe check every partner before they join and keep monitoring them after.
- Your details come lastFour quick questions about your home first. Name, email and phone only at the end.
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: a $25,000 system.
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.
What FPL’s rate settlement means for your payback
FPL’s four-year rate settlement took effect January 1. Consumer advocates estimate about $6.9 billion in extra charges on customer bills through 2029. Tampa Electric raised bills 6% the same month.
A purchased 8 kW system at about $20,000 (after the sales tax exemption) pays back in about 10 to 13 years at current rates and planned increases. After that come 12 to 15 more years of nearly free electricity under the panel warranty. A lease or PPA shortens the out-of-pocket payback but lowers long-term savings. See the full math in Are solar panels worth it in Florida?
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.
- Installers we keep checkingPartners are screened before they join and monitored after.
- No cost, no pressureComparing quotes is free, and you are never obliged to sign.
More Florida solar guides
Solar companies by city
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. Even with a system that offsets 100% of your electricity usage, expect a remaining bill of roughly $15–$30 per month.
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 (v2 method): Florida’s standardized installed price per watt, blended from current marketplace data and benchmarked against the national modeled cost. Payback figures use the EcoGen Solar Payback Methodology at a 4% yearly rate increase and 0.5% panel degradation over 25 years. System size and average cost come from the State Profile, built from EIA consumption data, the NREL production factor and the state residential rate. 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
