| Peak sun hours per day | 5.0 – 5.7 |
|---|---|
| Annual kWh per kW installed | 1,400 – 1,600 |
| Typical system size | 8 – 12 kW |
| Electricity rates | Around the national average, with heavy year-round cooling load |
| Export credit regime | Full retail net metering (investor-owned utilities) |
How Florida credits the power you export
Florida has required investor-owned utilities to offer net metering that
credits exports at the retail rate, which is among the more generous arrangements
still in place. Attempts to reduce it have been made and defeated, so it is worth
confirming the current position rather than assuming permanence.
Municipal utilities and co-ops set their own terms and are not bound by the same
rules, so two neighbouring homes served by different utilities can face quite
different economics.
The general mechanics are in net metering explained; this is how they land in Florida.
What a system costs here
Florida pricing sits broadly within the national band of $2.50–$3.50 per watt before incentives, so a typical 8 – 12 kW system lands somewhere around $20,000–$42,000 before credits. Local labour rates, permitting fees and whether you need an electrical panel upgrade move that more than the panel brand does. Full breakdown in what solar panels cost.
Incentives that stack in Florida
| Layer | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | Solar equipment has been exempt from state sales tax — a straightforward several-percent saving off the system price. |
| Property tax | The added home value from a residential renewable system has been excluded from property tax assessment. |
| No state income tax | So no state credit — the federal position is the whole tax story. |
When solar is a poor fit in Florida
- Hurricane exposure means mounting standards and wind ratings matter more here than almost anywhere. Check the engineering, not just the price.
- Permitting timelines vary widely between counties and can add months.
- If your roof is older, Florida's roofing costs and insurance rules make re-roofing first an even stronger recommendation than usual.
The universal disqualifiers apply here too — renting, a roof near end of life, or moving within a few years. See roof age and solar and what happens when you sell.
Florida solar questions
Does Florida have net metering?
Investor-owned utilities have been required to offer retail-rate net metering. Municipal utilities and co-operatives set their own terms, so confirm what applies to the utility that actually bills you.
Do solar panels survive hurricanes?
Properly engineered and permitted systems are designed to the same wind loads as the roof they sit on, and Florida's codes are strict. The risk is not the panels themselves so much as installation quality — ask specifically about wind rating and attachment method.
Is solar worth it in Florida?
Sun is abundant and net metering has been favourable, which is a good combination. The variables that decide it for you are your utility, your roof's condition and how much you actually spend on cooling.
General information for Florida homeowners, not financial, tax or engineering advice. Figures are planning ranges; your own quote depends on your roof, your consumption and your utility.