With enough capacity to power more than 1.1 million homes across the state, solar is becoming more popular in Florida. It is in fact so popular, that In 2021, Florida surpassed North Carolina to become third in the nation in total solar power generating capacity, after California and Texas. However, rooftop or residential solar energy systems account for just 1% of the solar energy created in the state meaning there’s a vast market for residential solar installations. To fill the gap, there are 211 solar installers companies in Florida.  

While residential solar installations are becoming more popular across the state, most homeowners aren’t familiar with all the aspects of solar energy systems or how to choose an installer. To help you make an informed decision, we wrote this blog article to help guide your decision. 

Before we go over our picks for the best national solar companies that service Florida we want to go over some important information to consider if you want to go solar. 

To start, what is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)? A PPA is an arrangement in which a third-party developer installs, owns, and operates an energy system on a customer’s property. The customer then purchases the system’s electric output for a predetermined period. Florida is one of the four states that does not allow power purchase agreements. 

Can you save money by going solar? We learned that Floridians pay around $174.59 for 1,096 kWh in energy bills per month. However, energy prices tend to increase year over year, with the average electricity rate in Florida increasing 19.2% from August 2021 to August 2022. However, the heat waves we are experiencing in 2023 could very well mean an unexpected spike in these rates. 

Solar panels let Florida homeowners save in two ways: on electricity costs and by earning utility bill credits from net metering. If you can virtually eliminate your monthly electricity bill, you could look at savings of over $2,095 per year.

Does Florida offer a solar tax credit? Florida does not have a state income tax, which means there are no local tax credits for solar power. However, the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit serves as a tax incentive within the United States to promote the adoption of solar energy by reducing tax liability. This credit enables individuals to declare 30% of the complete cost associated with solar equipment, including the labor, materials and installation expenses.

Understanding that specific requirements must be fulfilled to qualify for this credit is crucial. For instance, the ITC applies only to individuals who directly purchase their photovoltaic (PV) system, excluding those who choose to lease or finance it. Additionally, considering your income level is important since the financial benefits of the tax credit can vary. Individuals with higher incomes may receive limited or no benefits from the tax credit.

Can you run your home completely off-grid? Yes. Even large-sized homes can run completely off the power grid thanks to today’s advanced solar technology. Large solar energy systems require many solar panels, which can be housed on a roof or even on a ground-level platform (assuming there’s enough space).

Do I need to upgrade my home electrical panel? In many cases, you won’t need a home electric panel upgrade for solar. But there are also many cases where an electric panel upgrade is necessary, especially if you live in an older home or are considering expanding your photovoltaic (PV) system with battery storage or an EV charger.

Finally, how much does solar cost, and what is the best company to go with? After applying for the federal solar tax credit, the cost of solar in Florida averages between $13,000 and $23,300. 

While deciding which solar system is right for your home, you will want to take into account the size (kW) needed, the efficiency of the solar panels, the durability, and more. 

Here are a few of our picks for the best national solar companies that service Florida.

• Sunrun is America’s largest solar company, with about 13% of the residential solar market share, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. This company focuses on solar leases, which can provide a more affordable means of switching to solar. It should be noted that if you sign a solar lease you won’t own your solar system. Generally, you will save less money over time and you won’t qualify for solar tax credits or incentives.
• ADT Solar grew into one of the largest solar installers in the nation when it purchased Sunpro Solar in 2021. It operates across Florida, including in major cities like Destin, Gainesville, Jacksonville and Miami. This provider offers a range of solar options and backup batteries, including products from Enphase and Tesla. ADT Solar does not offer solar leases, so you’ll have to buy your system if you choose this company.

• Palmetto Solar is one of the 10 largest solar providers in the US, offering home solar systems that you can buy outright or through a lease. Most of Palmetto’s customers choose to buy their solar panels because owning the system provides the most savings over time.

• Momentum Solar has a smaller service area than the other providers on this list, but the company has established itself as a solid option in the 11 states where it operates. In Florida, Momentum Solar offers solar and battery storage installations. Customers can buy or lease their solar system with this provider.

Hopefully, this article helped guide your decision. There are numerous companies that offer different warranties and lease options, do your research and make an educated decision.

Close with Confidence! Close with Worldwide Title!