Florida
Florida Solar Incentives 2026 — Full Sales Tax Exemption & Net Metering
Florida provides one of the strongest solar sales tax exemptions in the country — 100% on solar equipment — plus a solid net metering law and full property tax exemption. Note: the federal 25D solar ITC expired Dec 31, 2025.
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Incentive categories
4
Program entries
15.1¢
Avg rate / kWh
17.0 yrs
Simple solar payback
$27,945
25-yr net solar savings
Excellent
Solar potential
Solar Incentives in Florida
Solar Sales Tax Exemption
100% (6% state tax)
Purchases of solar energy equipment are fully exempt from Florida sales tax.
Eligibility: All FL residents purchasing solar.
Solar Property Tax Exemption
100% of added value
Solar installations are exempt from property value reassessment for tax purposes.
Eligibility: All FL homeowners.
Net Metering
Retail-rate credits
FL utilities must offer net metering at retail rates to solar customers. Monthly credits carry forward.
Eligibility: FL utility customers with solar.
Heat Pump Incentives in Florida
Federal HEAR Framework (State Availability Varies)
Statutory household cap up to $14,000
Federal law sets measure and household caps, but consumers can use rebates only where the state or territory program is active and funded. A listed cap is not an available award.
Eligibility: Income, equipment, project, state-program, and funding rules apply; confirm availability with the administering state program before purchase.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $27,945
We are not affiliated with EnergySage and receive no commission or referral fee. The button opens an external site; review its terms and privacy policy.
Solar Policy & Local Utilities in Florida
Net Metering
Full retail net meteringFlorida maintains statewide retail-rate net metering for the major investor-owned utilities. A 2022 bill to phase it down was vetoed, so exported solar is still credited at roughly the full retail rate.
Source: Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) / DSIRE
Major Utilities
- Florida Power & Light (FPL)
- Duke Energy Florida
- Tampa Electric (TECO)
Florida Solar Facts
- Florida is consistently among the top three states for installed solar capacity. (SEIA)
- Residential solar equipment is exempt from Florida sales tax and from added property-tax assessment. (DSIRE)
Last verified: 2026-06. Always confirm current terms with your utility or at DSIRE.
Is Solar Worth It in Florida?
Solar is a strong investment in Florida. The Sunshine State's full 6% sales tax exemption removes the state sales tax from equipment cost, strong net metering protects bill credits, and abundant sunshine provides 5.3+ peak sun hours daily.
Nationally, EnergySage reports the average U.S. homeowner saves about $60,500 over 25 years by going solar, without the expired federal credit (page updated June 2026). Actual savings vary by state, electricity rate, export rules, and system size.
Key Advantage
Florida exempts solar equipment from state sales tax and the added home value from property tax, and its net metering rule lets on-site solar offset retail purchases.
Watch Out For
Electricity rates (15.10¢/kWh) are moderate for the South, which extends payback vs. high-rate states. Wind-load requirements can add to installation cost; ask installers to itemize them.
Solar Cost & Savings in Florida (8 kW System)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross install cost | $31,840 |
| Net install cost | $31,840 |
| Annual energy savings | $1,870 |
| Simple payback period | 17.0 years |
| 25-year net savings | $27,945 |
The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) is not available for expenditures after Dec 31, 2025 and is not included above. State and utility incentives may still apply and are listed separately.
* Planning example for an 8 kW system: $3.98/W installed (LBNL 2024 national median; no state-specific sample), 5.3 peak sun hrs/day, one 20% system derate, 0.5%/yr panel degradation from year two, and 15.1¢/kWh escalating 2.5%/yr. It assumes all production offsets electricity at the retail rate; actual self-consumption and export credits vary by utility tariff. Tax credits require eligibility and sufficient tax liability.
Get Free Solar Quotes for Your Home
Open the external EnergySage marketplace to request and compare itemized solar proposals.
Your estimated 25-year savings: $27,945
We are not affiliated with EnergySage and receive no commission or referral fee. The button opens an external site; review its terms and privacy policy.
How to Go Solar in Florida: Step-by-Step
- 1
Get your FPL / Duke / Utility bill for 12 months
Average Florida home uses 14,000–17,000 kWh/year due to heavy AC use. This is higher than most states, so systems are typically 10–13 kW.
- 2
Confirm sales tax exemption eligibility
Qualifying solar equipment is exempt from Florida's 6% state sales tax. Verify your quote shows the exemption applied.
- 3
Require hurricane-rated racking
Florida Building Code requires racking rated for local wind loads. Request Miami-Dade NOA approval or FL Product Approval documentation from your installer.
- 4
Enroll in net metering
Your installer handles utility interconnection, but confirm enrollment in the NEM program. Credits appear on your bill monthly.
- 5
File for property tax exemption
Apply to your county Property Appraiser for the solar property tax exemption. The solar system's added value is excluded from assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Solar & Clean Energy in Florida
Is solar worth it in Florida in 2026?
Yes. Florida eliminates both sales tax (6%) and property tax on solar, adding several thousand dollars in effective savings. With 5.3 peak sun hours and strong net metering, our planning model shows about 17.0 years to payback and $27,945 in 25-year net savings.
What solar incentives are available in Florida?
Florida offers: (1) 100% state sales tax exemption on solar equipment, (2) 100% property tax exemption on solar added home value, (3) Strong net metering at retail rates. Note: The federal 25D solar ITC expired Dec 31, 2025 — if installed in 2025, consult a tax professional.
Is net metering available in Florida?
Yes. Florida's net metering law requires utilities to credit excess solar at retail rates, and unused monthly credits roll forward. Annual settlement of remaining credits is at the utility's avoided cost.
Can Florida solar panels survive hurricanes?
Yes — modern solar installations are engineered to withstand 130+ mph winds (code-required in Florida). Racking systems are tested to Miami-Dade County hurricane standards. Choose installers who use IronRidge or similar wind-rated hardware.
Does Florida have net metering in 2026?
Florida net metering status: Full retail net metering. Florida maintains statewide retail-rate net metering for the major investor-owned utilities. A 2022 bill to phase it down was vetoed, so exported solar is still credited at roughly the full retail rate. (Source: Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) / DSIRE.)
Which utilities in Florida offer solar programs?
The main electric utilities in Florida are Florida Power & Light (FPL), Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric (TECO). Confirm current offers with your utility and check DSIRE.org for Florida programs.
Recommended Products for Florida
Product examples are provided for comparison only. Confirm electrical compatibility, installer requirements, warranty terms, and any current utility incentive before purchase.
Calculate Your Florida Savings
The Solar ROI link preselects Florida's planning inputs, including the listed electricity rate (15.1¢/kWh). Other tools open with their own defaults; review every input before calculating.
Browse Other States
Data Sources & Methodology
Incentive data: DSIRE, U.S. DOE Home Energy Rebates, IRS residential credit guidance, and linked state program pages. Electricity rates: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (June 2026). Solar resource: NREL PVWatts reference with state-level planning inputs, not an address-specific API result. Installed price: LBNL Tracking the Sun (Residential systems installed in 2024), a median rather than a quote. The 2.5% annual rate change is a model assumption, not a forecast. Sources and methodology reviewed 2026-09-06. Always verify current amounts with the administering agency and utility.