How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Florida

Sunlight is converted into electrical energy through solar technology. Mirrors or panels concentrate solar radiation which can be used to generate electricity. In fact, the amount of sunlight that hits the Earth’s surface in one and a half hours could handle the entire world’s energy consumption for one full year. Using solar panels is good for the environment and reduces energy costs. It’s especially appealing in Florida because of its year round sunshine and good weather. 

Now we know what solar panels do, let’s dive into how much do solar panels cost in Florida.  The average cost of solar panels and installation in Florida is $13,000. Your costs will vary based on a number of factors that we will discuss in this article.  

Highlights /Key Takeaways

• How much does it cost to go solar in Florida: Costs vary but the average cost for solar panels including installation is $13,000. 
• How are solar panel costs determined: The size of the roof, the amount of energy generated, the location, cost of labor, and materials used all factor into the total cost of solar panels. 
• What are some of the advantages of installing solar panels: Learn more about tax benefits, incentives, and helping the environment by choosing solar panels. 
• Learn more about how to pay for solar panels: There are other options besides spending your hard earned savings. Learn about personal loans, solar panel financing, and leasing. 

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Florida?

Florida gets an average of 237 sunny days each year. It’s the ideal climate for solar panels, so let’s dive into see how much does solar cost in Florida. Let’s get specific so you can see what you’re paying for and if going solar is the right move for you and your household. 

How Does the Current Cost of Solar in Florida Compare to the National Average?

The current cost of solar in Florida is about $1,000 cheaper than the national average. These numbers are based on a 9kw system. However, if you get a larger system such as a 15kw system, you may end up saving more than $10,000. The higher the kilowatts (kw) the more power. More kw are recommended for larger houses and the kw are generally based off the roof size. 

For example, a 9kw system is recommended for roofs up to about 1,350 square feet. Keep in mind that your solar panel company’s experts will recommend the correct kw for your home. 

Are Solar Panels in Florida Less Expensive Than Electricity Bills?

The costs of installing solar panels vary as do your electricity bill costs. This will vary based on the size of your home, the HVAC and electrical systems you have, if it’s updated, the size of your household, and your electricity usage and number of devices plugged in etc. Since there are so many variables, it’s hard to say exactly how much you will save with solar panels, but there is definitely a savings. 

If your FPL electric bill is currently around $100 per month, then you would need at least a 5.82 kw solar system to eliminate this bill. The system would cost around $15,074 before rebates and incentives. FPL (Florida Power and Light) serves more than half of the population in Florida. They do have a monthly bill minimum so you wouldn’t completely eliminate your electric bill, but you could drastically reduce it. 

How Are Solar Costs Trending in Florida? 

Solar costs overall, including in Florida, rose from 2020 to 2022 but decreased in the beginning of 2023. Supply and demand, rising labor and material costs, the pandemic, and the overall economy all affect prices. Solar costs aren’t expected to rise anymore during 2023. 

However, utility costs including electric bills have been increasing. Florida does generally see lower utility bills than other states because it’s generally warm all year round so heating isn’t required as often as more Northern states. However, utility bills have still been on the rise due to rising natural gas costs. People are also using more electricity as they work from home more than before and typically have more devices plugged in and consuming power. 

How Much Money Can You Save by Going Solar in Florida?

The amount of money you can save by going solar in Florida varies depending on a number of factors including how large your house is, its configuration, the size and style of roof, your location, the amount of sunlight your roof gets, labor costs, your electricity usage, and more. You may save anywhere from $75 per month to several hundred dollars per month adding upto thousands of dollars per year in savings. 

Is It Better to Buy or Lease Solar Panels in Florida?

Leasing vs buying solar panels: which is better? Well, this all depends on your individual situation. If you don’t have the upfront investment to purchase the solar panels, it may be better to lease them. You still get to save money on your electric bills and positively affect the environment, and you can often get the solar panels for little to no money down, but you don’t actually own the solar panels. Instead a third party owns them and leases them to you. Because you don’t own them, you won’t be able to take advantage of incentives, tax credits, or rebates. It also may be complicated if you want to sell your home and the buyer doesn’t want to take over the lease.  

However, if you buy the solar panels, you own them, you are eligible for tax credits, incentives, and possible rebates. But, you will need to have funds available to pay for them, or use a personal loan, or put down a downpayment, and finance the remaining amount. Once you pay them off, then you will own them free and clear and will be able to take advantage of more savings every month with lower utility bills and no finance or lease payments. It’s also simpler to sell a house when you own the panels instead of leasing them. 

What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Florida?

There are a number of factors that determine the cost of solar panels in Florida. The following are the most influential factors: 

Solar System Size

The size of your solar system will be based on your energy consumption and the size of your house and your roof. If you have a McMansion and use a lot of energy, then your solar system size will be much larger than someone who has a standard one story Florida style ranch home. 

Connection Type

If your photovoltaic panels are connected to the utility grid through a power inverter unit, then you have an on-grid system. This basically means that your solar panels are connected to your local electrical company’s power grid. These are referred to as Grid Connected PV systems and they use sunlight to generate power during the day and stay connected to the grid during the night to maintain power. 

The other type of connection is a standalone system which isn’t connected to the utility grid. It’s a self unit that is common in rural or remote areas. You may have heard of ‘off the grid’ living in places like Alaska; that means the home isn’t connected to any utility company’s grid so needs to be self-sufficient. 

Type of Solar Cells

There are typically three types of solar cells:

• Crystalline silicon cells: These are the most popular type of solar cells and are grown in laboratories over about a month. They need to be cut into the current shape which does create some material waste but they tend to be the most efficient cells. 
• Thin film solar cells: 100 times thinner than crystalline silicon cells, these cells are the cheapest to produce, and can be laminated onto skylights, roof tiles, and windows. However, they’re not as efficient as the crystalline silicon cells. 
• Third generation solar cells: These cells are actually the newest technology and they combine the best features and efficiency from both of the other types of cells. They’re also cheaper. 

Panel Brand & Quality

The brand of panel and quality affect the price. Just as with any brands and quality products, some are more expensive than others. Sometimes, you’re paying for the brand name and sometimes you’re actually paying for the quality. Research different products, read reviews, and compare products, warranties, and materials used. QCells, Panasonic, REC, and SunPower are all popular brands. 

Incentives & Federal Tax Credits

There are multiple incentives and tax credits to make solar panels more affordable and entice homeowners to choose this renewable energy source. Some of them include:

• Federal Solar Tax Credit
• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
• Florida Solar System Property Tax Exemption
• Home Solar System State Sales Tax Exemption

Roof Condition and Size

The size of your roof will play a role in deciding how many panels you will need which will of course help determine the cost of going solar. If you have a huge roof that has multiple levels, then it will be more expensive for you to go solar than your neighbor who has a 1,000 sq foot flat roof. Solar panels can’t be installed on a leaking or damaged roof, so you will need to get the roof repaired or replaced before installation happens. The solar panel company may be able to help fix your roof or recommend someone who can. 

Installation Company Costs

Installation companies vary in costs based on what current materials cost, their labor cost, and the supply and demand of their services. Shop around and get quotes from several reputable companies before deciding who will install your solar panels. Unfortunately, some areas of the country are just more expensive than others. For example, a solar panel installation cost in Miami will probably be more expensive than one in Jacksonville just due to overall associated costs in that area. 

Cost of Solar Permits

Typically you will need permits to have solar panels installed. The solar panel installation company will generally take care of the necessary permits. Permits vary by region, but generally include a building permit and a permit given by your local utility company. 

Type of Solar Financing Used

If you choose to finance your solar panels and installation, then you will be responsible for financing costs. There may be a downpayment required and then you may pay finance fees as well as interest. The amount of fees will depend on the amount of the loan, your overall financial profile including your credit score, and the length of the loan. 

Average Solar Panel Costs in Florida

Below are some answers to how much do solar panels cost in Florida. 

Average Solar Panel Cost in Florida by System Size 

These are average costs based on kw before any incentives:

3 kw: $7,800

5 kw: $13,000

7 kw: $18,200

9 kw: $23,400

10 kw: $26,000

Average Solar Panel Cost per Watt in Florida

$2.60 per watt is the average solar panel cost in Florida.

Average Cost to Run and Maintain Solar Panels in Florida

If you’re leasing solar panels, your maintenance costs are covered. However, if you own the solar panels or are financing them, then you’re responsible for maintaining them. They may need cleaning which you can do with a hose or hire a professional to do for around $150 to $250. Warranties generally cover the performance of solar panels from 10-25 years depending on the type of warranty and the size of system you purchased. 

However, if you have experienced extreme weather such as a hurricane which is pretty common in Florida, you may have a couple broken solar panels. Expect to pay upwards of $300 per panel to have them replaced. 

How to Calculate the Cost of Solar Panels for Your Florida Home

The answer to how much do solar panels cost in Florida vary greatly and you want to be able to figure out how much they’re going to cost in your own home. To determine this keep the following in mind:

• The size of your home
• The size and condition of your roof
• Your energy usage
• Your home’s location: You can also do a zip code check to see approximate solar installation costs in your area
• Contact a local solar company and get a quote based on your unique needs. 

Tips for Saving on the Cost of Solar Panels in Florida

Some tips for saving money on the cost of solar panels in Florida include:

• Research and shop around: Get quotes and compare them so you get the best deal and know what equipment you’re getting and being charged for
• Install during cooler weather: Most companies charge more to install solar panels during the hottest months which in Florida are usually June through September. 
• Net metering: The homeowner who has solar panels can earn credits from the extra energy that the solar panels generate and they don’t use. When your solar panels send extra energy to the grid, you’re basically getting a credit towards your energy bill. It’s like a barter system with your utility provider. 
• Leasing: This generally has cheaper upfront costs than financing but be sure to read all the fine print so you know how long the lease is for and what your approximate monthly costs will be.
• Be mindful: Turn off devices and unplug them when not in use. Turn up your A/C when you’re not home and use energy efficient appliances and light bulbs to save additional energy and money. 

Are Solar Panels Worth the Cost in Florida?

Florida solar panel costs are worth it. The pros outweigh the cons when it comes to deciding if it’s worth it to get solar panels. Let’s delve into some of the advantages of solar panels and why they’re worth installing. 

Pros of solar panels:

• Environmentally friendly: Lower carbon emissions
• Less expensive energy bills
• Financing, leasing, and personal loans make it more affordable 
• They pay for themselves over the years with energy savings
• Eligible for tax credits and incentives
• Added home value
• Low maintenance costs
• Less reliance on fossil fuels 

Now, let’s take a look at some of the negatives of installing solar panels. 

Cons of solar panels:

• You need to be a homeowner to qualify for credits and incentives
• You need to be a homeowner or get permission from landlord before installing solar panels
• If you don’t have good credit or the upfront costs saved up, it may be cost prohibitive, but you can check out loans for bad credit to see if you qualify.  

Best Solar Panel Financing Options in Florida

So, you’ve decided you want solar panels for your home, now you need to figure out how to pay for them. You can of course pay cash if you have the money, but the most common option is to finance the solar panels. 

Financing options for solar panels include:

• Leasing: Leasing the solar panels may be a more affordable option and can be a temporary option if you know you’re not going to live in the home that much longer. Usually, at the end of the lease, you can have the panels removed or a pay a discounted cost to purchase them and own them outright. 
• Financing from the solar panel company: Offered referred to as direct financing or manufacture financing; you may qualify to finance your solar panels and the installation cost with the company. Sometimes they offer low or no down payments and financing incentives. 
• Personal loans: Get a personal loan for solar panels from one of the top rated lenders including SoFi, Credible, or RocketLoans.  
• Home equity: You may be able to get a HELOC or home equity loan if you have enough equity in your home and meet other credit and income requirements. You can then use these funds to purchase solar panels. 
• Bank or credit union loan: Check out personal loans from your bank or credit union. You may get favorable rates and terms based on your banking relationship with them. 

Final Word

Now you know how much do solar panels cost in Florida, you want to find a reliable company to install them and start reaping the benefits. 

Florida is an ideal place to use solar panels to help power your home. Not only are they good for the planet but the cost of solar panels in Florida can be quite affordable and come with some great incentives. If you have questions about specific incentives and tax related credits regarding solar panels, it’s always best to consult with your accounting professional.