Florida solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

Last updated 05.27.22

Florida State 54 solar panels available

  • $2.07 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of May 2023
  • 8 years Average system payback period
  • $55 846 Average savings from going solar in Florida
  • 6 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
  • 6.43 kW Recommended system size
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Solar panels in Florida

Florida #11 in the US
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There are 20 fulfillment centers in Florida
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Jacksonville, FL4 items 767 mi
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Daytona Beach, FL4 items 838 mi
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Ocala, FL4 items 865 mi
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Orlando, FL4 items 893 mi
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Orlando, FL2 items 897 mi
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Orlando, FL4 items 904 mi
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Melbourne, FL4 items 918 mi
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Lakeland, FL4 items 948 mi
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Tampa, FL4 items 964 mi
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Tampa, FL7 items 965 mi
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Pinellas Park, FL4 items 979 mi
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Stuart, FL4 items 985 mi
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Sarasota, FL4 items 1010 mi
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West Palm Beach, FL4 items 1022 mi
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Belle Glade, FL4 items 1031 mi
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Port Charlotte, FL4 items 1031 mi
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Myers, FL4 items 1057 mi
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Pompano Beach, FL6 items 1059 mi
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Hollywood, FL4 items 1073 mi
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Miami, FL4 items 1093 mi
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What our happy customers say

I was in need of new solar panels and found A1 SolarStore while surfing the web. I ordered 13 pieces of REC 360W solar panels at a fairly reasonable price, and also ordered their liftgate service at checkout. everything was very easy and intuitive. I highly recommend A1 SolarStore!
Jesse Tang
Via Google
May 22, 2023
I recently purchased 10 pieces of Q CELLS 480W Solar Panels from A1 SolarStore. The site was incredibly easy to navigate and I found exactly what I wanted without any trouble. They had different payment options, which was great for me. Now I'm just counting down the days until my panels arrive. Overall, I will definitely be buying from them again.
Steve L
Via Google
May 22, 2023
Store was well organized, staff was super friendly and shipping was speedy.
Karen
Via Google
May 16, 2023
I have been looking for affordable, quality solar panels for a while! After some research I decided to purchase the Trina 390w solar panels. I loved the price and the customer service & decided to buy with a1solarstore. Even though there was a $275 shipping fee. Was worth it to me to receive the quality product in once piece. Payment processing took a while & could have gone faster - however, totally worth the wait!
Kara J
Via Google
May 9, 2023
The customer service at A1 solar is nothing short of amazing. A person can buy their equipment anywhere and receive that equipment with no support following whatsoever. A1 solar was with me all the way through the purchase process, the acquiring my panels at a distribution center, and finally giving me a discount for the pallet breakage charge because the pallet was already broken up. No other Solar company has given me such excellent customer service. Add that the prices are lower if not similar than the rest, buying from A1 solar is a real no brainer. I am very grateful and lucky to have found them!
Robert Sullivan
Via Google
Apr 27, 2023
The Silfab 490W Solar Panel (156 Cell SIL-490-HN) exceeded my expectations with its exceptional power output and sleek design. Its efficient monocrystalline cells make it a reliable and smart investment for any home. Highly recommended!
M
Via Google
Apr 25, 2023

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Solar laws, incentives and rebates in Florida you need to know

Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Save 6% of your solar equipment cost with Florida Sales Tax Exemption

Solar equipment constituting a PV system – solar panels, inverters, charge controllers, batteries and addons – is free from the 6% sales and use tax for Florida residents. Note that all the components, especially accessories, cannot be standalone: they must play an integral and vital role in the solar PV system as a whole. To qualify for the Florida solar tax exemption, you need to complete this form.

Freeze your property tax with Renewable Energy Source Exemption

A solar PV system installed in a home increases its value by about 4%, which would mean higher property taxes in other states, but not in Florida. According to the Florida Constitution, 100% of the real property value increase that occurs as a result of a solar PV system installation should be ignored.

Get a solar loan at 7% interest rate with Florida PACE Program

In 2010 Florida passed Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) legislation, according to which some localities can offer solar loans to homeowners at special interest rates. Currently, the following programs are in force: AllianceNRG program, Leon County Commercial PACE program, RenewPACE, and Ygrene Works, which offer both commercial and residential PACE financing. There is also Solar Energy Loan Fund (SELF) nonprofit organization, which provides unsecured personal loans for energy-efficient upgrades throughout Florida at 7.0-7.5% interest rate for up to 10 years.

Sell excess electricity with Net Metering Program

Florida Net Metering allows residential solar owners to put the excess electricity onto the utility grid instead of storing it with batteries. When you sell your solar power to the grid, you receive an electricity bill reduction according to the rate you currently pay for power. For every kWh you contribute to the grid, you get one kWh off of your next utility bill. Top utility net metering programs in Florida:

Protect your solar panels from shade with Solar Easements 

This incentive prevents your solar panels from overshadowing. Let’s say your neighbor grows some trees which cast a shadow over your PV installation, reducing its power output. In Florida you can get a solar easement from your neighbor to ensure they cut or trim their trees once they grow over a certain height. All solar easements are voluntary and tied to the property: if your neighbor sells their home, the original easement agreement will still be in force.

Install your solar panels in Florida with no worries

It is legal to install solar panels on your house. Florida law states that nobody, including homeowner associations, can prohibit it. If your HOA imposes any restrictions, they must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and applied for all association members. Those restrictions must not affect the performance or increase the cost of a solar system.

Something you should remember:

  • You don't need to get any approval from your HOA to install a solar system in Florida.
  • HOAs are legally allowed to instruct you where and how to install PV modules. For example, they can direct your system to be installed on the southwest side of your roof instead of the southeast side.
  • Your homeowner association might also come to inspect the installation process to make sure you make the most of the solar panels.
  • There may be height restrictions in some places in Florida that forbid solar system installation. For example, tall buildings near airports will have different installation laws when it comes to using solar panels.
  • Any requirements forcing you to hide the system from view will generally violate the law.

Solar panels help Floridians survive hurricanes

Florida is one of the most hurricane-prone states in the US. Severe storms bring damage and devastation, cutting people off the utility grid for days. Since solar panels are able to withstand most hurricanes, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services included in the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction specific provisions to facilitate the use of cost-effective solar energy technologies as emergency remedial and preventive measures for providing electric power, street lighting, and water heating service in the event of electric power outages. 

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