Residential solar in Florida.
Year-round sun, AC-heavy bills, and full retail net metering still preserved. The non-negotiable: hurricane wind ratings on panels and racking. Don't sign a contract that doesn't specify them.
Florida has the right combination for solar economics: high AC-driven demand, year-round production, full retail net metering. Florida solar legislation has shifted in recent years but current rules remain favorable for residential installs. Hurricane wind ratings are the part most homeowners forget to verify.
What's specific to Florida
Full retail net metering preserved. FPL, Duke Energy Florida, and TECO credit excess solar exports at the full retail rate. Legislative attempts to roll this back have failed so far; current rules favor residential solar.
Hurricane wind ratings. Florida building code requires panels and racking systems to meet specific wind-uplift standards (typically 160+ mph in coastal zones, varying by county). Always verify your installer is using equipment rated for your zone — it's the single most important spec for a Florida install.
Federal ITC, no state income tax credit. 30% federal ITC. Florida has no state income tax (so no state credit), but has both a sales tax exemption and a property tax exemption on solar.
Insurance considerations. Some FL homeowners report increased insurance premiums after solar install. Check with your insurer before signing — and confirm the installer's general liability and worker's comp coverage.
What we'd suggest
For a typical Florida premium-suburb household: 8–12 kW of panels with hurricane-rated racking. List price $20,000–35,000. After 30% federal ITC, net roughly $14,000–24,500. Battery is optional in FL — net metering still works at retail rate. Add battery if outage backup matters to you (hurricane season makes a stronger case here than in most states).
Vetted installers in Florida
Sunshine Coast Solar
Peninsula Solar Co.
Where solar is harder in Florida
- Tile and barrel-tile roofs. Common in Miami, Naples, Coral Gables. Specialized installer needed; not all installers will work on tile.
- Tree-canopy-heavy properties in older South FL neighborhoods. Solar wants unobstructed exposure.
- Coastal salt-air corrosion zones. Equipment near the coast needs marine-grade racking. Verify with your installer.
- HOAs. Florida has solar rights legislation that protects most installs, but South Florida master-planned communities sometimes restrict roof-facing systems.
- Renters and seasonal residents. Same as everywhere — solar requires property ownership and you need to be there to use the production.