If you are a resident of the Sunshine State, Florida solar incentives can help lower your total installation costs and improve the long-term value of your renewable energy investment.
To make your residential solar energy system as cost-effective as possible, this article provides a comprehensive overview of Florida solar incentives for homeowners.
Exploring Florida solar incentives
Floridians may be eligible for several national and local solar incentives sponsored by federal and state governments, utilities, and other entities. Florida solar incentives are always subject to change and come in many different forms, including exemptions, rebates, and other programs designed to help homeowners reduce net project costs and increase solar ROI.
Tax exemptions for solar panels in Florida
Solar panels are exempt from both property and sales taxes in Florida. With a property tax exemption, the increased home value from solar will not increase your property taxes, so as not to penalize you for going green. Likewise, solar equipment and services have been exempt from sales tax in Florida since 1997, helping those all along the supply chain to keep costs low.
Local Florida solar rebates for clean energy systems
Beyond the programs available at state levels, you may be eligible for other solar incentives based on where you live in Florida—usually through an energy utility or local government office.
Where available, rebate programs can provide a direct reimbursement when you go solar. Although the state’s largest electric utility, Florida Power and Light, has no solar rebates available, several initiatives, like the Solar Energy Rebate Grant Program in Dunedin, Florida, reward homeowners for contributing to local sustainability goals.
The difference between Florida solar incentives and net metering
It’s important to separate Florida solar incentives from net metering, as net metering enables you to earn energy bill credits for the solar electricity you export to the grid. By state law, publicly-owned utilities like Florida Power and Light (FPL) and Duke Energy, are required to offer net metering to customers.
Florida solar incentive eligibility and application process
To qualify for most solar incentives and programs, your energy system will need to meet several technical specifications, with a professional solar installer almost always required to ensure local electrical, construction, and safety guidelines are met. Besides local regulations, incentive program eligibility and value can also be impacted by the size of your solar energy system, its components, or your household income level.
When determining your eligibility for a solar incentive, it’s recommended to contact a tax or financial professional to ensure you can qualify and maximize your benefits. Beyond Florida solar incentives for photovoltaic (PV) systems, Floridians may also qualify for incentive or rebate programs for thermal solar hot water systems.
Looking ahead and getting started
The future of Florida solar incentives looks promising, as laws that compromised the value of net metering were vetoed in 2021 and 2022, keeping things sunny for homeowners in the Sunshine State. Since then, solar in Florida has continued to boom, leading the country in growth with a 28% installed capacity increase year-over-year in 2023.
As incentives and rebates are available to make solar power more accessible and affordable for Florida residents, it’s important to talk to your installer and consult a tax professional before making your final investment decisions.
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Florida solar incentive FAQs
In Florida, you may be eligible for several financing options for a residential solar installation through local companies, banks, and credit unions. While many solar installers offer in-house financing options or partnerships, you’re also welcome to explore loans and programs with third-party providers. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for Florida PACE financing for energy-efficacy improvements sponsored by local cities and counties.
Solar incentives can vary by location within Florida, particularly when it comes to rebates or utility-sponsored programs. While Florida homeowners benefit statewide from property and sales tax exemptions on solar equipment, additional incentives may be available through local utilities, city or county programs, or private initiatives, depending on where you live.
Note: This article has been written for educational purposes and is not explicit financial or tax advice.
