Florida Solar Panels

Florida Statute § 193.624 provides a 100% property tax exemption for residential solar energy systems. When you install solar panels, your home’s assessed value typically increases by 4–5%, but that added value is completely excluded from your property tax calculations — meaning you pay no additional property taxes as a result of going solar. Non-residential (commercial) properties receive an 80% tax abatement on the added value of their renewable energy systems.

This exemption is authorized through December 31, 2037, giving homeowners more than a decade of guaranteed savings. The Florida Legislature would need to act before that date to extend or make the exemption permanent. No application is required for most homeowners — the exemption is applied automatically through your county property appraiser’s office.

This incentive applies to both solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and accompanying battery storage devices, making it one of the most straightforward and valuable long-term benefits available to Florida solar owners.

Florida law exempts solar photovoltaic equipment from the state’s 6% sales and use tax. This exemption covers panels, inverters, racking equipment, solar batteries, and installation costs — essentially everything included in a standard solar installation. On an average Florida system priced around $34,960 before other incentives, this exemption saves homeowners approximately $2,097 upfront.

The exemption applies to any component certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) as a qualifying solar energy component. It is applied automatically at the point of sale by your solar installer — you do not need to file any paperwork or submit a separate application to claim this benefit.

This exemption applies to both residential and commercial properties and is considered a permanent part of Florida tax law (Florida Department of Revenue Tax Information Publication 19A01-09). It is one of the simplest and most immediate financial benefits available to Florida solar buyers.

Florida law requires all investor-owned utilities (IOUs) — including Florida Power & Light (FPL), Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Company (TECO), and Florida Public Utilities — to offer net metering at the full retail rate. For every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of excess solar electricity you send to the grid, you receive a one-to-one credit on your utility bill at the same rate you pay for electricity. Credits roll over month to month and any remaining balance at year-end is paid out as a cash credit in January.

Important Policy Change: Florida’s net metering rates are scheduled to decline in coming years. Customers approved in 2024–2025 receive 75% of the retail rate for exported energy. In 2026, that rate drops to 60%, and by 2027–2028 it falls to 50%. Homeowners who interconnect sooner may be able to lock in more favorable rates, though you should confirm current grandfathering rules with your specific utility.

Residential systems are generally limited to no more than 115% of your historical annual electricity usage. Clay Electric Cooperative offers full retail rate net metering with indefinite credit carryover for its members. Community solar alternatives — such as FPL’s SolarTogether and Duke Energy’s Clean Energy Connection — are available for customers who cannot install rooftop solar. Contact the Florida Public Service Commission or your utility for the most current program details.

The Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) offers one of Florida’s largest battery storage rebates, providing $4,000 to qualifying residential customers who install an eligible battery energy storage system. To qualify, the battery must have a minimum capacity of 6 kWh and come with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

This rebate is available to JEA customers in the Jacksonville area and is designed to encourage adoption of battery storage alongside solar installations. Battery storage allows homeowners to store excess solar energy for use during outages or peak rate periods, adding resilience and energy independence to a solar system.

Homeowners should contact JEA directly to confirm current program availability, eligibility requirements, and application procedures, as rebate programs can change or reach funding limits. Visit the JEA website for the most up-to-date information.

The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) offers a residential rebate of up to $2,000 for customers who install a qualifying battery energy storage system. This incentive is part of OUC’s broader Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program and is intended to help Orlando-area homeowners offset the upfront cost of adding battery storage to their solar installations.

Battery storage systems allow homeowners to store surplus solar energy generated during the day and use it during evening hours or grid outages, maximizing the value of a rooftop solar system. Pairing a battery with solar panels can provide meaningful backup power during Florida’s frequent storm-related outages.

Homeowners should contact OUC directly to verify current program status, eligibility requirements, and application steps, as rebate availability and funding levels can change. Visit the OUC website for the latest details.

Lakeland Electric offers a battery storage rebate to its solar customers equal to 50% of the installed cost of an energy storage system, capped at $1,000. This incentive is designed to make battery storage more affordable for Lakeland Electric customers who already have or are installing a solar PV system.

Adding battery storage to a solar installation allows homeowners to store excess energy produced during the day and use it at night or during power outages — a particularly valuable feature in Florida, where severe weather can cause grid disruptions. The 50% rebate helps reduce the payback period for battery storage investments.

Customers should contact Lakeland Electric directly to confirm current program availability, qualifying battery models, and the application process. Program details and funding availability may change, so it is best to verify before purchasing.

The City of Boynton Beach offers the Energy Edge Rebate Program, which provides residential solar customers with a rebate of up to $1,500 for installing a qualifying rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system. To be eligible, the system must be at least 5 kW in size, use panels with an efficiency rating above 17.5%, and be installed by a certified solar contractor.

This local rebate is stackable with state-level incentives such as Florida’s property tax and sales tax exemptions, helping Boynton Beach homeowners further reduce the net cost of going solar. Expedited permitting may also be available through the city for qualifying solar installations, which can reduce installation timelines and soft costs.

Homeowners should contact the City of Boynton Beach directly to confirm current program availability, funding status, and application requirements, as local rebate programs can change or exhaust their budgets. Check the City of Boynton Beach’s official website for the most current information.

The City of Dunedin offers a Solar Energy Rebate Grant Program that provides residential homeowners with a cash-back incentive of $0.25 per watt of solar capacity installed, up to a maximum of $2,500 — whichever is lower. For example, a 10 kW system would earn the full $2,500 maximum grant.

This per-watt structure rewards homeowners for the size of their solar installation and helps offset the upfront cost of going solar in Dunedin. The grant can be combined with Florida’s statewide property tax and sales tax exemptions to further reduce the total cost of a solar system.

Homeowners interested in this program should contact the City of Dunedin directly to confirm current program availability, eligibility requirements, and how to apply. Local grant programs are subject to funding availability and may change from year to year.

The City of Tallahassee Utilities offers a solar loan program that provides residential customers with financing of up to $20,000 at a fixed 5% interest rate for solar photovoltaic (PV) system installations. Loan terms range from 5 to 10 years, and repayments are made directly through your monthly utility bill, making the process simple and convenient.

This program is designed to help Tallahassee homeowners go solar without needing to secure traditional bank financing or pay a large sum upfront. Because the loan is tied to your utility account rather than your personal credit in the traditional sense, it can be an accessible option for many homeowners. The program also covers solar pool heating and solar water heating systems.

Homeowners should contact Tallahassee Utilities directly to confirm current loan availability, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. Visit the City of Tallahassee Utilities website for the most up-to-date program details.

Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC) offers its members access to loans of up to $35,000 to finance the installation of grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems or battery storage systems. This financing option is designed to make solar and storage more accessible to cooperative members in the Florida Keys, where energy costs and storm resilience are particularly important considerations.

As a member-owned cooperative, FKEC’s loan program is tailored to the needs of its local customer base. Battery storage is especially valuable in the Keys, where grid outages from tropical storms and hurricanes can be prolonged and disruptive. Pairing solar with battery storage provides both energy savings and critical backup power capability.

Eligible members should contact Florida Keys Electric Cooperative directly to learn about current loan terms, interest rates, eligibility requirements, and the application process. Program details are subject to change, so verify the latest information with FKEC before proceeding.

Duke Energy Florida’s Clean Energy Connection is a community solar program that allows customers who cannot or do not want to install rooftop solar to benefit from solar energy. Participants subscribe to a share of solar energy produced by Duke Energy’s solar plants across Florida and receive bill credits based on the energy generated by their subscribed share.

The program includes a dedicated 26-megawatt (MW) allocation for low-income customers who participate in government assistance programs or Duke Energy’s Neighborhood Energy Saver program, making community solar accessible to a broader range of households. This is a particularly valuable option for renters, condo owners, or homeowners with shaded or unsuitable rooftops.

Customers interested in subscribing should visit the Duke Energy Florida website to check current availability, as community solar programs can reach subscription capacity. Contact Duke Energy Florida directly for enrollment details, pricing, and to confirm the program is accepting new subscribers in your area.

Florida Power & Light’s SolarTogether program is a community solar option for FPL customers who are unable to install rooftop solar panels — such as renters, condo residents, or homeowners with unsuitable roofs. Participants subscribe to a portion of a shared solar facility and receive credits on their monthly utility bill based on the retail rate value of the solar energy their share generates.

SolarTogether is designed to make the financial and environmental benefits of solar accessible to all FPL customers, regardless of whether they own their home or have a suitable roof for panels. The program has historically been popular and may have a waitlist, so prospective subscribers should check current availability directly with FPL.

Visit the FPL website to learn about current subscription availability, pricing, and how bill credits are calculated. Note that program terms and availability can change, and FPL has indicated the program has been fully subscribed at times, so early inquiry is recommended.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is available in many Florida counties and municipalities, allowing homeowners to fund solar panel and battery storage installations with little to no money down. Unlike traditional loans, PACE financing is attached to the property rather than the individual borrower, meaning repayment is made through an assessment added to your annual property tax bill at a fixed interest rate over a term of 10 to 20 years.

Because PACE is tied to the property, it can be an accessible option for homeowners who may not qualify for traditional solar loans. If you sell your home, the PACE assessment typically transfers to the new owner along with the property. This can be a selling point if the solar system adds value to the home, but buyers and lenders should be made aware of the assessment before closing.

PACE program availability varies by county and city in Florida. Homeowners should check with their local government or a PACE provider to determine eligibility, available terms, and interest rates in their area. Always compare PACE financing costs against other solar loan options before committing.

The Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) is a Florida-based nonprofit lender that provides low-interest financing for solar panel installations and other home energy improvements. Unlike traditional lenders, SELF does not require a credit check or impose income limits, making it one of the most accessible solar financing options available to Florida homeowners — particularly those who may be underserved by conventional financial institutions.

SELF loans can be used to finance solar photovoltaic systems, making it possible for a wider range of homeowners to go solar without a large upfront payment. The organization’s mission is to increase access to clean energy and energy efficiency improvements for low-to-moderate income households, though the program is open to any qualifying homeowner.

Homeowners interested in SELF financing should visit the SELF website or contact the organization directly to learn about current loan amounts, interest rates, repayment terms, and the application process. Program details and funding availability may vary, so early inquiry is recommended.