Boca Raton, FL Solar Panels

Verify the license

Paid rooftop solar installation generally requires an appropriate Florida contractor credential. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR/CILB) lists Certified Solar Contractor (CV) and Registered Solar Contractor (RV) classifications. A separate solar credential is not always required: another Chapter 489 contractor may do solar work within their authorized scope. Certified credentials allow statewide contracting; registered credentials are limited to the authorized jurisdiction. Ask for the responsible contractor’s name, classification, and license number, then confirm the credential and its scope with the state and the city or county where the home is located. Florida contractor licensing law.

Look for certified installers

Ask whether the people who will design or install your system hold NABCEP certifications or manufacturer certifications, and what each credential covers. These can add useful information when comparing experience and product familiarity, but they are not a substitute for the responsible contractor’s required Florida credential. Ask to see the credentials and confirm who on the project holds them.

Compare quotes the same way

Request written proposals with the same assumptions and compare each item—not just the monthly payment. Make sure you understand what is included, who is responsible for each step, and what happens if the project changes.

• System size in kilowatts (kW) and total price per watt.
• Panel and inverter brands and models.
• Estimated electricity production in kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year), plus the assumptions behind the estimate.
• Warranty terms for panel product and performance, inverter, workmanship, and roof penetrations.
• Who handles permits and utility interconnection.
• Total cost or monthly payment, financing or lease terms, and any payment escalator.

As context—not an industry benchmark—Palmetto reports a median installed system size of 10.6 kW and about 54 days from signing to installation. Ask each installer for its own project timeline and what could affect it.

Permits, interconnection and your HOA

Building and electrical permits go through the local enforcement agency, generally the city or county building department for the property. The homeowner applies to the serving electric utility for interconnection approval and any required agreement or metering; ask the installer exactly what it will handle. Florida utility examples include Florida Power & Light (FPL), Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric, and JEA, but confirm which utility serves your address and check its program. Florida Statute § 163.04 bars binding deed restrictions and similar agreements from prohibiting or effectively prohibiting solar devices. An association may set a roof location within the statute’s specified south-facing orientation if that does not impair effective operation. Read the statute.

Red flags

• Pressure to sign the same day or discouragement from comparing proposals.
• Unclear licensing or qualifications for the responsible contractor or installation crew, including out-of-state crews.
• Vague production estimates with no explanation of assumptions.
• A large upfront deposit without clear written terms and project milestones.
• Promises that a homeowner can claim federal tax credits for a 2026 purchase; homeowner credits ended December 31, 2025.