Solar Guide
Solar in Riverview
Riverview homeowners are turning to solar as Florida electricity prices jumped 26% from 2020 to 2024. Solar panels for home use offer a way to lock in lower energy costs while reducing monthly bills.
This guide covers everything Riverview residents need to know about solar panel installation in their area, from costs to permits to choosing the right system.
Key Takeaways
- Riverview receives excellent solar irradiance year-round with peak summer production reaching 42 kWh/day for a 10kW system.
- Florida offers valuable solar incentives including 30% federal tax credit, property tax exemption, and sales tax exemption.
- Average Riverview homeowners save $82,000 over 25 years with solar systems paying for themselves in 7.6 years.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from Riverview neighborhoods like Boyette, FishHawk, and Bloomingdale. Get accurate pricing estimates based on actual local projects, not generic estimates from other companies.
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Riverview Electricity Prices
Understanding Riverview’s electricity costs helps homeowners make informed decisions about their energy future and monthly budgets.
Florida electricity rates have risen steadily in recent years. Riverview residents saw costs jump from 11.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.2 cents in 2023.
Solar panels help Riverview homeowners generate their own electricity. This reduces dependence on the grid and provides protection against future rate increases.
Over 25 years, solar systems can provide predictable energy costs. This long-term stability helps families budget better while supporting clean energy goals.
Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average
Riverview Area Utility Providers
Riverview residents receive electricity from three main utility companies: Duke Energy, FPL, and TECO. Based on 2023 data, their rates varied significantly across the area.
Duke Energy charged the highest rates at 18.1¢ per kWh, exceeding both Florida’s 15.2¢ average and the national 16.0¢ average due to infrastructure and operational costs.
With utility rates trending upward, solar panels help homeowners lock in predictable energy costs while reducing dependence on traditional electricity providers and their rate increases.
Riverview Utilities Electricity Rates
Florida Solar Incentives
Riverview homeowners can reduce solar costs through valuable solar incentives in Florida at federal and state levels.
Florida offers property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions, and net metering programs. These incentives help offset installation costs and provide ongoing savings for Riverview residents.
Understanding available incentives helps you make informed decisions about solar installation timing and financial planning in Riverview.
$8,200
Average savings in Florida solar rebates
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
| Property Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | No property tax increase from added solar value. Prevents higher assessment on solar equipment. | Learn More |
| Sales Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | No state sales tax on solar equipment and installation. Reduces upfront cost immediately. | Learn More |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
Florida’s Property Tax Exemption for renewable energy systems protects homeowners from paying higher property taxes when they install solar panels or other qualifying renewable energy equipment. Under this state law, the added value that solar panels bring to your home is completely exempt from property tax assessment for residential properties. This means your property taxes won’t increase even though your home’s actual value has gone up due to the solar installation.
For residential properties, 100% of the renewable energy system’s value is exempt from property tax assessment, while non-residential properties receive an 80% exemption. The law covers a wide range of equipment including solar panels, inverters, storage systems, mounting hardware, and other essential components that are integral to the renewable energy system. To qualify, the renewable energy equipment must have been installed on or after January 1, 2013 for residential properties.
This exemption continues for the life of the equipment and there’s no cap on the dollar amount of the exemption. The current version of this law is set to expire on December 31, 2037, after which it will revert to covering only residential properties. Homeowners should note that conventional backup systems and equipment that would be needed regardless of the solar installation don’t qualify for this exemption.
Florida’s Sales Tax Exemption for solar energy systems eliminates the state’s sales and use tax on solar equipment and components. This means homeowners don’t pay the typical 6% state sales tax (plus any local sales tax) when purchasing solar panels, inverters, batteries, mounting equipment, and other qualifying solar system components. The exemption applies to both purchased and leased solar equipment.
The financial benefit varies based on your system size and local tax rates, but can save homeowners hundreds to thousands of dollars. For example, on a $20,000 solar system, you could save $1,200 or more in state sales tax alone. The exemption covers a comprehensive list of equipment including solar panels, inverters, batteries, mounting hardware, wiring, and even pool solar heating systems and solar-powered attic fans.
To qualify, the equipment must be used exclusively in a solar energy system for applications like water heating, space heating and cooling, or electricity generation. There are no income requirements, system size limits, or application deadlines – the exemption is available indefinitely. However, sellers must document exempt sales, and buyers typically need to sign a certification form confirming the equipment will be used exclusively for solar energy purposes.
Net metering in Florida allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credits on their electric bill for excess energy their system produces and sends back to the grid. When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home uses, that extra power flows to the utility grid and you receive credits that reduce your future electric bills. The specific terms and benefits vary significantly depending on which utility company serves your area.
Most major Florida utilities like Florida Power & Light (FPL), Duke Energy, and Tampa Electric offer 1:1 net metering, meaning you receive full retail rate credits (typically 10-15 cents per kWh) for excess solar production during the year. However, these credits are “trued-up” annually in December at much lower wholesale rates (around 1.5-3 cents per kWh), and your account resets to zero. Some utilities have also added minimum monthly bills ranging from $25-30. A few utilities like Kissimmee Utility Authority and Jacksonville Electric Utility use net billing instead, where excess energy is immediately credited at lower export rates of 3-9 cents per kWh.
The financial benefit depends heavily on your utility company and how much excess energy your system produces. While 1:1 net metering provides better monthly bill offsets, the low annual true-up rates mean any significant excess production has minimal value. Some smaller municipal utilities like City of Winter Park and City of Tallahassee offer more favorable terms, paying out excess credits at full retail rates or allowing credits to roll over indefinitely. It’s important to size your solar system appropriately for your energy usage and understand your specific utility’s net metering policy before installation.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Florida incentives.
Get a Free QuoteRiverview Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Riverview’s subtropical climate brings abundant sunshine year-round, though summer storms and seasonal cloud cover affect solar production. With proper system design, Florida consistently delivers excellent solar potential.
Solar Production in Riverview by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Installations in Riverview
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your Riverview neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities near you have made the switch to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
Riverview homeowners have access to Palmetto’s solar lease program through LightReach, which is available for all major utility companies in the area including Tampa Electric (TECO), Florida Power & Light (FPL), and Duke Energy.
With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount (like $150) instead of purchasing the system outright. This means no large upfront investment, no maintenance responsibilities, and immediate savings on your electricity bills. The leasing company handles all system monitoring, repairs, and warranty issues throughout the lease term.
Compared to paying cash and managing maintenance yourself, leasing offers predictable costs and professional system care. While cash purchases may offer higher long-term savings, leasing provides immediate benefits without the financial commitment or technical responsibilities of ownership.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes excellent sense in Riverview due to Florida’s abundant sunshine and favorable solar policies. Riverview homeowners save an average of $82,000 over 25 years with solar systems paying for themselves in approximately 7.6 years.
Florida offers valuable incentives including a 30% federal tax credit, property tax exemptions, and sales tax exemptions. With electricity rates rising 26% from 2020-2024, solar provides predictable energy costs and protection against future rate increases.
Yes, Riverview has net metering through its three main utility companies: TECO, FPL, and Duke Energy. All three offer 1:1 net metering, meaning you receive full retail rate credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid during the year.
However, these credits are “trued-up” annually in December at much lower wholesale rates (around 1.5-3 cents per kWh), and your account resets to zero. Some utilities also charge monthly minimum bills of $25-30 for solar customers.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Riverview, FL. A Zillow study shows solar panels increase home value by 4.1% nationwide, and Florida’s favorable solar policies make this benefit even more attractive.
In Riverview’s competitive real estate market, solar panels differentiate your home with lower energy costs and modern efficiency. Florida’s property tax exemption means you won’t pay higher taxes on the added solar value, making it a smart investment.
Solar costs in Riverview vary by home size and energy needs. After the 30% federal tax credit, a typical 10 kW system costs around $19,132 for a medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft).
Small homes (under 2,000 sq ft) typically need 7.8 kW systems costing $15,103 after incentives, while larger homes (over 3,000 sq ft) require 13 kW systems costing $24,006. Florida’s sales tax exemption and property tax exemption provide additional savings.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Riverview. Average homeowners save $82,000 over 25 years with systems paying for themselves in 7.6 years through monthly electricity bill reductions.
With Florida electricity rates rising 26% since 2020, solar provides predictable energy costs and protection against future rate increases. The 30% federal tax credit and Florida’s property tax exemption make the investment even more attractive for Riverview residents.
We’re proud to serve Riverview homeowners with quality solar installations and excellent customer service. As a national company with local expertise, we’ve completed 8,930 installations across Florida since 2020.
Our comprehensive approach includes some of the industry’s best financing options and a trusted installation network. We focus on making solar accessible and straightforward for Riverview families looking to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact.