Sarasota, FL Solar Panels

Under Section 212.08(7)(hh) of the Florida Statutes, all solar energy systems and their components are fully exempt from Florida’s 6% sales and use tax. Eligible equipment includes solar photovoltaic panels, inverters, racking hardware, energy storage units (batteries), and other accessories integral to a qualifying solar system. The exemption is permanent and has been in effect since 2005.

For the average Sarasota homeowner installing a system priced around $34,960, this exemption saves approximately $2,097 at the point of sale — with no application required. Your solar installer will automatically apply the exemption when purchasing equipment, so you receive the savings without any extra paperwork.

This exemption applies to residential solar PV systems, solar water heaters, and accompanying battery storage devices. There is no cap on the system size or cost, making it one of the most straightforward and universally accessible incentives available to Sarasota solar customers.

Under Florida Statute § 193.624, the added assessed value of a residential solar energy system — including solar PV panels and accompanying battery storage devices — is 100% exempt from property taxation through December 31, 2037. This means that even though a solar installation can increase your home’s market value, your property tax bill will not increase as a result.

The financial benefit varies by location depending on your local millage rate and the value of your system, but most Florida homeowners save between $100 and $400 per year on property taxes. Over the life of the exemption, this can add up to thousands of dollars in cumulative savings.

No application is required to claim this exemption — it is applied automatically by your county property appraiser. The exemption covers both new installations and existing systems, and it includes battery storage systems installed alongside solar panels, making it especially valuable as more homeowners in Sarasota add energy storage to their setups.

Florida’s Public Service Commission (PSC) requires the state’s four investor-owned utilities — Florida Power & Light (FPL), Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric (TECO), and Florida Public Utilities (FPU) — to offer full retail rate net metering to residential solar customers. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of excess solar energy you send back to the grid, you receive a credit equal to the same rate you pay for electricity — the best possible buyback structure for homeowners.

Residential solar systems are generally limited to no more than 115% of your historical annual electricity consumption. Monthly credits roll over from month to month throughout the year, but reset at the end of a 12-month period. Any remaining credits at year-end are paid out as a cash credit on your January bill, typically at a reduced rate of 3–5 cents per kWh depending on the utility. Individual systems may not exceed 2 MW in capacity.

As of 2026, full retail net metering remains in effect and the policy is expected to remain stable through at least the next PSC review in 2029. Homeowners in Sarasota are encouraged to confirm current interconnection and crediting terms directly with their utility before installation, as policies can be subject to legislative or regulatory changes.

The Solar & Energy Loan Fund (SELF) is a Florida-based nonprofit lender that provides accessible, low-interest financing for residential solar panel installations. Loans are available with no down payment required, interest rates ranging from 5% to 9.5% APR, and a minimum loan amount of $1,000. Unlike traditional lenders, SELF accepts applicants with credit scores as low as 500, making solar financing available to a broader range of Florida homeowners.

SELF loans are unsecured for residential borrowers, meaning your home is not used as collateral. This distinguishes SELF from PACE financing, which attaches repayment to your property tax bill. SELF loans can be used to finance solar PV systems, solar water heaters, and other qualifying renewable energy upgrades.

SELF operates statewide across Florida and works with a network of approved contractors. Visit selffunding.org to check current loan terms, eligibility requirements, and to begin the application process. This program is especially useful for homeowners in Sarasota who may not qualify for traditional solar financing but want to take advantage of Florida’s strong solar incentives.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is available in many Florida counties and municipalities, allowing homeowners to fund solar PV and battery storage installations with no upfront cost. Under PACE, the loan is tied to the property rather than the homeowner, and repayments are made through an addition to the annual property tax bill at a fixed interest rate over a term of typically 10 to 20 years.

Because the loan is attached to the property, it transfers to the next owner if the home is sold before the loan is repaid — which can be a benefit or a complication depending on your situation. A lien will be placed on your property until the loan is fully paid off, and mortgage lenders may have specific requirements regarding PACE liens, so it is important to consult with your lender before proceeding.

PACE program availability and terms vary by county and municipality. Contact your local Florida county government or municipality to find out which PACE programs are available in your area and to compare terms. PACE can be a useful tool for homeowners in Sarasota who want to go solar immediately without a large upfront investment and who plan to remain in their home long-term.