Solar Guide
In This Guide
Solar in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg homeowners are discovering solar energy’s power as Florida ranks 2nd for residential solar installations nationwide. With electricity prices rising 26% from 2020 to 2024, solar offers smart long-term savings.
Exploring solar panels for your home? Understanding your options is the first step toward energy independence in St. Petersburg.
Key Takeaways
- St. Petersburg receives excellent solar irradiance with 240+ sunny days annually, making solar panels highly effective year-round.
- Florida offers valuable solar incentives including 30% federal tax credits and property tax exemptions for solar installations.
- Solar systems pay for themselves in approximately 7.5 years while providing 25-year savings averaging $84,000.
Solar Cost Calculator
Our calculator uses real installation data from St. Petersburg neighborhoods like Downtown, Old Northeast, Kenwood, and Pinellas Point. Get accurate solar costs based on actual local projects, not generic estimates.
System
Cost
Savings
St. Petersburg Electricity Prices
St. Petersburg residents face rising electricity costs, but the city’s abundant sunshine offers a natural solution through solar energy.
Florida electricity rates jumped from 11.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.2 cents in 2023, impacting household budgets across St. Petersburg.
Solar panels allow St. Petersburg homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and monthly utility bills.
With over 240 sunny days annually, St. Petersburg homes can harness solar energy for decades, creating long-term protection against rising electricity costs.
Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average
St. Petersburg Area Utility Providers
St. Petersburg residents receive electricity from two main providers: Duke Energy at 18.1¢ per kWh and TECO at 16.6¢ per kWh (2023 data).
Both utilities exceed Florida’s 15.2¢ average and the national 16.0¢ rate, reflecting infrastructure costs and Florida’s growing energy demand in coastal areas.
Higher electricity rates make solar’s fixed energy costs more attractive, potentially reducing monthly bills while protecting against future utility rate increases.
St. Petersburg Utilities Electricity Rates
Florida Solar Incentives
St. Petersburg residents can significantly reduce solar installation costs through available solar incentives in Florida and federal programs.
Florida offers valuable state-level benefits including property tax exemptions that prevent solar equipment from increasing home assessments and sales tax exemptions reducing upfront installation costs.
Net metering programs allow St. Petersburg homeowners to earn credits for excess solar energy sent back to the grid.
$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 commercial properties receive an 80% exemption. The law covers a wide range of equipment including solar panels, inverters, storage systems, mounting hardware, and related 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 system, helping homeowners save money on property taxes year after year while their solar investment pays for itself through energy savings.
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 accessories like pool solar blankets. To claim this exemption, your solar installer will typically handle the documentation by having you sign a certification form stating the equipment is for exclusive use in a solar energy system.
There are no income limits, system size restrictions, or application deadlines for this exemption – it’s available to all Florida residents installing qualifying solar equipment. However, the exemption only applies to equipment that’s integral to the solar system itself. Standard household wiring and structural components that would exist regardless of the solar installation don’t qualify for the tax exemption.
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 that can be carried over month to month. However, some utilities have introduced minimum monthly bills ranging from $25-30, and annual true-ups in December where excess credits are paid out at much lower wholesale rates (1.5-3 cents per kWh). Some smaller utilities and cooperatives have moved to net billing systems that only credit exports at reduced rates of 3-9 cents per kWh.
Net metering is generally available to residential customers who install qualifying solar systems and complete their utility’s interconnection process. There are typically no specific deadlines, but some utilities have grandfathered older systems under more favorable terms. Homeowners should carefully review their specific utility’s net metering policy, as the financial benefits can vary dramatically – from excellent savings potential with true 1:1 programs to minimal benefits with low export credit rates.
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 QuoteSt. Petersburg 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.
St. Petersburg’s subtropical climate brings year-round sunshine, though summer storms and seasonal variations affect solar output. With proper system design, Florida’s abundant sun makes solar highly effective.
Solar Production in St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg
We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your St. Petersburg neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities have made the switch to solar power.
Leasing Solar Panels
St. Petersburg homeowners have access to solar leasing through Palmetto’s LightReach program, which offers solar panels without the upfront investment. This leasing option allows you to start saving on electricity bills immediately while Palmetto handles all maintenance and system monitoring.
Solar leasing provides several advantages over purchasing panels outright. You avoid the initial system cost of $19,000-$24,000, eliminate concerns about equipment maintenance or repairs, and begin reducing your monthly electricity bills from day one. Additionally, leasing protects you from technology obsolescence since Palmetto ensures your system performs optimally throughout the lease term.
The choice between buying and leasing depends on your financial situation and preferences. While purchasing maximizes long-term savings and provides ownership benefits, leasing offers immediate savings with minimal responsibility, making solar accessible to more St. Petersburg residents regardless of available capital.
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 St. Petersburg. With 240+ sunny days annually and strong solar irradiance, St. Petersburg provides ideal conditions for solar energy production year-round.
Solar systems in St. Petersburg typically pay for themselves in 7.5 years while providing 25-year savings averaging $84,000. Rising electricity costs make solar’s fixed energy production even more valuable for long-term financial protection.
Yes, St. Petersburg has net metering through both major utility providers serving the area. Duke Energy offers 1:1 net metering where excess solar energy is credited at full retail rates, though they implemented a $30 monthly minimum bill in 2022.
TECO also provides 1:1 net metering with full retail rate credits for excess production. Both utilities allow monthly credit carryover, with annual true-ups in December where remaining credits are paid at lower wholesale rates of 2-3 cents per kWh.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in St. Petersburg. Research from Zillow shows solar panels increase home value by 4.1% on average, adding approximately $12,000-$15,000 to a typical St. Petersburg home.
Florida’s property tax exemption means you won’t pay higher taxes on this added value, making solar a smart investment that enhances your home’s marketability while reducing monthly energy costs.
Solar installation costs in St. Petersburg typically range from $15,103 to $24,006 after the 30% federal tax credit, depending on your home size and energy needs.
A typical medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) requires a 10.13 kW system costing approximately $19,132 after incentives. This system generates enough electricity to offset most household energy usage while providing $84,000 in 25-year savings.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in St. Petersburg. With abundant sunshine and rising electricity costs, solar systems typically pay for themselves in 7.5 years while providing 25-year savings averaging $84,000.
The 30% federal tax credit and Florida’s property tax exemption significantly reduce upfront costs, making solar an excellent long-term investment that protects against future utility rate increases.
We’re proud to serve St. Petersburg homeowners with quality solar installations and excellent customer service. As a national company with local focus, we’ve completed 8,930 installations across Florida since 2020, bringing clean energy to communities throughout the state.
Our comprehensive approach includes competitive financing options and a trusted installer network, making solar accessible and affordable for St. Petersburg residents. We handle everything from initial consultation through system activation, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.