Winter Garden, FL Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar Power in Winter Garden
If you are exploring solar installation in Winter Garden, FL, you are in the right place. Florida ranks 2nd in the nation for residential solar installations — and with good reason.
Florida electricity prices have risen 26% since 2020. Many Winter Garden homeowners are looking for ways to better understand and manage their energy costs. Our guide to home solar panels is a great place to start.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Winter Garden, FL?
Using real installation data from Winter Garden and nearby areas like Windermere, Ocoee, and Clermont, this calculator gives you an accurate estimate of what solar panels would cost for your home — no guesswork, just local numbers.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Florida electricity prices have risen 26% since 2020 — and Winter Garden homeowners can generate their own power to reduce their dependence on the grid.
- Winter Garden homeowners can save an estimated $81,000 over 25 years with solar, with a typical payback period of around 10.5 years.
- Florida offers strong solar incentives including a full sales tax exemption, a property tax exemption, and full retail-rate net metering credits.
Winter Garden Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Winter Garden have been climbing. Here is what the numbers show — and what local homeowners are doing about it.
Florida’s average electricity rate rose from 11.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents per kWh in 2024 — an increase of nearly 19%. The chart here compares Florida’s rates to the U.S. average over that same period.
For Winter Garden homeowners, solar panels can help offset these rising costs. By generating your own electricity at home, you rely less on the grid — and less on utility rates that are largely outside your control.
Over time, that energy independence adds up. Many solar homeowners see meaningful savings across the life of their system — turning a long-term energy expense into a long-term energy asset.
Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average
Winter Garden Area Utility Providers
Winter Garden, FL is primarily served by two utility providers: Duke Energy and OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission). Based on 2023 data — the most recent available — their electricity rates differ significantly, and both tell an important story for local homeowners.
In 2023, Duke Energy charged approximately 18.1¢ per kWh — well above both the Florida state average of 15.2¢ and the national average of 16.0¢. OUC came in lower at 12.6¢ per kWh, below both benchmarks. Your rate depends on which utility serves your address.
For Duke Energy customers especially, electricity costs in Winter Garden exceed national norms. Understanding your rate is a meaningful first step — and for many homeowners, it’s what makes exploring solar panel installation in Winter Garden, FL worth a closer look.
Winter Garden Utilities Electricity Rates
Florida Solar Incentives
Winter Garden homeowners have access to several solar incentives in Florida — including statewide programs that can meaningfully reduce the cost of going solar.
Florida offers statewide incentives that apply to all residents, including Winter Garden homeowners — such as a sales tax exemption, a property tax exemption, and net metering credits. Some additional rebates listed below are city-specific and may not apply to Winter Garden.
Note that as of 2026, the federal residential solar tax credit is no longer available for new installations. For homeowners who lease solar through Palmetto’s LightReach program, Palmetto applies the commercial ITC on the backend and passes those savings through via lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Florida exempts all solar energy equipment from the state’s 6% sales and use tax, reducing the upfront cost of going solar. | Learn More |
| Florida Property Tax Exemption for Residential Solar | Property Tax Exemption | Florida law provides a 100% property tax exemption on the added home value from a residential solar energy system, available through 2037. | Learn More |
| Florida Net Metering (Full Retail Rate Credit) | Net Metering | Florida’s major investor-owned utilities are required to credit solar customers at the full retail electricity rate for excess energy sent to the grid, with credits rolling over monthly for 12 months. | Learn More |
| Federal Tax Credit for Battery Storage (Standalone) | Tax Credit | Under the Inflation Reduction Act, residential battery storage systems of 3 kWh or more qualify for a 30% federal tax credit, whether installed with solar or as a standalone system. | Learn More |
| Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) Battery Storage Rebate | Rebate | OUC customers can receive up to $2,000 in rebates for installing a qualifying battery storage system of 8 kWh or more. | |
| PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Financing — Florida | Rebate | Florida’s PACE program allows homeowners to finance solar and battery storage installations through a property tax assessment, with no upfront costs and repayment terms up to 25 years. | |
| SELF (Solar and Energy Loan Fund) — Florida | Rebate | SELF is a Florida-based nonprofit that offers low-interest solar loans starting at $1,000 with flexible terms and no income limits, designed to make solar accessible to all homeowners. |
Florida’s Solar Energy Systems Sales and Use Tax Exemption means that when you purchase a solar panel system, you pay zero sales tax on all qualifying equipment — including solar panels, inverters, racking, batteries, and other accessories. With Florida’s standard sales tax rate at 6%, this exemption can save the average homeowner over $2,000 on a typical installation.
The exemption applies automatically at the point of sale, so there is no separate application to file. Your solar installer will handle the process. The exemption covers equipment certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center as qualifying solar energy components, and it has been a permanent part of Florida law since its original enactment in 1997.
This incentive is available to all Florida residents purchasing a solar energy system, regardless of system size or location — including residents of Winter Garden. It applies equally to solar-only systems and systems paired with battery storage, making it one of the simplest and most universally accessible solar incentives in the state.
Under Florida Statute 196.182, homeowners who install a solar energy system are completely exempt from paying additional property taxes on the value that the solar system adds to their home. This 100% exemption is currently authorized through 2037, giving homeowners long-term certainty that their property tax bill will not increase as a result of going solar.
Solar installations can add significant value to a home — often $15,000 or more — so without this exemption, homeowners could face hundreds of dollars in additional property taxes each year. The exemption covers all residential solar equipment, including photovoltaic modules, inverters, control devices, wiring, power conditioning systems, and storage devices.
Non-residential (commercial) renewable energy properties are eligible for an 80% property tax abatement under a related provision. For residential homeowners in Winter Garden, the exemption is automatic and tied to the property, so no ongoing annual application is typically required once the system is permitted and recorded. Consult your county property appraiser’s office for local filing procedures.
Florida’s net metering policy requires the state’s major investor-owned utilities — Florida Power & Light (FPL), Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Company (TECO), and Florida Public Utilities — to credit residential solar customers at the full retail rate for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of excess electricity exported to the grid. This one-to-one credit is one of the most favorable net metering policies in the country and significantly improves the financial return on a solar investment.
Excess bill credits roll over from month to month throughout a 12-month period. At the end of the annual cycle (typically in January), any remaining unused credits are paid out in cash at a reduced rate of approximately 3–5 cents per kWh, depending on the utility. Residential systems can be sized up to 115% of the customer’s average annual energy consumption, and there is no statewide aggregate cap on net metering participation.
Important policy change ahead: Florida’s full retail-rate net metering is scheduled to change after 2026. The compensation rate is set to drop to 60% of the retail rate in 2027 and 50% of the retail rate in subsequent years. Homeowners in Winter Garden who install solar before the policy changes are expected to be grandfathered into the current favorable rate, making now an especially advantageous time to go solar.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 expanded the Residential Clean Energy Credit to include standalone battery storage systems, meaning Florida homeowners can claim a 30% federal tax credit on the full cost of a qualifying battery installation — even if it is not paired with a new solar panel system. This is a significant benefit for homeowners who already have solar and want to add storage, or who want backup power without panels.
To qualify, the battery storage system must have a capacity of more than 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh). The credit covers the full installed cost, including equipment and labor. The 30% credit rate is in effect through 2032, after which it steps down to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034. The credit is non-refundable but can be carried forward to future tax years if it exceeds your tax liability in the year of installation.
To claim the credit, file IRS Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits) with your federal tax return for the year the battery system is placed in service. You must own the system outright — leased battery systems do not qualify. Consult a tax professional to confirm your eligibility based on your individual tax situation.
The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) offers residential customers a rebate of up to $2,000 for the installation of a qualifying battery energy storage system. This incentive is part of OUC’s broader Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program and is designed to help homeowners in the greater Orlando area — including Winter Garden — reduce the cost of adding battery backup to their solar installations.
To qualify for the full rebate amount, the battery system must have a capacity of at least 8 kilowatt-hours (kWh). Customers must be active OUC electric service customers. As with most utility rebate programs, pre-approval before installation is typically required, and funding may be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Homeowners should contact OUC directly or visit the OUC website to confirm current program details, eligibility requirements, and the application process before purchasing or installing a battery storage system.
Florida’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program enables homeowners to finance solar panel systems, battery storage, and other qualifying energy upgrades with no money down. Instead of a traditional loan, the financing is structured as a special assessment attached to the property’s annual tax bill, repaid at a fixed interest rate over a term of up to 25 years. There are no credit score requirements to qualify, making PACE accessible to homeowners who may not qualify for conventional financing.
One important feature of PACE financing is that the repayment obligation is tied to the property, not the individual homeowner. If you sell your home before the loan is paid off, the remaining balance transfers to the new owner as part of the property tax assessment. Contractors are paid directly by the PACE provider after the work is completed and verified, protecting homeowners from upfront payment risks.
PACE programs are available in most Florida counties, but specific providers and program details vary by location. Homeowners in Winter Garden should consult their local government, a certified solar installer, or the DSIRE database to identify the PACE providers operating in their county and to understand all terms before committing to this financing option.
The Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) is a Florida-based nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides affordable, low-interest loans for solar panel installations and other home energy improvements. SELF loans are unsecured, meaning no home equity is required, and they are available to Florida homeowners with a credit score of 500 or above. Loan amounts start at $1,000, and interest rates typically range from 5% to 9.5% depending on the applicant’s financial profile.
Unlike many traditional lenders, SELF does not impose income limits, making its loan products accessible to a wide range of Florida homeowners — including those in Winter Garden with limited credit history or lower incomes. The program is specifically designed to remove financial barriers to clean energy adoption and help households that might otherwise be unable to afford solar installations.
SELF loans can be used for solar PV systems, battery storage, energy efficiency upgrades, water conservation improvements, and windstorm upgrades. Florida homeowners interested in SELF financing should contact the organization directly to learn about current loan products, terms, and the application process.
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 QuoteWinter Garden 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.
Winter Garden enjoys abundant Florida sunshine year-round, but humidity and seasonal storms can affect output. Even so, the right solar system consistently performs well here every month.
Solar Production in Winter Garden 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 Panel Systems in Winter Garden
We’ve mapped thousands of solar installations across the U.S. — and Winter Garden is well represented! Explore the heatmap below to see which neighborhoods in your community have already made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to see how many of your neighbors have gone solar!
Leasing Solar Panels
If you’d prefer not to pay the full cost of a solar system upfront, Palmetto offers a solar lease through its LightReach program — and it’s available to Winter Garden homeowners served by most major utilities in the area, including Duke Energy, OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission), and others across Florida.
With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount — for example, around $130/month for a medium-sized home — rather than purchasing the system outright. Palmetto owns the panels, handles all maintenance and monitoring, and backs your system with a 90% production guarantee. That means no surprise repair bills, no performance worries, and no large upfront investment to recoup. To learn more about how leasing compares to buying, visit our solar buy or lease guide.
For many Winter Garden homeowners, leasing makes practical sense. Instead of spending $27,000 or more on a cash purchase — and taking on the responsibility of system upkeep yourself — a lease lets you start saving on electricity from day one, with predictable monthly costs and full support from Palmetto throughout the life of your system.
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 strong sense in Winter Garden, FL. With 5.6 peak sun hours per day, rising electricity rates (Duke Energy customers pay 18.1¢/kWh — above the national average), and Florida’s sales tax exemption, property tax exemption, and full retail-rate net metering, the financial case is clear. A typical Winter Garden home can save an estimated $81,000 over 25 years.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease removes that barrier entirely — homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with payments as low as $130/month for a medium-sized home.
Yes, Winter Garden homeowners have access to net metering. Winter Garden is primarily served by Duke Energy and OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission), both of which offer 1:1 net metering. Excess solar energy sent to the grid earns credits at the full retail rate, which roll over month to month on a per-kWh basis.
At the end of the annual cycle in December, any remaining unused credits are settled — Duke Energy pays out at approximately 2–3 cents/kWh, while OUC credits are trued-up at the full retail rate. Note that Duke Energy customers are subject to a $30/month minimum bill. Florida’s current full retail-rate net metering policy is scheduled to change after 2026, so homeowners who install solar sooner are expected to be grandfathered into today’s more favorable terms.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in Winter Garden. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $400,000 home — close to Winter Garden’s median — that could mean over $16,000 in added value.
Florida also offers a 100% property tax exemption on the added value from a residential solar system, meaning your property taxes won’t increase when you go solar. That makes the home value benefit essentially tax-free for Winter Garden homeowners.
The most accessible way for Winter Garden homeowners to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment starting around $130/month for a medium-sized home. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
For those who prefer a cash purchase, a typical 10 kW system in Winter Garden runs around $27,332. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Winter Garden homeowners, solar can be worth it from day one — especially with a lease. Through Palmetto’s LightReach program, your monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, so you start saving immediately with no upfront investment.
With Florida’s rising electricity rates, 5.6 peak sun hours daily, and strong incentives like net metering and property tax exemptions, a typical Winter Garden home can save an estimated $81,000 over 25 years — making solar a sound long-term financial decision.
Palmetto Solar is a top choice for Winter Garden homeowners. As a national company with a strong local presence, we’ve completed 8,930 installs across Florida since 2020. Our trusted installer network ensures quality workmanship, and we offer some of the most flexible financing options in the industry — including our LightReach lease with no upfront cost.
Whether you prefer to lease or purchase, we make going solar straightforward. From your first estimate to installation and ongoing monitoring, we’re with you every step of the way.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Winter Garden homeowners can go solar with no upfront cost. One simple monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. For a typical 10.13 kW system, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $130/month — often less than your current electricity bill, so savings start on day one.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — an advantage that cash purchases no longer offer following the Big Beautiful Bill.