Florida 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 Florida 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 Florida 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. In areas with higher millage rates, such as the City of Miami, annual savings can be even greater. 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 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 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. Note that OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission), a municipal utility, operates under a separate and different export credit policy — see the OUC Battery Rebate entry for details.

The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) offers a residential battery storage rebate of up to $2,000 per premises for customers who install a qualifying energy storage system. This incentive became effective July 1, 2025, and is part of OUC’s TruNet program. To be eligible, customers must be OUC residential electric customers and install a battery system that meets OUC’s minimum capacity requirements (8 kWh or greater).

There is an important trade-off to understand: accepting the $2,000 battery rebate requires opting into TruNet export pricing. Under this structure, new solar customers (those who submitted interconnection applications on or after July 1, 2025) receive export credits at the community solar rate — approximately 4.6¢/kWh — rather than the full retail rate. This export rate applies through June 30, 2030, after which credits shift to the retail fuel rate. Customers who interconnected before July 1, 2025 are grandfathered at full retail net metering for a 20-year period, but will lose that grandfathered status if they accept the battery rebate.

Homeowners should carefully weigh the one-time $2,000 rebate against the long-term reduction in export credit value before applying. For customers who primarily value backup power and resilience rather than maximum bill savings from exports, the rebate may still represent a strong financial benefit. Contact OUC directly or visit ouc.com for current program details and application instructions.

The Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) SolarSmart program provides a rebate of $0.50 per watt of installed solar capacity for residential rooftop solar PV systems, up to a maximum of $4,000 per system. This means a typical 8 kW system would qualify for the full $4,000 rebate. The program is available to JEA electric customers who install grid-tied solar PV systems that meet JEA’s interconnection requirements.

To qualify, the solar system must be installed by a licensed contractor and meet all applicable permitting and inspection requirements. Customers must apply through JEA and receive approval before or after installation per program guidelines. This rebate can significantly reduce the upfront cost of going solar for Jacksonville-area homeowners.

It is important to note that JEA solar customers who are grandfathered under JEA’s previous Net Metering Policy and choose to take advantage of JEA’s battery incentive (see separate entry) will lose their grandfathered net metering status. Contact JEA at (800) 961-0293 or visit jea.com for current program availability, funding status, and application details.

The Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) offers one of Florida’s largest battery storage rebates — $4,000 for qualifying residential customers who purchase and install an eligible battery energy storage system. To qualify, the battery must have a minimum usable capacity of 6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and come with a manufacturer’s warranty of at least 10 years. Only JEA customers who have an approved renewable generation system (such as a solar PV system) are eligible for this rebate.

The rebate amount is subject to change after the first 50 participants enroll, so early application is strongly encouraged. This incentive is designed to help JEA solar customers add backup power capability to their homes, improving energy resilience during outages — which is especially valuable in Florida’s hurricane-prone environment.

Important caveat: JEA solar customers who are currently grandfathered under JEA’s previous Net Metering Policy will forfeit that grandfathered status if they accept this battery rebate, and will thereafter be subject to JEA’s current Distributed Generation Policy for export credits. Homeowners should evaluate this trade-off carefully. Contact JEA at (800) 961-0293 or visit jea.com for full eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Lakeland Electric provides a battery storage rebate equal to 50% of the installed cost of a qualifying energy storage system, capped at $1,000. This incentive is available exclusively to Lakeland Electric customers who already have or are simultaneously installing a solar PV system. The program is designed to make battery storage more affordable and encourage greater adoption of clean energy with backup power capability.

To qualify, the battery storage system must provide a minimum of 6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of usable capacity and include a manufacturer’s warranty of at least 10 years or 5,000 charge cycles. The system must be installed by a licensed contractor and meet all applicable utility interconnection and permitting requirements.

For a homeowner purchasing a $2,000 battery system, this rebate would cover $1,000 of the cost — a meaningful reduction. Contact Lakeland Electric directly for current program availability, approved equipment lists, and application procedures, as program details may be updated periodically.

New Smyrna Beach Utilities (NSBU) is offering a seasonal battery storage rebate of up to $3,000 for residential electric customers who have an existing interconnected solar PV system and choose to add a qualifying battery storage system. The program is available from May 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026, or until available funding is exhausted — whichever comes first.

To be eligible, applicants must be NSBU residential electric customers with an approved and interconnected solar PV renewable generation system. The battery storage system must meet a minimum capacity requirement as specified by NSBU. Given the seasonal and funding-limited nature of this program, homeowners interested in this rebate should apply as early as possible after May 1, 2026.

For application details, eligibility requirements, and approved equipment lists, contact NSBU directly at (386) 427-1361 or visit nsbufl.com. This rebate represents one of the more generous battery storage incentives available from a Florida municipal utility and is well-suited for homeowners looking to add resilience to their existing solar systems.

The City of Boynton Beach Energy Edge Program offers a flat $1,500 rebate to residents who install a qualifying solar photovoltaic system. To be eligible, the system must be at least 5 kilowatts (kW) in capacity and use solar panels with an efficiency rating of 17.5% or higher. The system must be installed by a Florida-certified solar contractor who is registered with the City of Boynton Beach.

The rebate is limited to one per property and can be claimed once every 10 years. Applicants must submit their application — along with proof of payment and copies of permits — within 90 days of the final inspection. The property must be the applicant’s primary residence (or, for businesses, the principal place of business). Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited annually, so early application is recommended.

This rebate can be combined with Florida’s statewide sales tax and property tax exemptions to further reduce the net cost of going solar. Visit boynton-beach.org/284 for the official application, current funding availability, and a full list of program requirements.

The City of Dunedin’s Solar Energy Rebate Grant Program provides residential solar customers with a grant of $0.25 per watt of installed solar capacity, up to a maximum of $2,500. For example, a 10 kW system would qualify for the full $2,500 grant. This program is available to residential property owners within Dunedin’s city utility service territory.

Funding for this program is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis each fiscal year. Historically, the grant funding is exhausted by mid-year (June–August), so homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply early in the fiscal year — ideally between October and December — to maximize their chances of receiving the full grant amount.

To apply, contact the City of Dunedin directly through dunedingov.com for current application forms, eligibility requirements, and funding availability. This grant can be stacked with Florida’s statewide sales tax and property tax exemptions for additional savings.

The City of Tallahassee Utilities Solar Loan Program provides Tallahassee residents with access to low-interest financing for solar energy installations. Loans are available up to $20,000 at a fixed interest rate of 5% APR, with repayment terms of 5 to 10 years. Loan repayments are conveniently added to the customer’s monthly utility bill, eliminating the need for a separate loan payment.

Eligible systems include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar pool heating systems, and solar water heating systems. There is no down payment required, making this an accessible option for homeowners who want to go solar without a large upfront investment. The on-bill repayment structure also means the loan stays manageable alongside regular utility costs.

This program is available exclusively to City of Tallahassee Utilities electric customers. Visit talgov.com or contact Tallahassee Utilities directly for current program details, loan application procedures, and approved contractor requirements.

The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC) Solar Loan Program offers cooperative members financing of up to $35,000 for the purchase and installation of grid-tied distributed energy resource (DER) systems. Eligible systems include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and grid-tied battery storage systems. All installations must be performed by a qualified solar installer approved by FKEC.

The loan amount is calculated as the total project cost less any available qualified rebates, up to the $35,000 maximum. This program is particularly valuable for Florida Keys residents, where energy costs and the importance of resilient backup power are especially significant given the region’s vulnerability to hurricanes and grid outages.

To apply, FKEC members should contact the cooperative directly through fkec.com to confirm current loan terms, interest rates, repayment schedules, and approved equipment or installer requirements. Availability and terms may be updated periodically.

The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) offers a $450 flat rebate to residential customers who install a new qualifying solar water heating system. This rebate is designed to help homeowners offset the upfront cost of solar thermal technology, which can significantly reduce water heating energy costs year-round in Florida’s sunny climate.

To qualify, the solar water heating system must be certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and installed by a licensed Florida contractor. The rebate is limited to one per household, and customers must be active FPUA residential electric customers. Applications should be submitted after installation is complete, along with proof of purchase and installation documentation.

Contact Fort Pierce Utilities Authority directly at fpua.com for the current application form, a list of FSEC-certified systems, and any additional eligibility requirements. Funding availability may be limited, so early application is recommended.

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 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 who want to go solar immediately without a large upfront investment and who plan to remain in their home long-term.