Solar in Florida: is it worth it in 2026?
Florida is a good state for solar: most homes that buy a system get their money back in about a decade. Three things decide that: electricity prices rank 29th of 51, its sun ranks 13th, and exported power earns full retail credit. Of the 51 states and DC, Florida has the 17th-fastest payback for a typical home.
The average home here pays about $168 a month for 1,103 kWh. An 8 kW system sized for that home would knock about $1,770 off the first year's bills, 88% of the total.
Checked November 12, 2026
What makes solar pay off in Florida
- Size the system to cover your yearly use. With full net metering, power you export is worth as much as power you use, so timing matters less than in most states.
- The price per watt decides it. At 15.2¢ per kWh, the price per watt matters as much as the sun. At $3.34 per watt, the high end of what companies quote, payback for a typical system here stretches to 15 years.
Payback by system size
An average Florida home uses about 13,236 kWh a year. Here's how systems sized to cover part or all of that work out, bought with cash at $2.57 per watt:
| Covers | Size | Price | Makes a year | Payback | 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49% | 4.5 kW | $11,565 | 6,548 kWh | 11 years | $17,658 |
| 77% | 7 kW | $17,990 | 10,185 kWh | 11 years | $28,926 |
| 99% | 9 kW | $23,130 | 13,095 kWh | 11 years | $37,940 |
| 126% | 11.5 kW | $29,555 | 16,733 kWh | 13 years | $39,742 |
The 4.5 kW system pays back fastest, but the 11.5 kW system saves the most over 25 years. Assumes exported power earns full credit, prices rise 2.5% a year and one inverter replacement.
How Florida credits power you send to the grid
Full credit (net metering)
Full retail net metering for customers of investor-owned utilities as of September 2026. Some utilities pay a low rate for credits left over at year end, and changes are being discussed.
By utility
- Florida Power & Light (FPL): Full retail net metering, as for all of Florida's investor-owned utilities, as of September 2026. Credits carry from month to month; what's left at year end is paid at a low rate.
- Duke Energy Florida: Full retail net metering under Florida's rule for investor-owned utilities: exported power offsets bought power kWh for kWh, and leftover credit carries forward until the yearly settlement.
- Tampa Electric (TECO): Full retail net metering under Florida's rule: monthly credits at the price you pay, carried forward, with a low payout for any left at year end.
Before you sign in Florida
Check the license. Look the company up with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license number too.
Florida has no solar-specific sales law that we know of, so its general consumer protection law applies.
In every state, the FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel a contract signed at your home until midnight of the third business day.
How to choose a solar company · Contract checklist · Before you sign
Florida compared with its neighbors
| State | Electricity | kWh per kW | Typical payback | Exported power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 15.2¢ | 1,455 | 11 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Alabama | 16.1¢ | 1,367 | 20 years | No statewide rule |
| Georgia | 14.7¢ | 1,420 | 17 years | Reduced credit (net billing) |
Questions about solar in Florida
How long does solar take to pay for itself in Florida?
About 11 years for a typical 8 kW system bought with cash at the 2026 median price of $2.57 per watt, with no federal tax credit and one inverter replacement. A bigger or smaller system, a different price, or your own usage will change that; the table above shows other sizes.
Does Florida have net metering?
Yes. Full retail net metering for customers of investor-owned utilities as of September 2026. Some utilities pay a low rate for credits left over at year end, and changes are being discussed.
Is there a solar tax credit in Florida in 2026?
Not from the federal government for buyers: the 30% homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. For a typical 8 kW system in Florida, that credit was worth about $6,168 and brought payback down to 8 years, instead of 11 years now. Leasing companies can still claim a business credit, so ask for a lease or PPA price too. Your state energy office lists any state rebates.
Is a solar battery worth it in Florida?
Not for savings. Florida credits exported power at the full retail rate, and storing power in a battery loses about 10% of it, so a battery saves nothing on the bill. It can still be worth it for backup during outages: a 13.5 kWh battery costs about $15,650 installed in 2026.
Is plug-in solar legal in Florida?
There's no plug-in solar law yet in Florida, so your utility may treat a kit like any rooftop system.
How do I check a solar company's license in Florida?
Look the company up with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp) by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license too.
More guides: What changed for solar in 2026 · Lease or buy? · Plug-in solar · Is my solar system working?
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); NREL PVWatts (National Solar Radiation Database), statewide averages; SolarReviews: Net metering in 2026; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.