FLORIDA
Solar in Florida
Florida experiences an average of 237 sunny days each year, making it one of the sunniest states in the nation.* The state’s plentiful sunshine and favorable clean energy laws have earned it the fourth position among the top solar states in the United States.
However, only a few thousand Florida homes currently have solar panels. According to Google’s Project Sunroof, 92% of Florida’s buildings must install solar panels for the state to reach its full solar potential. If that happens, the Sunshine State can produce up to 158 million MWh AC per year.
In the first quarter of 2021, Florida had 90,487 solar installations that produced 7,074 MW of clean electricity. Florida aims to increase its solar power production by 12,153 MW over the next five years. The state’s largest solar installation is the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center, which generates 75 MW.*
Solar potential on Florida?
Florida has a high potential for solar energy production. The state receives an average of 5.38 hours of sunshine per day, and the average annual solar irradiance is 5.274 kWh/m2. This means that solar panels in Florida can generate a significant amount of electricity.
Cost of solar in Florida?
The cost of a home solar system can vary due to a range of factors, even in the same state. These include:
Roof size and angle
Solar panel brand and quality
Installer rates
Permit costs
Weather
In Florida, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,650 to $20,500, or in other words, from $2.53 to $4.10 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
If you live in Florida, switching to solar power is one of the best financial decisions you can make. The switch can offset your monthly electricity bill by 80 to 109%, so you could be paying zero dollars a month for power. By not needing to pay for electricity, you could save up to $30,676 to $41,503 over the next 20 years.
Since the cost of solar panel installation has dropped by 43% across the nation, now is a great time to go solar. Even though the solar panels for your home are cheaper, the installation can boost your property’s market value by over 4%.*
Advantages?
Here are some of the advantages of going solar in Florida:
Lower electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you save money on your electricity bills. The average Arizona homeowner can save up to $30,000 on their electricity bills over the lifetime of their solar system.
Increased home value: Solar panels can add value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Studies have shown that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Reduced carbon footprint: Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment. Solar panels produce no emissions, which can help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Financial incentives: Florida offers a number of financial incentives that can help offset the cost of solar panels. These incentives include the federal solar tax credit, state rebates, and utility company incentives.
Home solar looks even more attractive considering that Florida homeowners who choose to install a PV system can enjoy 30% in federal solar tax credit.* Additionally, there is a property tax exemption on added value, and 5.6% sales tax exemption.
Disadvantages?
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Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
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Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
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Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Florida state policies?
Florida Solar Power Incentives: Florida offers a number of financial incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives include:
Federal solar tax credit: The federal government offers an investment tax credit (ITC) of 30% for solar energy systems installed in Florida. This means that if you install a solar system in Florida, you can claim a tax credit of 30% of the cost of your system. This can save you a significant amount of money on your taxes.
Utility company incentives: Some utility companies in Florida offer incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include discounts on your electricity bill or payments for excess electricity that you generate.
Net metering: Net metering is a policy that allows solar customers to sell excess electricity back to their utility company at the retail rate. This can help offset the cost of your solar system.
Florida PACE Loan Program: Under the PACE program, you can access loans that cover 100% of the cost of going solar.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): SRECs are tradable credits that represent the environmental attributes of solar power. Utilities in Florida are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators, which can provide additional income for homeowners with solar panels.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Florida? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Florida, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!