Florida Solar Incentives Cost Data 2026
| Incentive | Type | Value (est.) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal ITC (§48E / §25D) | Tax credit | Varies by ownership structure | Any FL homeowner with federal tax liability |
| Property Tax Exemption | Property tax reduction | ~$1,200–$2,400/yr | All FL residential solar (auto-applied at county level) |
| Sales Tax Exemption | Tax savings at purchase | 6% of equipment cost | All FL solar installations (auto-applied by installer) |
| Net Metering Credits | Ongoing utility credit | Varies by usage | All FL investor-owned utility customers through 2029 |
Top Solar Incentives Providers in Florida
| Provider | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrun | FL-wide; offers cash, loan, lease, and PPA financing | Visit Site → |
| Tesla Energy | Cash and loan sales; Powerwall battery integration | Visit Site → |
| Freedom Forever | 25-year production guarantee standard | Visit Site → |
| ADT Solar | Former Sunpro; strong FL dealer network | Visit Site → |
| Momentum Solar | NABCEP installers; good FL pricing in 2026 | Visit Site → |
| Green Home Systems | National broker connecting FL homeowners to local installers | Visit Site → |
Get My Free Solar Incentives Quotes — Compare All Providers →
Compare Solar Incentives options in Florida — free, TCPA-compliant, no spam.
Get My Free Solar Incentives Quotes →Free · No spam · FL-licensed experts
Florida Solar Incentive Program Eligibility Rules
Key Florida solar incentive statutes: §196.175 (property tax exemption); §212.08(7)(hh) (sales tax exemption); §366.91 (net metering mandate); §163.04 (HOA solar preemption). Federal: IRS Publication 946, and note that the residential Section 25D credit (Form 5695) expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025; third-party-owned systems may qualify under the commercial Section 48E credit (IRS) if construction begins before July 4, 2026 or the system is in service by December 31, 2027.
Key Terms
- ITCInvestment Tax Credit — a 30% federal solar tax credit under IRC §48E available to third-party system owners (e.g., solar lease or PPA providers); homeowners who purchase or finance their own system cannot claim a federal residential credit under Section 25D (IRS) for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
- Net MeteringPolicy allowing solar owners to sell excess electricity to the grid, reducing their utility bill.
- kWpKilowatts-peak — rated maximum output of a solar panel under standard test conditions.
- Payback PeriodYears until savings equal total installation cost. Typically 7–12 years for most US markets.
- NABCEPNorth American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners — gold-standard installer certification.
- Battery StoragePaired lithium-ion battery stores excess solar energy for outages or off-peak use.
Claim Every Florida Solar Incentive. Request Free Quotes.
Takes 60 seconds — no spam, no obligation. Licensed FL experts compare top providers for you.
How to Claim Solar Incentives in Florida — Step by Step
Calculate your potential solar tax benefit
For owner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025, the federal Section 25D (IRS) residential credit has expired, so there is no federal tax credit to apply against installation costs such as solar panels, labor, racking, inverter(s), wiring, permit fees, or battery storage. If instead you enter a solar lease or PPA, the third-party owner may claim the 30% Section 48E (IRS) commercial credit and potentially pass savings to you through lower rates. Florida state incentives remain unaffected. This is general information, not tax advice.
Confirm property tax exemption
Florida's property tax exemption is automatic — the FL county property appraiser should reflect the exemption after installation. Verify on your next annual TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice. If the solar-added value appears in your assessed value, file an informal appeal with your county property appraiser citing FL Stat §196.175.
Verify sales tax exemption at purchase
The FL sales tax exemption applies at point of sale — your installer should not charge 6% sales tax on solar equipment and installation labor. If they do, request a corrected invoice referencing FL Stat §212.08(7)(hh) before final payment.
Enroll in net metering
Submit a net metering application to your FL utility before or immediately after installation. Most FL utilities process applications in 4–6 weeks. Confirm your first bill after activation shows net metering credits — if not, contact your utility immediately.
File Form 5695
For systems installed after December 31, 2025, the federal Section 25D (IRS) residential credit has expired, so owner-purchasers cannot claim it via IRS Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits). If you entered a qualifying solar lease or PPA, the third-party owner — not you — claims any applicable Section 48E (IRS) commercial credit. Keep your installer's invoice and signed contract as documentation for any applicable state or utility incentives. This is general information, not tax advice.
Track ongoing savings
Monitor actual savings annually by comparing utility bills pre- and post-solar, factoring in any utility rate changes. The typical FL system saves $1,400–$2,700/year in electricity costs — document these savings for verification against your installer's production guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions — Florida Solar Incentives
What solar incentives are available in Florida in 2026?
Federal: The Section 25D (IRS) residential credit has expired for owner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025; no federal credit applies to a 2026 homeowner purchase. Third-party-owned systems under a lease or PPA may qualify under the commercial Section 48E (IRS) credit if construction begins before July 4, 2026 or the system is in service by December 31, 2027. Florida state: 100% property tax exemption on added solar value (FL Stat §196.175) and 6% sales tax exemption on solar equipment (FL Stat §212.08). Utility: retail-rate net metering through 2029 (FL Stat §366.91). No FL state income tax credit exists currently.
Is the federal solar tax credit available in Florida?
For Florida homeowners purchasing or financing a solar system installed after December 31, 2025, the federal residential Investment Tax Credit under Section 25D (IRS) has expired and is no longer available. No federal credit applies to a 2026 owner-purchased installation. However, if you choose a solar lease or PPA, the installer may claim the 30% commercial credit under Section 48E (IRS) and pass savings through as a lower rate, provided construction begins before July 4, 2026 or the system is in service by December 31, 2027. Florida's 100% property tax exemption (§196.175) and 6% sales tax exemption (§212.08) remain fully available regardless of ownership structure. This is general information, not tax advice.
What is the Florida property tax solar exemption?
Under FL Stat §196.175, the added value from a solar installation is completely excluded from your property's assessed value for tax purposes. A $20,000 solar system that increases your home's value by $15,000 would, without the exemption, cost an additional $125–$150/year in property taxes. The exemption makes the solar investment fully property-tax neutral.
Does Florida have any utility solar rebates?
As of 2026, Florida's major investor-owned utilities (FPL, Duke Energy FL, Tampa Electric) do not offer standalone residential solar rebates. Some municipal utilities (e.g., OUC in Orlando) have offered limited rebate programs historically but are not currently active. The primary utility-level benefit in FL is retail-rate net metering.
How long does the federal solar ITC last?
The Section 25D (IRS) residential Investment Tax Credit has expired for homeowner-purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025. There is no step-down schedule for residential purchases — the credit is simply unavailable for 2026 and later owner-installed systems. Florida homeowners who want a federal incentive path may consider a solar lease or PPA, where the third-party owner can claim the 30% commercial credit under Section 48E (IRS) if construction begins before July 4, 2026 or the system is in service by December 31, 2027. This is general information, not tax advice.
Can I claim the ITC if I lease my solar system?
No — homeowners who purchase or finance a system installed after December 31, 2025 cannot claim a federal residential tax credit under Section 25D (IRS), as that credit expired for such systems. If you sign a solar lease or PPA (Power Purchase Agreement), the installer retains system ownership and claims the ITC themselves. Leases and PPAs typically offer lower upfront cost but less long-term savings.
Does Florida's solar sales tax exemption apply to battery storage?
FL Stat §212.08(7)(hh) explicitly covers solar energy systems and components. Battery storage paired with a solar system (e.g., Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery) is generally included in the sales tax exemption, but the specific wording has evolved — confirm with your installer that battery components are included in the tax-exempt invoice line items.
How do I claim Florida's property tax solar exemption?
The exemption is administered at the county level. In most FL counties, it's applied automatically after a permit is pulled for a solar installation (the county building department notifies the property appraiser). However, some counties require the homeowner to file form DR-501SC with the county property appraiser. Check with your county appraiser's office to confirm the process in your specific county.
Sources
