In this explainer

Florida gives homeowners no state solar credit at all (0%). Yet a 2026 cash system in Miami pays for itself in about 11.4 yrs - the fastest of any metro we track. Here is why.

General information, not professional financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice. The Dreamy Leads Research Desk is an editorial and data team, not a licensed advisor.

Chapters

  1. 0:05 What changed for 2026
  2. 0:29 The Miami system and what it costs
  3. 0:52 Why no state credit still beats every metro
  4. 1:12 How to read your payback

See your Miami numbers

The figures in this explainer come from our live dataset. Explore them for your own state or metro:

Full transcript

What changed for 2026

Start with the federal rule, because it sets the baseline. the federal residential solar credit (Section 25D) expired for systems purchased with cash in 2026; a lease or PPA may still capture 30 percent through the Section 48E commercial credit. That is why the 2026 cash payback in Miami looks different from older estimates. This is general information, not advice.

The Miami system and what it costs

A typical Miami system is about 10.2 kW. As a 2026 cash purchase it runs around $29,580, since the federal residential credit no longer applies to a cash buy. Through a lease or power-purchase agreement that captures the 30 percent commercial credit, the comparable basis is closer to $20,706 - a different ownership path, not the cash price.

Why no state credit still beats every metro

Now the Florida advantage. The state offers no dedicated solar tax credit (0%), but its net-metering rule is full retail, and your electricity rate is about $0.141/kWh. Full-retail net metering means every kilowatt-hour you export offsets one you would have bought, which is the single biggest reason Florida payback is short.

How to read your payback

Here is the honest 2026 picture for Miami. As a cash purchase with no federal credit, the payback is about 11.4 yrs - the fastest of any metro in our dataset. Through a lease or PPA that captures the 30 percent commercial credit, it is closer to 8 yrs. No state credit needed; full-retail net metering does the work. Run your exact bill and roof in our explorer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida offer a state solar tax credit in 2026?

No. Florida has no dedicated state income-tax credit for residential solar, which is why our state-credit figure shows zero. What Florida does offer is full-retail net metering and a sales-tax exemption on solar equipment, plus a property-tax exclusion so panels do not raise your assessed home value. Those policies, combined with strong year-round sun, are what make Florida payback periods among the shortest in the country even without a credit. This is general information, not tax advice.

What is full retail net metering and why does it matter so much in Florida?

Full-retail net metering means your utility credits the power you send back to the grid at the same price you pay to buy it. Every exported kilowatt-hour cancels out one you would otherwise purchase, so your panels are worth their full bill-offset value rather than a discounted export rate. In states that switched to avoided-cost or net-billing rules, exports are worth far less, which is the main reason a no-credit state like Florida can still outpace states that pay more per kilowatt-hour.

Sources