Is Solar Worth It in Florida in 2026? Costs and Payback

What changedFederal credit endedFor installs after December 31, 2025

2026 cost$2.12 to $3.20 per wattPublished Florida averages, before incentives

Payback9 to 13 years10 kW example at a retail-rate utility

25-year savings$70,100Same example, before financing costs

The short answer

For many Florida homeowners, solar is still worth it in 2026, but the math is not what older articles say. The 30 percent federal tax credit for homeowners ended on December 31, 2025, so systems cost more out of pocket and take longer to pay back. What decides it for you now is mostly two things: what your system costs, and how your utility credits the power you send to the grid.

In our worked example below, a 10 kW system at a utility that credits solar at the retail rate pays for itself in roughly 9 to 13 years and saves about $70,100 over 25 years. At a utility that pays far less for exports, both numbers get worse.

What changed in 2026

Until the end of 2025, homeowners could claim 30 percent of their system's cost as a federal tax credit. That credit ended for installations completed after December 31, 2025. On a $25,000 system, that is $7,500 you no longer get back.

Many pages that still rank for this question have not caught up. Several articles dated 2026 still show prices "after the 30 percent tax credit." If an installer quotes you a price that way, ask for the price without it. Florida's own incentives are still in place: qualifying solar equipment is exempt from state sales tax, and the added home value is excluded from your property tax bill. Our incentives guide covers both.

What solar costs in Florida now

Published 2026 averages for Florida range from about $2.12 to $3.20 per watt installed, before incentives. The spread comes from different data sources, installers and system sizes, so treat it as a range, not a price.

System size	At $2.12 per watt	At $3.20 per watt
6 kW	$12,720	$19,200
8 kW	$16,960	$25,600
10 kW	$21,200	$32,000
12 kW	$25,440	$38,400

Financing adds to the total. A loan or lease spreads the cost out, but you pay interest or a markup over time. Our financing guide compares the options.

A worked example: 10 kW at a retail-rate utility

Here is the math for one realistic system, with every assumption shown so you can check it against your own quote:

A 10 kW system producing about 14,500 kWh a year, typical Florida output.
Every kWh valued at 14.18 cents, the statewide average residential rate in our calculator. That holds at utilities that credit solar at the retail rate, like FPL, Duke, TECO and FPU.
Electric rates rising 3 percent a year, and panel output fading 0.5 percent a year.
No federal tax credit.

10 kW system: cost vs. 25 years of savings

Cost at $2.12 per watt

$21,200

Cost at $3.20 per watt

$32,000

25 years of savings

$70,100

First-year savings are about $2,100. The system pays for itself in roughly 9 to 13 years, leaving about $38,100 to $48,900 ahead after 25 years, before any financing costs.

This is our own illustration, not a quote. At a city utility or co-op that pays less for the power you export, savings will be lower unless you use most of your solar power at home.

Your utility changes the answer

Two homes with the same roof and the same system can get very different results in Florida, because utilities credit solar in very different ways. The four investor-owned utilities, FPL, Duke, TECO and FPU, credit exports at the retail rate each month under the state net metering rule. Many city utilities and co-ops pay far less: JEA pays its fuel rate, Peace River pays 5.685 cents and West Florida Electric pays 5.2 cents.

At those utilities, solar can still be worth it, but the value comes from power you use at home, not power you export. Find your utility at solar by utility, see our full net metering breakdown for every utility's exact rate, or run your own numbers in our calculator.

Solar and your home's resale value

Research consistently finds that owned solar adds value when you sell. Zillow's 2019 analysis found homes with solar sold for about 4.1 percent more nationally, and listed Florida among the top 10 states for that premium. An earlier Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study, which included Florida home sales, found buyers were willing to pay roughly $15,000 more for a home with an average-sized system.

Two catches. The premium is for owned systems: a lease usually has to be transferred to the buyer or bought out, which can slow a sale. And in Florida, the added value from solar is excluded from your property tax assessment, so you do not pay more tax for it. If you are selling or buying a home that already has solar, see our guide to selling or buying a house with solar.

Suburban home with rooftop solar panels and a for sale sign in the front yard — Owned solar tends to add resale value. Leased systems can complicate a sale.

Common claims, checked

A lot of what circulates about solar in Florida is out of date or half true. Here is how common claims hold up in 2026:

What you may hear	What is actually true
Solar pays for itself in 5 to 7 years.	That was closer to true with the 30 percent federal credit. Without it, published Florida estimates run about 9 to 13 years.
You can deduct 30 percent on your taxes.	The federal homeowner credit ended on December 31, 2025. A quote that subtracts it is out of date.
No-cost solar means free panels.	It almost always means $0 down: a loan, a lease or PACE financing that you pay back for years. Florida does not allow power purchase agreements for rooftop solar.
Solar keeps your lights on in a storm.	Grid-tied panels shut off during an outage. Only a battery keeps power flowing. Our insurance guide covers storm damage.
Every Florida utility pays full price for your extra power.	FPL, Duke, TECO and FPU credit exports at the retail rate each month under the state rule. Many city utilities and co-ops pay far less for power you send back.
Your HOA can say no.	Florida Statute 163.04 prevents an outright ban. It can only set reasonable placement rules.

Does it depend on where you live in Florida?

Yes. The sun is strong everywhere in the state, but utilities, building codes and storm risk change from region to region:

South Florida: FPL territory, and Miami-Dade and Broward follow the stricter High-Velocity Hurricane Zone wind rules.
Southwest Florida: FPL and LCEC credit solar very differently, so check which one is on your bill.
Tampa Bay: TECO and Duke credit solar at the retail rate, and Tampa had the strongest output of the seven Florida cities we modeled.
Central Florida: The most mixed utility terms in the state, from OUC's 2026 change to KUA's unposted rate.
North Florida: JEA credits at its fuel rate, well below retail, and winter output dips more than further south.
The Panhandle: Co-op fixed charges of $35 to $45 a month leave a bigger bill after solar than the City of Tallahassee's $10.

So, is it worth it for you?

Solar tends to be worth it in Florida if you own your home and plan to stay at least 10 years, your roof has plenty of life left, your utility credits solar at or near the retail rate, and you buy or finance the system rather than lease it. It is a harder call if your utility pays little for exports, your roof needs replacing soon, or you expect to move in a few years.

The fastest way to find out is to run your own bill through our calculator. It uses your utility's actual rate and warns you when your utility credits solar below retail.

How it works

Your estimate in three steps

Enter your billYour ZIP code, your utility and last month's bill.
See your estimateA yearly savings range based on your utility's rates and Florida sun.
Choose what's nextAsk for a quote call if you want real pricing, or just keep the number.

See what solar could save you

It takes about a minute. You don't need a site visit, a commitment or a sales call to see your number.

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Common questions

Is solar worth it in Florida in 2026?

For many homeowners, yes, but the math changed. The 30 percent federal tax credit for homeowners ended on December 31, 2025, so payback now runs longer. In our worked example, a 10 kW system at a retail-rate utility pays for itself in roughly 9 to 13 years and saves about $70,100 over 25 years. Your utility's credit rules matter as much as the price.

Is the federal solar tax credit still available in Florida?

No. The 30 percent federal Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for installations completed after December 31, 2025. Some articles and quotes still subtract it, so if an installer quotes a price after the federal credit, ask them to show the price without it.

How much does solar cost in Florida in 2026?

Published 2026 averages for Florida range from about $2.12 to $3.20 per watt installed, before incentives. At those prices, a 10 kW system runs roughly $21,200 to $32,000. Your quote depends on your roof, your equipment and your installer.

How long does solar take to pay for itself in Florida?

Without the federal credit, published Florida estimates run about 9 to 13 years. Our own worked example lands at roughly 9 to 13 years for a 10 kW system at a utility that credits solar at the retail rate. At a utility that pays much less for exports, payback runs longer.

Does solar increase home value in Florida?

Research says yes, if you own the system. Zillow's 2019 analysis found homes with solar sold for about 4.1 percent more nationally and listed Florida among the top 10 states for that premium. Florida also excludes the added value from your property tax assessment. Leased systems usually do not add the same value and can complicate a sale.

Do solar panels survive hurricanes in Florida?

Rooftop systems in Florida must be installed to Florida Building Code wind requirements, and Miami-Dade and Broward counties apply the stricter High-Velocity Hurricane Zone rules. Well-installed systems commonly come through storms, but no equipment is storm-proof, so check your homeowners insurance before you install.

Will solar keep my power on during a hurricane outage?

Not by itself. Grid-tied solar panels shut off automatically when the grid goes down, for the safety of line workers. To keep power during an outage, you need a battery system paired with your panels.

Can my HOA stop me from going solar in Florida?

Not outright. Florida Statute 163.04 bars homeowners' associations from banning solar, or from adopting a rule that has the effect of banning it. An association can direct where on the roof panels go, generally facing south or within 45 degrees east or west of south, but only if that placement doesn't impair how well the system works. Our full guide to HOA solar rules covers the process if your association pushes back, and how condos differ from single-family HOAs.

Sources: EnergySage: Florida solar cost, 2026 · Florida solar installation cost 2026 · Aurora Solar: Zillow and Berkeley Lab home value research. The worked example is our own calculation using the assumptions listed above.