As of August 2026, the key Florida solar statistics: the average residential electricity rate is about 15.2 cents per kWh (EIA), a typical 7 kW rooftop system produces about 10,811 kWh a year, installed cost runs $2.40 to $3.10 per watt, and simple payback is about 12 years with full-retail net metering plus state sales-tax and property-tax exemptions. Florida ranks 3rd in the nation for total installed solar capacity (SEIA, 2025).
Updated for 2026.
Florida homeowners weighing solar want real numbers, not a sales pitch, so this page gathers the ones that matter in one place, each dated and sourced. The average residential electricity rate here is about 15.2 cents per kWh (EIA, as of May 2026), and a typical 7 kW rooftop system produces about 10,811 kWh a year. Below you will find installed cost, simple payback, per-city production, how each utility handles net metering, and the current state incentives, updated for 2026.
Key statistics: Florida solar at a glance (2026)
Key numbers (Florida, 2026)
- Average residential rate: 15.2 cents per kWh
- Typical system size: 7 kW
- Typical annual production: 10,811 kWh per year
- Typical installed cost: $2.40 to $3.10 per watt
- Estimated system cost: $16,800 to $21,700
- Full-retail net metering: 1:1 at FPL, Duke, and TECO
- Simple payback: about 12 years
According to MySolarFY’s analysis (August 2026), a typical 7 kW system in Florida produces about 10,811 kWh a year, offsetting power that costs about 15.2 cents per kWh. These are our own compiled figures for Florida; see Methodology below for exactly how each was produced. For the statewide rules behind these numbers, see our Florida solar guide.
| Metric | Value | Source (dated) |
|---|---|---|
| Average residential rate | 15.2 cents per kWh | EIA, as of May 2026 |
| Typical system size | 7 kW | MySolarFY, typical residential array |
| Typical annual production | 10,811 kWh per year | NREL PVWatts v8, as of August 2026 |
| Typical installed cost | $2.40 to $3.10 per watt | MySolarFY cost range, as of August 2026 |
| Estimated system cost | $16,800 to $21,700 | MySolarFY, 7 kW, as of August 2026 |
| Installed capacity rank | 3rd nationally | SEIA state fact sheet, as of 2025 |
| Simple payback | about 12 years | MySolarFY analysis, as of August 2026 |
Every figure is dated and attributed. Rate is the EIA residential average for Florida; production is a modeled NREL PVWatts v8 run for a 7 kW array; cost and payback are MySolarFY estimates for planning, not a quote. Confirm current terms before you decide.
Solar cost and payback by city in Florida
Production and payback vary within a state because the solar resource and the local rate shift by location. The table below models a 7 kW system for representative Florida cities using NREL PVWatts v8.
| City | System size | Annual production | Est. system cost | Simple payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 7 kW | 10,811 kWh per year | $19,250 | about 11.7 years |
| Miami | 7 kW | 11,070 kWh per year | $19,250 | about 11.5 years |
| Tampa | 7 kW | 10,979 kWh per year | $19,250 | about 11.6 years |
| Jacksonville | 7 kW | 10,184 kWh per year | $19,250 | about 12.5 years |
Production is a modeled NREL PVWatts v8 run per city ZIP; cost and payback are MySolarFY estimates that hold today’s rate flat and ignore financing. A written quote for your roof beats any table.
Utility rate and net metering comparison
Your utility sets the delivery rate and administers net metering, which is the credit you earn for the power your roof sends back to the grid. See how net metering credits your solar exports for the mechanics.
| Utility | Residential rate | Net metering treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Power & Light (FPL) | Around the Florida residential average, near 15 cents per kWh all-in | Full retail 1:1 net metering credits for residential systems (Fla. PSC Rule 25-6.065) |
| Duke Energy Florida | Around the Florida residential average, near 15 cents per kWh all-in | Full retail 1:1 net metering credits for residential systems (Fla. PSC Rule 25-6.065) |
| Tampa Electric (TECO) | Around the Florida residential average, near 15 cents per kWh all-in | Full retail 1:1 net metering credits for residential systems (Fla. PSC Rule 25-6.065) |
Net metering rules are set by state law and the utility commission, not the installer. Confirm your utility’s current tariff before you size a system.
Florida solar incentive stack (2026)
State programs, net metering, and the tax exemptions make up the Florida incentive stack. These go to the system owner, so on a lease or PPA the company that owns the panels keeps the incentive while the net-metering bill credit follows your account.
Full retail net metering
Residential systems earn 1:1 full-retail net-metering credits at FPL, Duke Energy Florida, and Tampa Electric. The 2022 bill (HB 741/SB 1024) that would have phased this down was vetoed by Governor DeSantis on April 27, 2022, so full-retail crediting remains in effect (Fla. Stat. 366.91 and FL PSC Rule 25-6.065, as of August 2026).
Solar sales tax exemption
Qualifying solar energy systems and components are 100% exempt from Florida’s 6% state sales and use tax (Fla. Stat. 212.08(7)(hh), as of August 2026).
Solar property tax exemption
The added home value from a residential solar system is exempt from property tax assessment, so going solar does not raise your assessed value (Fla. Stat. 193.624, as of August 2026).
No state income tax credit
Florida levies no personal income tax, so there is no state solar income tax credit. The state-level benefits are the sales-tax and property-tax exemptions plus full-retail net metering (Florida Department of Revenue, as of August 2026).
The federal homeowner credit has ended, but Florida’s programs have not. The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended December 31, 2025, so a Florida homeowner who buys solar with cash or a loan in 2026 cannot claim it (IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit, as of 2026). State net metering and the incentives listed above were not affected by that change. For the full timeline, see what the federal solar tax credit change means and our state solar incentives overview.
Methodology and sources
- Electricity rate: the latest EIA Form residential retail price for Florida (EIA retail sales, as of May 2026).
- Production: modeled with NREL PVWatts v8 for a 7 kW south-facing array at the city ZIP (NREL PVWatts v8 documentation, as of August 2026).
- Cost and payback: MySolarFY estimates built from installed cost per watt and the EIA rate, holding today’s rate flat and ignoring financing.
- Capacity ranking: the SEIA Florida state fact sheet, which ranks Florida 3rd nationally for total installed solar capacity (SEIA Florida, as of 2025).
- Incentives and net metering: the Florida Public Service Commission and the DSIRE incentive database (DSIRE, as of August 2026).
- Assumptions: a 7 kW system, standard losses, and a south-facing array. Your roof, usage, and financing change the result, so treat these as planning figures, not a quote.
Citing this data
Citing this data?
Cite as: “MySolarFY, Florida Solar Data & Statistics 2026, accessed August 21, 2026.” Data compiled by MySolarFY from EIA (residential electricity rate), NREL PVWatts v8 (modeled production), SEIA (capacity ranking), DSIRE and the Florida Public Service Commission (incentives and net metering). Figures are dated in each table above.
Journalists and researchers may quote these statistics with attribution to MySolarFY and a link to https://mysolarfy.com/florida-solar-data-statistics-2026/.
See what solar programs are available in your Florida ZIP code
Incentives, net-metering credits, installer availability, and electric rates change by utility and location. Enter your ZIP and we will match you with licensed installers who serve your area.
Free to check. About a minute. No credit pull to check.
How to choose a solar installer in Florida
Rather than chasing a “best installer” list, screen any company against objective criteria: NABCEP certification, a valid state license, a written workmanship and equipment warranty, real experience with your utility’s interconnection, and a transparent quote that uses today’s incentive values. For a checklist, see the right questions to ask a solar installer. MySolarFY matches you with licensed installers that serve your area so you can compare real local quotes side by side, with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average solar cost in Florida in 2026? A typical residential system in Florida runs about $2.40 to $3.10 per watt installed before any incentives (MySolarFY cost range, as of August 2026). A 7 kW system is a common size for a single-family home. Cost varies with roof, equipment, and installer, so use a written quote for your own numbers.
How much electricity does a solar system produce in Florida? A modeled 7 kW array produces about 10,811 kWh a year in Florida (NREL PVWatts v8, as of August 2026). Production drives both your net-metering credits and your payback, so estimate your specific roof rather than a generic number.
Did the federal solar tax credit end? Yes for homeowners. The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended December 31, 2025, so a Florida homeowner who buys solar in 2026 cannot claim it (IRS, as of 2026). State programs and net metering were not affected by that change.
Reviewed by the SolarFY Editorial Team. Figures were verified against the linked EIA, NREL, SEIA, DSIRE, and Florida Public Service Commission sources as of August 2026, following our data and methodology standards; rates, incentive values, and net-metering terms can change, so confirm current terms before you decide. MySolarFY does not provide tax or financial advice; consult a licensed professional. Learn more about the MySolarFY team and how we work.
MySolarFY is a free service that matches homeowners with licensed solar installers. We are not an installer, financing company, or government program. Solar panels are not free and any monthly payments apply. “No up-front cost” refers to qualifying lease or PPA financing, where eligible homeowners may have no out-of-pocket cost at installation; lease and PPA terms may include an annual escalator and total payments may exceed a cash purchase, and on a lease or PPA the incentives go to the company that owns the system. Homeowners do not get the federal residential credit that ended after December 31, 2025. Eligibility, savings, incentives, and rates vary and are not guaranteed. See our full disclaimer.
