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Did you know that St. Petersburg, Florida has won the Guinness World Record for the most sunshine days in a row? Florida is called the Sunshine State for a reason. Free clean energy comes to you every day, why don’t you consider using solar energy?

We know that for most people, the most obvious disadvantage is the initial cost. Purchasing a complete solar system is a major commitment, but in a state that consumes 90% of energy is electricity, solar energy is a worthwhile investment. It is not only better for the environment, but also better for your budget.

The number of sunny days enjoyed by Florida residents each year is much higher than the national average, and solar installation costs are low, which makes solar an obvious choice. Don't believe us? Let's take a look at the numbers.

Before we go too far, let's talk about the obvious. Solar technology is just like everything else. The price and quality will vary depending on where you live, the product manufacturer, and the installer. We will stick to the average of this article, so don't be surprised if these numbers are slightly different from those you find through other sources. For a more personalized estimate, please try our solar cost calculator. To get a truly personalized estimate, you should consult your local solar system installer. Okay, let's get started.

The average cost of a solar installation in Florida is approximately $2.62 per watt. This means that the cost of a 10kW system is approximately US$26,000. This cost usually includes panels, wiring, installation equipment, and installation labor. There are also some factors that affect the cost, please check this article for more details.

Based on the average electricity consumption in Florida, you need an 8kW to 10kW system to specifically switch to solar power. Everyone’s needs are different, so here is a chart showing the average cost of solar systems of different sizes, just to give you an idea of ​​what to expect.

You don't have to install a complete system from the beginning. You can choose to install a smaller system and then expand it according to your budget. Not all solar systems can be easily expanded, so make sure to discuss this plan with the installer before purchasing. A good installer will help you design your system accordingly so that you can avoid any costly issues when upgrading.

Now that you have seen the worst situation, you can relax and recover from the impact of the sticker. There is good news ahead! These prices are based on average costs and there are no incentives or rebates.

Although Florida does not have any statewide solar rebates, there are still some benefits.

First, Florida is a net metering state. Net metering is a program that allows you to connect a solar system to the grid and sell any additional electricity generated by the system to the power company. Florida is one of the few states where you can earn a retail price per kilowatt hour. With more than 270 sunny days per year, your system is likely to generate additional power, especially if you are already energy conscious.

Second, Florida provides two solar tax exemptions. Residential solar installations are exempt from sales tax, so you can save up to 6%. Florida also provides property tax exemptions for solar energy systems, so you don’t have to worry about your property tax increase after switching to solar energy. Considering that a complete solar system can increase the value of your home by up to 4%, this is good news.

Federal Tax Credit If you have been researching solar energy in the United States, you may have heard of the solar investment tax credit. This credit allows you to deduct 26% of the installation cost from federal taxes. However, this kind of credit is not permanent and will drop to 22% by 2023, so now is definitely a good time to achieve leapfrog development.

According to the Energy Information Administration, as of August 2021, the average electricity cost in Florida was 11.97 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), slightly lower than the national average. Unfortunately, the daily electricity consumption of Floridians is nearly 30% higher than the national average, which means that electricity bills are still somewhat high.

Most of the electricity used in the Sunshine State is used in electrical and electronic products, followed by air conditioners. Switching to more energy-efficient appliances can reduce your monthly bills, but you can still expect to spend approximately $1,500 to $1,700 per year on electricity bills.

Let's go back to the pleasant numbers, shall we? Now is the time to discuss the peak daylight hours. Sunlight peak hours are exactly what they sound like, they are the times during the whole day when your panels will be exposed to the most direct sunlight. As you can imagine, these times vary from place to place and change throughout the year. Fortunately, the maximum sunshine hours in Florida are much higher than average.

In summer, you can get about 6.16 hours of peak sunlight every day. In winter, this number drops to 5.26 hours, which is still about 1.26 hours, which is the national average. So what does this mean for your solar system? In short, more sunlight means more energy, and more energy means more electricity and a shorter payback period for the solar system.

This is another chart, this time showing how long it will take to repay your solar system. Keep in mind that these are averages based on good conditions (5.71 hours of peak sunlight per day), but these estimates are close enough to give you a rough idea of ​​what to expect.

As you can see, based on current electricity costs, it will take approximately 8 to 10 years for your solar system to pay for itself. Ten years may seem long, but compared to the duration of a typical solar system design, ten years does not seem to be long at all.

Most solar panel manufacturers have a warranty period of 25 to 30 years for their panels. They do this because these panels are built to operate at maximum efficiency for at least 25 to 30 years. After that period of time, the system will still generate electricity at a lower efficiency. This means that with a well-maintained solar system, you will enjoy clean energy for more than 30 years, while also saving you water and electricity bills.

Even if you only calculate the first 20 to 22 years after the system recovers the cost, you still hope to save about 30,000 to 35,000 US dollars in electricity bills, and the premise is that the electricity bills will not increase during this period.

As more rebates and rewards continue to emerge, you can earn your money back faster than expected and can enjoy more savings. And don’t forget all the money you will continue to save after the first 30 years, when you still don’t have to worry about paying your electricity bill.

There is no doubt that solar energy is worth investing in in Florida! Florida has everything needed for perfect solar system conditions: plenty of sunlight, low installation costs, and various solar incentives. Who can ask for more?

Check out our Green Home and Green Living page to learn how to try solar energy without major commitments. In the long run, even small changes, such as using solar energy to charge electronic devices, can have a big impact. When you choose clean and environmentally friendly solar energy, you will never go wrong.

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