How much do solar panels cost in Florida in 2026?

Solar panel prices in Florida by system size

Cash prices for a roof-mounted system from a state-licensed Florida solar contractor, October 2026, anchored on EnergySage’s Florida marketplace ($2.12 per watt at 13 kW) and SolarReviews’ Florida figure ($2.84 at 7 kW). Quotes land about 10% either side. The sales-tax exemption is already in. The right-hand column uses Florida sunlight, 1,424 to 1,661 kWh per kW a year.

Why small systems cost more per watt

Permits, interconnection, the site visit, the inverter and the crew’s first day cost about the same whether you put up 10 panels or 30. On a small system those fixed costs are spread over fewer watts, which is why a 4 kW array costs 44% more per watt than a 14 kW one. It is also why “a few panels to start” is rarely the cheap way in.

What the price includes, and what it does not

Included: panels, the inverter (string or micro), racking and flashing, wiring and electrical work, permits, the interconnection application, monitoring, and in Florida the engineering letter the wind-load permit needs.

Usually extra: a main electrical panel upgrade ($1,500 to $3,000 when the home’s panel is full or under 200 amps), reroofing (installers will not mount on a roof with under about ten years left, and tile costs more to attach to), and tree work.

Florida solar incentives in 2026

Sales tax. Solar equipment is exempt from Florida’s 6% state sales tax and the local surtax (Florida Statutes 212.08(7)(hh)). It never shows up on the quote, and it is already in the prices above.

Property tax. The value a system adds to a home is excluded from the property-tax assessment (193.624). Your array does not raise your tax bill.

Net metering. FPL, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric and FPUC follow PSC Rule 25-6.065: exported kWh offset imported ones at retail, unused credits roll forward for up to twelve months, and the year-end balance is paid at the utility’s as-available cost. Municipals and co-ops set their own terms, and the spread between them is the biggest lever on your payback.

Businesses and rentals. A system owned through a business, including rental property, qualifies for the 30% federal investment credit (Section 48E) and 100% bonus depreciation when it is placed in service by December 31, 2027. Tax-exempt owners take the 30% as a cash payment. The estimate shows that panel when you pick a non-home property type. Not tax advice.

Is it worth it at that price? Payback by utility

The price is similar across Florida; the credit rules are not. At Florida Public Utilities (FPUC), Tampa Electric (TECO) and Duke Energy Florida, with full retail net metering at 15.3¢ to 16.7¢, a typical home pays back in about 10 years. At Clay Electric Cooperative, West Florida Electric Cooperative and Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) it is 23 to 28 years, because they pay an avoided-cost rate for exports instead of banking them at retail. The statewide table ranks all 27.

Typical electrically heated home, 1,100 kWh a month, net-zero system, 2.7% a year rate growth. Each utility links to its page and the schedule the figure was read from.

Cost by city

The same 1,100 kWh home runs about $19,700 in Key West, $21,300 in Tampa and $22,100 in Sanford: the sunnier the city, the fewer panels it takes. Which utility serves the city matters more than any of that, and each city’s page shows its payback.

Cash price of the net-zero system for a 1,100 kWh home at each city’s sunlight. Each city links to its own page, with payback on the local utility.

What moves a quote up or down

Tile and metal roofs, the HVHZ engineering in Miami-Dade and Broward, HOA review (Florida Statute 163.04 stops an HOA from banning solar, though it can weigh in on placement), and dealer fees on solar loans (15 to 30% folded into the loan; ask for the cash price). Leases and power-purchase agreements are legal in Florida, but they hand the exemptions and most of the savings to whoever owns the system. Our estimate assumes you own it.