Is solar worth it in Florida in 2026?

1. Compare the whole cost

Start with 12 months of utility bills when you can. Add the amounts and divide by 12 for an average monthly bill. Note your electricity use in kilowatt-hours (kWh), seasonal changes and any unusual charges. One hot month can give the wrong picture.

Ask the provider to show expected production by month, shading assumptions, and how those figures translate into utility purchases and credits. An output estimate is not proof of savings. If the remaining utility bill is missing, the comparison is not complete.

• Write down the first-year solar payment and every scheduled change.
• Include fixed utility charges, minimum bills and electricity you still buy.
• Include insurance changes, maintenance charges and battery payments if applicable.
• List deposits, fees, roof work and removal/reinstallation costs separately.
• Compare total contract cost and obligations, not only the first monthly payment.

For a long-term view, first hold your utility rate steady. Then review how different usage or rate assumptions change the result. Do not treat a predicted utility increase as a fact. A proposal should still explain its costs without relying on a forecast.

2. Read the lease or loan—not just the payment

Lease: someone else generally owns the equipment. Check the term, annual payment increase (often called an escalator), total scheduled payments, maintenance duties, buyout options and transfer terms. Ask for a year-by-year payment schedule. A low starting payment can change.

Loan: compare the cash price with the amount financed. Ask for the APR, fees, term, total payments, prepayment rules and any lien or security interest. Check whether the quoted payment changes after a planned lump-sum payment. Do not assume you will receive money to make that payment.

The CFPB warns that some solar loans contain hidden markups and confusing payment terms. Ask the lender for the full price and every payment change in writing. [1]

Cash: there may be no solar loan payment, but the purchase still has a real upfront cost. Compare installation, insurance, care and future equipment costs over the time you expect to own the system.

Do not subtract an assumed tax credit, rebate or grant from your budget. If an incentive is part of a proposal, verify the current rules, who receives it and your own eligibility with the responsible agency and a qualified tax professional. This guide promises no incentive.

Florida’s published solar disclosure law lists information to review in an agreement. Use it as another checklist, and verify the current law before signing. [2]

3. Check the roof and insurance first

Ask a qualified professional to assess the roof’s condition, age and remaining life, along with shade, usable space and structural needs. If roof work is likely during the solar term, get written pricing or a clear process for removing and reinstalling panels. Ask who covers leaks and which roof warranties remain valid.

Contact your own insurer before signing. Ask whether the proposed system is covered, whether your premium or deductible changes, and whether there are equipment, roof or liability requirements. Your neighbor’s policy does not establish your coverage. Keep the insurer’s written response.

The Department of Energy’s homeowner guide explains why roof suitability, ownership and installer selection matter. [3]

4. Use your utility’s rules

Look at the utility name on your actual bill. Florida has investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities and cooperatives. Do not assume that a rule or bill example from one applies to another.

Net metering describes how eligible electricity sent to the grid is measured and credited. The Florida Administrative Code provides a rule for covered electric public utilities; your utility’s tariff and interconnection agreement supply the details for your account. [4]

• What fixed charges or minimum monthly charges remain?
• How are imports and exports measured and credited?
• Do unused credits roll forward, expire or settle at a different rate?
• What fees, system-size limits, insurance or equipment requirements apply?
• What approvals are needed before the system can operate?

For example, FPL publishes its own net metering FAQs. If FPL is your utility, check those rules and your account’s terms; do not use them as a statewide promise. [5]

Ask for the estimated remaining utility bill and the calculation behind it. Verify tariff assumptions directly with your utility. Connecting panels does not mean closing your utility account.

5. Separate maintenance from warranty

Find out who monitors the system, handles faults, and pays for labor, visits and replacement parts. Ask about cleaning needs for your site rather than assuming a maintenance schedule.

Read equipment, workmanship, roof-penetration and production warranty terms separately. They may have different providers, lengths, exclusions and claim steps. A panel warranty is not automatically a promise to pay your utility bill. Ask what happens if the installer stops operating, and save the manufacturer contacts and contract.

6. Plan for moving and batteries

If you move: ask whether the buyer must qualify to take over a lease or loan, whether the balance must be paid, and what transfer or buyout fees apply. Get the process in writing. Do not assume a future buyer will accept the contract or pay more for the home.

If you add a battery: compare its cost separately from solar. Backup value and bill savings are different questions. Ask which circuits it serves, usable capacity, power limits, expected runtime for those loads and replacement terms. Runtime depends on usage, equipment, weather and available charge.

Solar alone generally stops supplying your home during a grid outage. Backup needs equipment designed for that job. Do not assume a battery powers all appliances or guarantees a lower bill.

7. Decide only when the gaps are filled

A useful proposal lets you explain the full payment, remaining utility charges, roof and insurance duties, care, warranties and moving terms in your own words. If a key number is missing, ask for it. Compare more than one written proposal when practical.

Waiting—or staying with the utility—can be the right choice. A high bill might also justify reviewing insulation, AC use or an energy assessment. You should not need to sign immediately to understand your options.

A rough bill range is enough to request a conversation. No credit check or sensitive bill upload to start.