How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Florida?

Average Solar Panel Costs in Florida

Cost of Solar Panels per Watt in Florida

The average cost of solar panels in Florida is $2.57 per watt, with most people paying between $2.18 and $2.94 per watt. For a little supplemental solar energy or an extremely low-demand home, you may get away with a system of just 3kW. However, most homes use systems of between 5 and 10kW. 

Florida Solar Panel Costs by City

Where you live—even within the same state—can greatly impact how much you'll pay. For example, you could pay as little as $15,500 in Tampa, whereas you could pay up to $45,800 in Miami. 

Fort Lauderdale

The average cost to install solar panels in Fort Lauderdale is $33,150, or between $20,500 and $45,800. This is one of the pricier places to live in Florida, with the average cost of living 21% higher than the national average. The cost of living is higher, including gas, transport fees, property costs, base materials, and the price of labor.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville solar panel installation typically costs $27,350, with a price range of $21,700 to $33,000. With a cost of living that's 6% less than the national average, homeowners in Jacksonville can enjoy less costly labor and base materials. 

Miami

The average cost of solar panel installation in Miami is $33,150, ranging from $20,500 to $45,800. This is pretty pricey compared to the rest of the state because Miami typically has a higher cost of living than many other locations, with gas prices significantly higher than the national average. These two factors drive up the cost of all goods and services, including base material prices and the hourly cost of labor. 

Orlando

Having solar panels installed in Orlando costs around $26,000, with most people spending between $20,000 and $32,000. Orlando is typical of Florida in terms of cost of living and gas prices, so the average solar panel cost here is similar to the median cost across the whole state. In fact, Orlando's cost of living is 1% lower than the national average.

Tampa

Solar panel installation in Tampa costs around $23,250, with most people paying $15,500 to $31,000. Costs are lower in Tampa because the cost of living is 5% lower than the national average, which helps to keep the prices of materials and labor down, too.

Florida Solar Panel Cost Factors

Several factors impact the cost of solar panel installation in Florida. The type of panels you choose, the brand, and the labor cost in your area all impact how much you'll pay.

Cell Type

The type of cell you choose impacts the cost of solar panels. The most affordable options are polycrystalline and thin-film cells. Monocrystalline cells cost more but perform better, are more efficient, and last longer. Take a look at the typical costs for a 7kW system installed in Florida based on different cell types. 

• Polycrystalline: Made of silicon crystal fragments bonded together

• Thin-film: Best for moderate sun, not bright sun; has the lowest profile

• Monocrystalline: Made of whole silicon crystals; most efficient option

Inverter Type

The type of inverter impacts the cost of your solar panels and their setup. The inverter changes the sun's energy into electricity suitable for use in your home. 

You'll pay between $150 and $220 each for a micro inverter. You need one micro inverter per panel, so if you have a solar array of five panels, you'll need five micro inverters, increasing your project cost. However, micro inverters are the most reliable and efficient type. If one panel in the array fails, the individual inverters keep the rest of the panels working and supplying energy.

Your contractor may also recommend you add power optimizers at around $130 to $150 per unit, with one optimizer per micro inverter. These devices optimize the power output across all panels to maximize energy efficiency.

For string inverters, expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per unit. However, you only have one string inverter per string of panels. While this can be more cost-efficient, it's less energy efficient and practical. If one panel fails in an array with a string inverter, all the panels in that string stop working until the faulty one is fixed, meaning no solar electricity for you. 

You'll also need a battery-based inverter if you have a solar battery storage system. This costs around $2,000 to $2,300. Battery-based inverters change the sun's energy into storable energy. You'll need one battery inverter per solar storage battery.

Roof Pitch

Roof pitch and height are important cost factors. The steeper the roof pitch, the more challenging the installation, so you'll pay a premium for labor. Working above two stories also carries increased risk and requires more time and care, attracting a higher labor cost. 

Panel Brand

The brand of panels you choose can significantly affect project costs. If you shop for a good deal, you may get a discount on the solar panel installation costs as part of the sale. Do your research, shop around, and look for the right balance of value and quality.

Here’s a list of common solar panel brands available in Florida:

• SunPower 

• ADT Solar 

• Solar Source 

• SunVena Solar

• Goldin Solar

• Blue Raven Solar

• Solar Ray

Installation

The labor cost in Florida is around $0.88 to $1.14 per watt, so a 6kW system should set you back about $6,160 to $7,980. Labor costs range so much due to location, the height and pitch of the roof, how difficult or dangerous the job is, and how much time is required to get the job done. 

Maintenance and Repairs

For a yearly service contract, expect to pay between $400 and $800. An annual solar panel service contract gets you a yearly inspection and tune-up and usually covers minor repairs, like damaged wiring. Outside of this, solar panel maintenance costs are minimal. However, if you don't bother with an annual service and inspection, minor issues could become major and costly problems.

Solar Incentives and Rebates in Florida

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, residents of Florida are entitled to the federal solar tax credit of 30%. Additionally, there's a property tax exemption on the value added to the home from the solar installation. There's also a sales tax exemption where you forego the typical 6% Florida sales tax. Lastly, the net metering lets you sell back your excess solar energy to the electric grid. 

Is It Worth Getting Solar Panels in Florida?

Florida is a great choice for solar energy because of the huge amount of sunshine it gets: a full month more than the U.S. average so there's an abundance of solar energy to harness. 

The average payback time for solar panels in Florida is 10 years, but the panels will last much longer than this. After 10 years, the panels should have paid for themselves. And, of course, you can sell back any excess electricity at the full retail value, helping to recoup the cost of the panels faster and turn a profit. 

Solar panels are an eco-friendly investment and can increase a home's resale value by over 4% and reduce your home's carbon footprint. Additionally, if you regularly get power outages or want to rely less on the electrical grid, you can pay for solar battery storage to keep a supply of energy ready for outages.