Learn about solar panels, battery backup, EV charging, financing and ways to better manage your home's energy. Real answers. Florida-specific information.
The residential 30% federal clean energy credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Florida still provides residential solar sales-tax and property-tax assessment exemptions, while net metering and utility programs remain important ongoing considerations.
OUC is a municipal utility with its own TruNet Solar rules. Newer systems follow a time-based export-credit schedule, including a full-retail grace period through October 31, 2026 and same-billing-period crediting beginning November 1, 2026.
After a certified installation, TECO installs a bidirectional net meter and credits excess solar based on the retail energy rate. Complete interconnection applications can take up to 30 calendar days; batteries are interconnected but are not net metered.
Duke Energy Florida follows the state’s investor-owned utility net metering framework. Duke bills decreased in 2026 after storm-cost charges were removed, so solar should be evaluated for long-term bill management and backup—not through claims that Duke rates are currently rising.
Florida investor-owned utilities credit solar exports at the retail energy rate, carry excess credits month to month, and pay unused year-end credits at avoided cost under PSC Rule 25-6.065. Municipal utilities and cooperatives can differ; OUC uses its own TruNet Solar timeline.
If you have a standard grid-tied solar system without a battery, your panels stop sending power to your home when the utility grid goes down. This is a required safety feature called anti-islanding that protects line workers. To keep power during an outage, you need a solar system paired with battery storage (or a specific backup-capable inverter setup) that can safely disconnect from the grid and power your home on its own.
Properly installed solar panels are built and mounted to handle strong wind and heavy rain, and many Florida systems come through storms without issues. But no system is guaranteed to survive every hurricane. What matters most is installation quality, roof condition, preparation before the storm, and a careful inspection afterward. Never climb on the roof or touch damaged equipment yourself — call a qualified installer.
If your roof is near the end of its expected life or has visible damage, it usually makes sense to replace it before installing solar. Solar panels are designed to stay on the roof for decades, and removing and reinstalling them later to replace the roof adds cost and downtime. If your roof is newer and in good condition, you can typically install solar now. A roof inspection is the best way to decide.