## Solar Power in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is one of the best places in the country to power your home with solar. It’s no surprise that Florida ranks 2nd in the nation for residential solar installations, as more homeowners look for cleaner, more predictable energy costs.

If you’re curious about going solar here, you’re in the right place. With Florida electricity prices rising 26% from 2020 to 2024, understanding your options matters. This guide explains how [home solar panels](/content/solar/solar-panels-for-home/index.html) work and what to expect in St. Petersburg.

### [FLORIDA](/content/local/florida/index.html) by the Numbers

[2nd](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/) Most residential solar in the United States

[251](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/) Households have installed solar panels

[5.8](/content/local/peak-sun-hours/index.html) Avg peak sun hours per day

[~$87k](/content/local/florida/st-petersburg/#solar-cost-calculator/index.html) St. Petersburg average savings over 25 years

## How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in St. Petersburg, FL?

See real solar installation costs for St. Petersburg, built from our actual local installs. Whether you’re in Old Northeast, Kenwood, Snell Isle, or Shore Acres, this calculator uses firsthand neighborhood data to give you a clear, honest estimate for your home. No guesswork—just real numbers from your area.

### Lease Cash Purchase

- Small Home Up to 2,000 sq ft
- Medium Home 2,000-3,000 sq ft
- Large Home Over 3,000 sq ft

This system size is designed to offset approximately **100%** of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Florida.

#### Recommended System

10.53 kW

Your Monthly Payment

Estimated monthly cost with LightReach

$135/mo

As low as

$135/mo

### Why Lease Solar?

Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.

- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included

#### Cost Breakdown

Your estimated investment

- **System Cost**: $28,316
- **Price per Watt**: $2.69
- **Final Cost**: $28,316

##### Savings

Your total financial benefit

- **Monthly Savings**: Average utility bill reduction $199
- **Payback Period**: Break-even point 10.2 years
- **25-Year Savings**: $86,967

[Get Your Personalized Quote](https://luminance.palmetto.com/home/buy-solar/step-1?utm_source=localorganic)

## Key Takeaways

- St. Petersburg is one of the sunniest cities in the country, averaging 5.8 peak sun hours per day, making it well-suited for reliable, year-round solar production.
- Florida electricity prices rose 26% from 2020 to 2024, and local Duke Energy and TECO rates run higher, so solar can bring more predictable energy costs.
- Florida offers solar sales and property tax exemptions plus net metering, and leasing through LightReach lets you go solar with no upfront cost.

## St. Petersburg Electricity Prices

Electricity costs are top of mind for St. Petersburg homeowners. Understanding the trend helps you make smarter energy decisions for your home.

Florida’s residential electricity prices rose from 11.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024. While Florida remains below the national average of 16.5 cents, costs have still climbed over recent years.

Solar offers St. Petersburg homeowners a way to gain more predictable energy costs. By generating your own power from the area’s abundant sunshine, you rely less on the grid and shifting utility rates.

### Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average

| Year | Florida | US Average |
|------|---------|------------|
| 2021 | 11.9¢   | 16.5¢      |
| 2022 | 13.7¢   | 16.0¢      |
| 2023 | 15.0¢   | 15.2¢      |
| 2024 | 14.1¢   | 16.0¢      |

[Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Form 861](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/)

### St. Petersburg Area Utility Providers

In St. Petersburg, most homes are served by Duke Energy or TECO. Based on 2023 data, Duke charged about 18.1¢ per kWh and TECO 16.6¢, while nearby WREC customers paid around 12.3¢.

Duke and TECO rates sit above the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ and Florida’s 15.2¢ average. Higher fuel costs, storm recovery expenses, and grid upgrades across the region help explain why local prices run higher.

### St. Petersburg Utilities Electricity Rates

| Utility | Rate (¢/kWh) | Change (%) |
|---------|---------------|------------|
| Duke Energy | 18.10¢ | +13% |
| TECO | 16.60¢ | +4% |
| WREC | 12.30¢ | -23% |
| FL Average | 15.20¢ | -5% |
| US Average | 16.0¢ | — |

[Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023, Form 861, Table 6](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/sales_revenue_price/)

## Florida Solar Incentives

Several state and local [solar incentives in Florida](/content/local/florida/st-petersburg/#incentives-table/index.html) can help lower the cost of installing solar in St. Petersburg.

Florida exempts solar equipment from the 6% state sales tax and shields the added home value from property taxes. Net metering through Duke Energy Florida credits you for excess energy sent to the grid.

| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Florida Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Florida exempts solar energy equipment from the state’s 6% sales and use tax. | [Learn More](https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/taxesfees/Pages/sales_tax_incent.aspx) |
| Florida Property Tax Exemption for Solar & Battery Storage | Property Tax Exemption | Florida provides a 100% property tax exemption on the added home value from residential solar panels and battery storage systems, active through December 31, 2037. |  |
| Florida Net Metering | Net Metering | Florida requires its major investor-owned utilities to credit residential solar customers at the full retail electricity rate for excess energy exported to the grid. | [Learn More](https://www.psc.state.fl.us/) |
| Dunedin Solar Energy Rebate Grant Program | Rebate | The City of Dunedin offers a solar grant of $0.25 per watt of installed solar capacity, up to a maximum of $2,500. | [Learn More](https://www.dunedingov.com/) |
| Solar & Energy Loan Fund (SELF) — Low-Interest Solar Financing | Rebate | SELF is a Florida nonprofit offering low-interest loans for solar panel installations to homeowners. |  |
| Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing for Solar | Rebate | PACE programs in Florida allow homeowners to finance solar installations through their property tax bill. |  |

## St. Petersburg Solar Irradiance

Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.

St. Petersburg’s nickname, “The Sunshine City,” reflects its abundant sunlight year-round.

### Solar Production in St. Petersburg by Month  
System Size: 5 kW, 7 kW, 10 kW

### What Can Your Solar System Power?
#### Summer Production (July)
- 41.7 kWh/day
#### Winter Production (December)
- 36.9 kWh/day

### Annual Production
- 16,009 kWh/year

## Solar Panel Systems in St. Petersburg

See how St. Petersburg is going solar. We’ve mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood level.

## Leasing Solar Panels

In St. Petersburg, homes are served by Duke Energy Florida or TECO, and both qualify for solar leasing through Palmetto’s LightReach program. A lease lets you go solar with no upfront cost.

### Frequently Asked Questions
- Does St. Petersburg, FL have net metering?  Yes.
- Do solar panels increase your home value in St. Petersburg, FL?  Yes.
- How much does it cost to go solar?  No upfront cost through a LightReach lease.
- What’s the best solar company in St. Petersburg, FL?  Palmetto.