Tampa, FL Solar Panels: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Tampa
With more than 240 sunny days each year, Tampa is one of the best places in the country for solar installation. Florida already ranks 2nd in the nation for residential solar installations, and it’s easy to see why so many of your neighbors are choosing to power their homes with the sun.
It also helps that Florida electricity prices have climbed 26% from 2020 to 2024, leaving many Tampa homeowners eager to understand their options. Our guide to home solar panels is a great place to begin.
FLORIDA by the Numbers
2nd Most residential solar in the United States
251 Households have installed solar panels
5.7 Avg peak sun hours per day
~$86k Tampa average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Tampa, FL?
See what solar really costs in Tampa. This calculator uses real installation data from homes across the area—including Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, and Town ‘n’ Country—so you get local, firsthand numbers. No guesswork, just clear estimates to help you understand what solar could mean for your home.
LeaseCash 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
$196
Payback Period
Break-even point
10.3 years
25-Year
Savings
$85,680
Palmetto Reviews
Had panels installed and have had nothing but a good experience with them and Palmetto Solar…highly recommend that anyone should look into going solar…wish I had done it years ago…
Nick D, St. Petersburg, Florida
My family and I love our solar system, great customer service & installation team was fantastic! We had 30 panels installed based on the amount of kilowatts we use.. 26% tax credit came in handy… I wish I would of gotten the back up battery…. Highly recommend, Palmetto is great….
Philip Burgos, Riverview, Florida
After talking to our local representatives from Palmetto Solar, we discovered that not only was solar a solution to control/reduce our energy costs long term, but it was a great way to do our part for the environment. The installation was seamless and was completed in only one day. And with no upfront costs, we chose leasing vs. an outright purchase. Our first 4 months with Palmetto Solar have proven more than just cost effective…we are generating 40% more kWh than we are using. Our local representatives have been nothing short of excellent to work with, very communicative, quick to respond and follow up. We continue to refer Palmetto Solar to our friends and neighbors here in Florida.
Tony M, Florida, Florida
Key Takeaways
- Tampa gets 240+ sunny days a year, making it one of the best cities in the country for solar, with homes averaging about $86,000 in savings over 25 years.
- Florida electricity prices rose roughly 18% from 2021 to 2024, so generating your own solar power can help protect your budget from unpredictable utility rate increases.
- Florida offers solar sales and property tax exemptions plus full-retail net metering, and leasing through LightReach lets you go solar with no upfront cost or maintenance.
Tampa Electricity Prices
With more than 240 sunny days a year, Tampa homeowners have a natural advantage when it comes to powering their homes with solar.
Electricity costs have been climbing across Florida. From 2021 to 2024, the average price rose from 11.9 to 14.1 cents per kWh—an increase of roughly 18% in just a few years.
Solar offers Tampa homeowners a way to take more control over their energy costs. By generating your own power from the abundant local sunshine, you can rely less on the grid and its shifting prices.
Over the long term, solar can help protect your household budget from unpredictable rate changes. As utility prices continue to move, producing your own clean energy brings lasting stability and peace of mind.
Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average
0¢
10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
11.9¢
15.0¢
13.9¢
16.0¢
15.2¢
16.5¢
14.1¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Florida
Tampa Area Utility Providers
Tampa homeowners are served by several utilities, and their electricity rates vary. In 2023, TECO charged 16.6¢ per kWh and Duke Energy 18.1¢, while Lakeland Electric and WREC customers paid 12.3¢ per kWh.
In 2023, the national average was 16.0¢ per kWh and Florida’s average was 15.2¢. TECO and Duke Energy sit above both, largely due to fuel costs, storm-related grid repairs, and infrastructure upgrades passed on to customers.
Because grid rates can rise over time, some Tampa homeowners look to solar to gain more predictable energy costs. With 240 sunny days a year, a solar panel installation can help offset rising utility bills.
Tampa Utilities Electricity Rates
TECO
16.60¢
+4%
Duke Energy
18.10¢
+13%
Lakeland Electric
12.30¢
-23%
WREC
12.30¢
-23%
FL Average
15.20¢
-5%
US Average
16.0¢
—
Florida Solar Incentives
Several state and local solar incentives in Florida can help Tampa homeowners lower the cost of going solar.
Florida exempts solar equipment from the 6% state sales tax and shields the added home value from property taxes. Tampa Electric customers also earn full retail credit for excess energy through net metering.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Florida exempts solar energy equipment — including panels, inverters, batteries, racking, and installation — from the state’s 6% sales and use tax. | Learn More |
| 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 — Investor-Owned Utilities (FPL, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric, Florida Public Utilities) | Net Metering | Florida requires its four major investor-owned utilities to credit residential solar customers at the full retail electricity rate for excess energy exported to the grid. | Learn More |
| Solar & Energy Loan Fund (SELF) — Low-Interest Solar Financing | Rebate | SELF is a Florida nonprofit offering low-interest, no-down-payment loans for solar panel installations to homeowners with credit scores as low as 500, with interest rates between 5% and 9.5%. | |
| Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing for Solar | Rebate | PACE programs available in many Florida jurisdictions allow homeowners to finance solar and battery storage installations through their property tax bill, with repayment terms of 10–20 years. |
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Florida incentives.
Tampa 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.
Tampa’s sunny climate makes it ideal for solar. While summer brings afternoon storms and humidity, plenty of clear days keep production strong year-round. With the right system, Tampa homes shine bright.
Solar Production in Tampa by Month
System Size:5 kW 7 kW 10 kW
Daylight Hours Energy Production (kWh/day)
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
40.8 kWh/day
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2.7 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 13 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 4.1 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
35.5 kWh/day
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2.4 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 17 hours
- or Fully charge 3.5 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
15,772 kWh/year
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 11 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 189 trees
Solar Panel Systems in Tampa
We mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood level. Explore Tampa’s interactive heatmap to see how many homes near you have switched to solar. Click any hexagon to discover the number of installations in that area—and see your community’s clean energy journey unfold.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Tampa, homeowners served by Tampa Electric (TECO) can go solar with a lease through Palmetto’s LightReach program. A solar lease means you pay a fixed, predictable amount each month instead of paying for the full system upfront.
With a lease, there’s no large investment to recoup and no maintenance to worry about. Palmetto owns the system, so we handle repairs and upkeep. If you paid in cash, those costs and responsibilities would fall on you.
A lease lets you enjoy the benefits of clean energy from day one, without the higher upfront hurdle. To help decide what fits your home, explore our guide on whether to buy or lease solar panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tampa, FL have net metering?
Yes. Tampa homeowners served by Tampa Electric (TECO) have access to full 1:1 net metering. This means every kilowatt-hour of excess solar energy you send to the grid earns a credit at the full retail rate, helping offset the power you draw at night or on cloudy days.
Do solar panels increase your home value in Tampa, FL?
Yes, purchased or owned solar panels can increase your home’s value in Tampa. A Zillow study found that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more. Florida also exempts this added value from property taxes.
How much does it cost to go solar in Tampa, FL?
Many Tampa homeowners go solar through a LightReach lease, which starts as low as $135 a month for a medium-sized home. There’s no upfront cost, and Palmetto owns and maintains the system for you.
How does leasing solar work and what’s the approximate cost in Tampa, FL?
With a solar lease through Palmetto’s LightReach program, you pay one simple monthly amount instead of buying the system upfront. That payment covers the panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a protection program with a 90% Production Guarantee, with no upfront cost to you.
Do solar panels require maintenance in Tampa, FL?
Solar panels are low maintenance. With Tampa’s abundant sunshine, panels have no moving parts and typically need only occasional cleaning to perform well year after year.
Is solar worth it financially?
For many Tampa homeowners, solar makes financial sense—especially with 240+ sunny days a year and Florida electricity rates that climbed about 18% from 2021 to 2024. Producing your own power helps offset those rising utility bills.