Florida is known for its sunshine — and its hurricanes. Both of those make a compelling case for putting solar panels on your home, and perhaps a battery to provide you with backup power.
But the choices don’t stop at deciding to go solar. You’ll need to pick a solar installer and figure out what that energy system should look like.
We’ve put together a guide to some of the top solar panel installers in Florida, along with other information you’ll need to know as you choose to go solar.
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Best national solar panel companies in Florida
Here are a few of our picks for the best national solar companies that service Florida.
Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they’re also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it’s working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto’s monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.
Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that’s changing.
Momentum installs in 11 states without using subcontractors. While using in-house installers doesn’t guarantee a better experience, it does suggest you’re likely to get a more uniform experience from them. The fact that Momentum backs its installations with a 25-year workmanship warranty hints at a strong belief in their crews’ ability. If Momentum is part of your search, consider the warranties against leaks that other companies offer. Momentum’s is five years, which can be beat.
Local solar panel companies in Florida
During your solar search, you should consider looking into local solar companies in your area. We pulled a few Florida solar companies with some of the highest average Google review scores. However, it’s important to do some local solar scouting on your own too, or get referrals from people you know. Here are a few local solar companies in Florida that might be worth considering.
How to determine which solar company in Florida is best for me
The right solar installer for your home is an installer that has experience with the type of solar project that you’re interested in. You’ll want to make sure your solar installer has experience working on the type of roof that you have, and the system type you want installed, such as grid-tied or off-grid.
Ben Delman, a communications director with Solar United Neighbors, a clean energy nonprofit, recommends that homeowners look for solar companies that are certified by the NABCEP and have the proper licensing and bonding for their work. Reading through online reviews from multiple sources can also help you get a better understanding of a solar company’s reputation. A few places to start looking for solar company reviews are Google, Yelp and Angie’s. Delman recommends looking for solar companies that have at least 20 to 30 reviews. Try asking people you know if they have any installer recommendations too.
Aside from certifications and reviews, there are a few other things to look for in a solar company. A good installer, Delman said, will be able to:
- Provide good word-of-mouth references
- Define technical terms in an easy-to-understand manner
- Understand the local permit requirements and the process for system interconnection with the local power company
- Be transparent about pricing and how system financing works
- Clearly explain the project and working deadlines
- Understand homeowners association restrictions and help you navigate and explain that process
- Answer any questions you have, no matter how difficult the questions are
If you’re ever unsure about project or pricing details, always ask for clarification before moving forward with installation. Make sure to shop around and gather multiple quotes for the best price possible. Delman recommends comparing at least three quotes before picking your solar installer.
Read more: Just looking for an emergency backup? Check out portable solar panels and solar generators.
Average cost of solar panels in Florida
Here’s a look at the average cash price for a 5-kilowatt system before factoring in tax credits incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com.
Florida solar panel costs
Florida solar panel incentives and rebates
When considering the cost of a solar system in Florida, you should also factor in solar incentives, tax credits and rebates, which can significantly reduce the price.
The biggest incentive is the federal residential clean energy credit, which credits 30% of the total cost of a solar panel system back when you file your income taxes.
In addition to the federal tax credit, there are several Florida solar incentives. Some utility companies offer solar incentives, so check with your electricity provider for more details about incentives specific to your area. Here are a few examples of Florida solar incentives.
