Solar Panel Cost Guide in Florida City, FL (2024 Update)
- Florida City Solar Installation Cost: $11,933
- 25-Year Savings: $19,948
- Payback Period: 10.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Florida City
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Florida City.
Currently, the national average cost of solar panels is $2.66 per watt. However, in Florida City, the typical cost of solar panels is 3 per watt.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in Florida City, most homeowners require a 5.3-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs around $11,933, or $17,064 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
How much you pay can go above or below the average in Florida City depending on several factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.For many homeowners, the upfront cost of solar panels is worth paying. On average homeowners in Florida City see about $21,000 in savings on electricity bills over 20 years.
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Solar savings over time in Florida City
Year | Return on Investment |
---|---|
1 years | $-10,559 |
3 years | $-7,812 |
5 years | $-5,064 |
7 years | $-2,317 |
9 years | $430 |
11 years | $3,177 |
13 years | $5,925 |
15 years | $8,672 |
17 years | $11,419 |
19 years | $14,166 |
21 years | $16,913 |
23 years | $19,661 |
25 years | $22,408 |
Top Solar Installers in Florida City
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it involves extra effort and know-how. That's one of the reasons the majority of homeowners choose a solar panel installer. Plus, if you’re unsure what type of solar panels and equipment you need, a solar expert can help you find the right equipment for you after a site survey and consultation.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
See all of the solar companies in Florida City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Florida City
The cost of installing a solar system in Florida City can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your home, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by about $3,210. The solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. However, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Florida City average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for a solar system out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are available from most installers in Florida City, which can bring down, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.Although solar loans make going solar more accessible for Florida City homeowners, they can also increase the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Florida City is the company you choose to install your solar panel system. As with choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for example, there are plenty of solar installers that provide a range of services at different price points.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric car charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 kW | $3.34 | $14,021 | $19,142 | 10.6 years |
8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $25,883 | 10.4 years |
10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $32,803 | 10.2 years |
12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $39,902 | 10.0 years |
14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $47,182 | 9.8 years |
16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $54,641 | 9.6 years |
18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $62,280 | 9.4 years |
20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $70,099 | 9.1 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because selecting a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: Look through the contract terms closely to make sure you understand the overall cost, completion timeline incentives and warranties.
- Warranty: Warranties that provide coverage for replacement parts and repairs over a couple decades are the gold standard in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a good company.
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re on the same page with the company with regard to how the installation process will go and what needs to be done before your solar panels are installed, such as updating or replacing your electrical system or roof.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Florida City, FL Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Florida City?
The average cost of solar panels in Florida City is about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff such as the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important things to keep in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Florida City?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future electricity bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.