Solar Incentives and Rebates in Florida (2026): Tax Exemptions, Net Metering and Local Rebates

Florida has no statewide solar rebate, so solar incentives in Florida come mainly from two tax breaks and net metering. Solar equipment is exempt from state sales tax, and the value a solar system adds to your home is left out of your property tax assessment. A few cities and utilities, such as JEA in Jacksonville, add rebates, mostly for batteries. Here is what is current as of November 2026.

• Solar energy systems and their parts are exempt from Florida sales and use tax under section 212.08(7)(hh), Florida Statutes.
• For homes, the value of a solar system installed on or after January 1, 2013, may not be counted in your property's assessed value.
• Net metering is required for investor-owned utilities like FPL, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric, with year-end leftover credits paid at a much lower rate than retail.
• Local rebates are small and scattered. EnergySage's 2026 guide lists $1,500 in Boynton Beach, up to $2,500 in Dunedin and a $4,000 JEA battery rebate.
• The federal 30% residential clean energy credit is not allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, which for solar means systems whose installation was completed after that date.

What solar incentives does Florida offer?

Florida's approach is simple: the state does not hand out cash for rooftop solar, but it keeps taxes from eating into your savings. The rest depends on your utility and your city. The table lists what we verified for November 2026.

The local rebate amounts come from EnergySage's Florida guide, which we checked in November 2026; we could not confirm them on each city's or utility's own site. JEA has offered a battery rebate of up to $4,000 since 2018 "while funds last," WJCT reported at the time. Programs this small can run out of money, so confirm with the city or utility before you count on one.

Florida's solar sales tax exemption

The Florida Department of Revenue says solar energy systems and all of their components are exempt from sales and use tax under sections 212.02(26) and 212.08(7)(hh), Florida Statutes. A solar energy system is defined as the equipment and hardware used to collect, transfer, convert, store or use solar energy for uses that would otherwise need conventional energy such as electricity or natural gas.

To use the exemption, the buyer certifies that the equipment will be used only in a solar energy system, and the seller keeps records of the exempt sale. Your installer should handle this. If your quote lists sales tax on panels or inverters, ask why.

Florida's solar property tax exclusion

Under section 193.624, Florida Statutes, the just value of a home attributable to a renewable energy source device may not be considered when the property is assessed. In plain terms, your county property appraiser should not raise your home's assessed value because you added solar. This applies to devices installed on or after January 1, 2013, on new and existing homes.

One date to know: a note to the statute says the current wording expires on December 31, 2037. After that, the residential rule would bar counting only the increase in just value from installing the device. That is a long way off and unlikely to affect today's buying decision, but it is worth knowing if you own a home for decades.

Net metering as a Florida solar incentive

Florida's net metering rule, Rule 25-6.065 of the Florida Administrative Code, applies to investor-owned utilities. FPL, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric and Florida Public Utilities had 254,937 customer-sited renewable systems combined at the end of 2025, according to the Public Service Commission's annual report. Excess solar power earns kWh credits that roll forward. In December, FPL says unused kWh in your bank are credited based on its average annual cost of generation. FPL does not list a figure on its FAQ page; installer Palmetto estimates year-end payouts at about 2 to 4 cents per kWh, and EnergySage at about 3 to 5 cents.

Municipal utilities and co-ops set their own rules. Orlando's OUC, for example, started its TruNet solar program on July 1, 2025, crediting new rooftop systems at a lower export rate. For the full picture, read net metering in Florida.

Federal solar tax credit status in Florida

Many Florida solar ads were built around the federal credit. It is gone for new systems: the IRS says the residential clean energy credit is not allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, and a solar expenditure counts as made when installation is complete. If a quote still subtracts 30%, ask the installer to redo it. Our guide to solar savings without the federal tax credit shows how.

Battery rebates and financing in Florida

Florida has no state battery incentive, according to EnergySage. A few city-owned utilities fill the gap:

• JEA: a $4,000 one-time rebate for a qualifying battery over 6 kWh added with solar, per EnergySage.
• New Smyrna Beach Utilities: $150 per kWh of storage, up to $3,000, for batteries of 8 kWh or more, offered roughly May through September or until funds run out, per EnergySage.
• OUC: said when launching TruNet that it planned a battery storage rebate; check OUC for the current offer.

For financing, EnergySage lists solar loan programs from Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, the City of Lauderhill, Lakeland Electric, the City of Tallahassee and the nonprofit Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF). Compare any loan's total cost with paying cash.

How to apply for Florida solar incentives

1. Confirm your utility. FPL, Duke and TECO follow the state net metering rule. City utilities and co-ops have their own programs and rebates.
2. Check local rebates before you sign. City programs often require pre-approval and a certified contractor.
3. Make sure sales tax is not charged on exempt solar equipment.
4. Tell your property appraiser if your assessment rises. Ask how the solar exclusion was applied.
5. Compare quotes. Prices vary widely. Use our solar quote checker to test each offer.

Common mistakes with Florida solar incentives

Because Florida's incentives are modest, small errors in a quote can make a big difference. Watch for these:

• Counting the federal credit. The IRS does not allow it for expenditures made after December 31, 2025.
• Assuming a statewide rebate. There is none. Only certain cities and utilities offer rebates, and many have yearly funding limits.
• Valuing year-end credits at retail. Leftover credits are paid at a fraction of the retail price, so oversized systems earn less than promised.
• Ignoring the minimum bill. At FPL, which lists a $30 minimum base bill, your bill will not drop below that amount.
• Missing your utility's rules. City utilities and co-ops can use export credits well below retail.

Our guide on why solar quotes vary so much between installers explains other gaps to check.

Is solar worth it in Florida without the federal credit?

Florida gets plenty of sun, but low year-end credit rates and minimum monthly bills mean you should size your system close to your use. FPL's net metering FAQ, for example, lists a $30 minimum base bill that covers fixed costs such as poles and wires. Check your rate history on our Florida electricity rates page, and see expected production on our Florida solar panels page.

Next steps

Find out which local rebates apply at your address, then gather two or three quotes and review them with our solar quote checker.