We believe the answer is yes for Florida homeowners with high energy bills. The federal tax credit, energy cost savings, and a few exemptions make residential solar panel installation more affordable than ever. Solar panels are worth the investment.
1. SUNLIGHT ABUNDANCE
It’s the Sunshine State after all. Florida receives between 220 to 266 days of sunshine depending on where you are located. Florida’s warmer winters are ideal for harnessing sunlight for home energy year-round. Your solar panel system will work if your roof faces west or south and receives a lot of sunlight. Our solar specialists can evaluate the angle of your home to determine how efficient a solar panel system will be on your roof.
2. MASSIVE GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states in the country for solar power.
According to the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), Florida was ranked 4th among all states for solar energy in 2018. It is due to several factors, including:
- Projection of growth
- Installed total capacity
- Solar power accounts for a percentage of the state’s electricity
- Installations
According to the latest news, Florida will surpass North Carolina in the southeast’s solar market leadership by 2022.
This is why it matters for homeowners in Florida. Let’s say that you don’t want to be left behind when all your neighbors are going solar. What about missing out on the many incentives that will not be available in the near future? Don’t forget that renewable energy will be the norm in the future as the United States adopts more clean energy policies. Utility companies will increasingly switch to renewable energy. Are you not more interested in having control over your home’s solar power – which is free energy – than paying the utility company to do it in the future. You might think so.
Florida residents can experience the benefits of solar panels installed on their homes.
3. ABSOLUTELY ZERO SALES TAX
You are correct, Florida sales tax is exempt for the purchase and installation of solar panels, as well as a backup solar battery. This means that you don’t need to worry about the additional 6% sales tax. You can now add as many solar panels as you want to your Florida home’s energy supply.
Here’s an example.
Imagine that you have purchased a solar system worth $10,000. That would mean that $600 in sales tax would have to be paid. You don’t have the tax to pay, so you can keep $600!
Look at the results this company achieved with its tax-free purchase. The second-largest solar roof in Florida, located in Miami, has more than 3900 solar panels and can provide 100 percent of the energy required for the entire building.
4. PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IS EXCLUDED
Let’s not forget about the other tax exemption.
Solar panels, like most home improvements, can also increase the value of your home. You can even avoid paying an extra fee for solar panel installations if you are located in Florida. Renewable energy home improvements are exempt from any additional property taxes in Florida.
According to CNBC, solar panels can also increase your home’s worth. Florida is reported as being among the top 10 states for the highest solar-powered homes. These are their rankings of how solar can increase the value of a median-valued home.
- New Jersey: 9.9%, or $32,281
- Pennsylvania: 4.9% or $8.589
- North Carolina: 4.8% or 8,996
- Louisiana: 4.9% or $7.037
- Washington: 4.1%, $15,916
- Florida: 4% $9,454
- Hawaii: 4% or $24,526
- Maryland: Maryland 3.8% or $10.976
- New York: New York, 3.6% or $10.981
- South Carolina: 3.5% or £5,866
Here are the facts about solar panels, home value, and other related topics.
- Solar panels can help you sell your home 20% faster
- Your home will earn 17% more when it closes with solar panels (Dept. Berkeley Laboratory and the Department of Energy
- For every $1 that you save on your electricity bill, solar panels add $20 in value (on average).
All you need to do to find out how solar panels can increase the value of your home is to click!
5. SELL YOUR SOLAR ENERGY BACK
You can get more out of your Florida solar panels by taking advantage of Net Metering. What is net-metering? Net metering is a fancy way to say that you can sell solar energy to your energy company as credits to your monthly bills.
Net metering allows your solar panels to be connected to the grid. Your solar energy system generates excess electricity and it is sent to the grid. The kilowatt-hours your panels produce are then added to your account. You can’t believe your monthly electricity bills are so long!
6. INCREDIBLE TAX INCENTIVES
There’s good news for those who are concerned about the cost of solar energy in Florida. You can get a massive tax incentive from the federal government to go solar.
The Federal Solar Tax Credit allows you to get 26% back in tax credits. This will help you go solar economically. Any credits that you don’t use, will be carried over to the next calendar year.
The tax credit will be reduced to 22% by 2023. It will be eliminated completely for residences by 2024.
7. RISING ELECTRICITY CHARGES
Did you know? Florida is the nation’s highest monthly electricity user. Florida’s average monthly electricity consumption is 19.71% more than that of the nation, which is 903 kWh/month.
This amounts to an average monthly residential electricity bill at $123. This puts Florida 9th nationally for the highest monthly electricity bill and is 14.95% higher than the national average. This means that you will save more each month when switching to solar energy.
Even if your electricity bills are low, it doesn’t mean that they will continue to rise. Over the past decade, energy prices have risen steadily in the United States and will continue to rise as more fossil fuels are depleted.
Tampa Electric has filed for a 19% rate increase in the near future in the latest example. These energy companies shouldn’t have control over your home’s electricity!
You’ve guessed it: We also serve Tampa, Florida, and the surrounding areas.
8. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Solar battery storage can help you to be energy independent by allowing you to install solar panels with your own company.
You can store excess solar energy by adding a solar battery to your solar panel installation. Solar batteries such as the Powerwall and Enphase Charge can be used to protect your home from power outages.
Solar energy not only protects your home from rising electricity prices but also allows you to be completely independent and in control of your home’s power.
A small Florida town called Babcock ranch just north of Fort Myers has declared its complete energy independence. This town is the first to be powered by solar energy and is an excellent example of how solar energy can be used in the future.
We also serve Fort Myers and the surrounding areas.
9. FLORIDA MUST BE HEARD
Florida is among the top 10 for most coal imported nationally, with billions of dollars worth of coal each year. Prices rise when coal is imported from other states, which means that Florida has some of the highest prices in the country. The pollution caused by coal being used for electricity and shipped across the country for use is also considerable. Florida’s natural gas and coal use generate 200,000,000 tons each year of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. The EPA monitors carbon dioxide as one of five major greenhouse gases. Acid rain is caused by sulfur dioxide, among other problems.
Florida cities are adopting progressive renewable energy policies, such as that of Tallahassee. It has committed to generating 100% of its electricity using renewable energy by 2050. This initiative will encourage more homeowners to put solar panels on their roofs in Tallahassee than ever.
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is one of the top solar panel companies in Florida! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!
