Sunrun

- Max. panel efficiency
- 22%
- Panel warranty
- Varies
- Payment options
- Cash, loan, lease
- Year founded
- 2007


The ConsumerAffairs Research Team compared popular solar companies on ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranties, availability and other factors to select the top picks for this guide. Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear. Read the full methodology for all the details on how we make solar company recommendations.
| Company | Customer rating | Our pick for | Max. panel efficiency | Panel warranty | NABCEP certified | Payment options | Year founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Sunrun | Get Started | 4.3
3,519 reviews
3,519 reviews
| Pro install | 22% | Varies | Cash, loan, lease | 2007 | |
![]() ShopSolar | Learn More | 4.7
218 reviews
218 reviews
| DIY projects | Varies | Varies | Cash, loan | 2018 |
Solar can be a big investment. Our goal is to highlight companies that are best equipped to meet most Fort Lauderdale residents’ energy needs, considering the tropical rainforest climate.


The ConsumerAffairs Research Team took a data-driven approach, informed by expert editors, to choose the best solar companies in Fort Lauderdale based on the following key features and respective weightings:
» MORE: Full methodology
Jump into our guides and start learning
We’ve talked to hundreds of Floridians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Fort Lauderdale residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.
NOTE: President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed in July of 2025, phases out the federal solar tax credit. You now only have until Dec. 31, 2025, to install a system and get the 30% solar tax credit.
A typical residential solar panel installation costs $17,496 in Fort Lauderdale.
Jump to insightOn average, Fort Lauderdale homeowners with solar panels avoid $45,038 in total utility costs over 25 years.
Jump to insightMake sure your solar installation has hurricane-resistant mounting and anchoring techniques.
Jump to insightA typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $7,544 to $21,553 in Florida. Prices in Fort Lauderdale are comparable, ranging from $8,491 to $24,261.
This doesn’t include the cost of a solar battery, which is sometimes as much as the panels ($7,000 to $18,000). A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages.
Installers usually price systems according to their wattage. The average Fort Lauderdale household needs a system with a capacity of 7.2 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.
Average total solar installation costs by system size in Fort Lauderdale
| 5 kW | 6 kW | 7 kW | 8 kW | 9 kW | 10 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before federal tax credit | $12,131 | $14,557 | $16,983 | $19,409 | $21,835 | $24,261 |
| After federal tax credit | $8,491 | $10,190 | $11,888 | $13,586 | $15,285 | $16,983 |
Solar panels are generally worth it in Florida if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. For Brigitte in Weston, solar is worth it to “cut out FPL and save money.”
Homeowners with solar panels typically save $20,000 to $90,000 over 25 years.
The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 7.85 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).
On average, Fort Lauderdale homeowners with solar panels can avoid $45,038 in total utility costs over 25 years.
» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and con
Potential roof problems
As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels again. This is an expensive and frustrating process.
» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?
Common solar scams are related to misleading contract terms and over-promised savings, according to the Florida Attorney General. In our experience, the best solar companies in Florida have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.
» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes
Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease.
» SOLAR PANELS: Buy vs. lease
Residents can take advantage of statewide solar incentives in Florida, including a sales tax exemption and property tax abatement. As of publishing, Broward County does not have any additional financial incentives for residents going solar.
The federal solar investment tax credit is the best incentive for most homeowners in Fort Lauderdale. The ITC reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels.
The ITC expires at the end of 2025.
The ITC is a credit, meaning it directly decreases the amount of taxes you owe. This is different from a deduction, which lowers your taxable income. For example, if you spend $10,000 installing a solar panel system, the ITC is worth $3,000. If you owe $5,000 in taxes, the $3,000 credit reduces what you owe to $2,000.
Federal solar tax credit expires at the end of 2025
The ITC is now set to expire at the end of the year, much earlier than previously scheduled. The credit was expected to drop gradually, then fully expire in 2035 — but those future step-downs have been eliminated under the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed in July of 2025. This means you have until Dec. 31, 2025, to install and pay for a system to qualify for the 30% credit.
Check DSIRE for the most comprehensive source of information about solar incentives and policies in Florida.
| Incentive type | Amount | Eligible solar equipment | Applicable sectors | Administrator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Building Design Revolving Loan Fund | Loan program | 100% project financing based on available funds | Solar water heat | State government | Department of Transformation & Shared Services, Division of Building Authority |
| Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion | Personal tax exemption | 100% of subsidy | Solar panels, solar water heat, solar space heat | Residential, multifamily residential | U.S. Internal Revenue Service |
| Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion | Corporate tax exemption | 100% of subsidy | Solar panels, solar water heat, solar space heat | Residential, multifamily residential | U.S. Internal Revenue Service |
| Energy-Efficient Mortgages | Loan program | Varies | Solar panels, passive solar, solar space heat | Residential | Federal government-sponsored enterprises, lending institutions, state government agencies and local governments |
A permit is mandatory for any solar photovoltaic (PV) system installation in Fort Lauderdale. All building projects in Florida over $2,500 must also submit a Notice of Commencement outlining the scope of their home improvements.
Florida’s Solar Rights Act protects homeowners’ ability to install solar panels. HOAs can offer placement suggestions, but only within 45 degrees of due south and without affecting energy output.
Net metering lets you earn credits for sending excess solar energy into the Florida Power & Light grid. Some residents accumulate enough credits to almost fully cancel out their electric bills. However, Florida is gradually decreasing the value of net metering credits. From January 2024 to December 2025, residents will earn a 75% energy usage credit for their excess energy production. These rates decrease to 60% in 2026 and 50% in subsequent years. So, the sooner you get started, the better.
We’re not aware of a totally free solar option in Fort Lauderdale. You can lease solar panels with minimal upfront costs, but there is usually an ongoing monthly fee.
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline are the most common types of solar panels used in residential installations. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline. The key difference is in materials and efficiency: Monocrystalline panels use pure, single silicon crystals, while polycrystalline panels are made from melted silicon fragments, resulting in different efficiency levels.
Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how well a panel makes electricity. Standard efficiency rates range from 19% to 23%, which means 19% to 23% of the sunlight that hits the panels gets converted into electricity. The more efficient the solar panels you buy are, the fewer panels you need. While more efficient panels cost a little more, you save by buying fewer panels.
Plenty of unshaded roof space that faces south or west is best for optimal sun exposure. If you have a lot of shading around your house, the panels might not get enough sun to power your home. Here are some other questions to ask yourself:
Installation times depend on a range of factors, especially seasonality and supply chain issues. The actual installation might take only a day, but it takes time to design, plan and activate the system.
Solar panel costs in Florida have fallen 47% over the last 10 years, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
It’s potentially cheaper to install your solar energy system yourself, but it’s difficult and dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, especially for a large residential project.
» DIY SOLAR PANELS: Pros and cons
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:
Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Fort Lauderdale customers were given preference.
Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.
Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.
Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.
ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:
Thanks for subscribing.
You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
| Company | Customer rating | About | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4.7
218 reviews
| Solar energy solutions. Offers solar energy kits, DIY solar kits and lithium batteries. Small- and large-scale equipment. Online purchasing with shipping to 48 states. Partner installer network. Financing and warranty available. | Read reviews |
![]() | 4.3
3,519 reviews
| Sunrun, in business for 18 years, serves customers in 20 states. It offers residential solar system financing options, including purchase and lease. Consultants customize systems to match each household’s unique energy needs. | Get Started |
![]() | 5.0
View profile
| Residential solar installations, roofing and HVAC in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa. Systems include 30-year warranties on parts, labor, power production and repair plus 25 years of leak protection. | Read reviews |
![]() | 5.0
View profile
| Residential and commercial solar installations including solar pool and water heaters in Florida. 25-year warranty on panels, microinverters, racking and power production. HELOCs, PACE funding and solar loans available. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.0
View profile
| Residential and commercial installation, cleaning and maintenance of solar panels as well as roofing, HVAC, EV charging and battery storage in southern Florida. Offers brands such as Canadian Solar, Enphase Energy and Tigo. | Read reviews |
![]() | No reviews | Serves five major cities in Florida, including Miami and Tampa. Installs solar energy systems for homes and businesses. Offers 20-year warranties on labor and maintenance. Financing available through power purchase agreements. | |
![]() | No reviews | Solar installations for residential and commercial consumers across parts of Florida and Vancouver, BC. Equipment from Generac PWRcell. Free financial consultations available upon request. | |
![]() | No reviews | Residential and commercial solar energy system installations, maintenance and electrical services in parts of Broward County, Florida. Offers products from Array Technologies. Free estimates available. | |
![]() | No reviews | Residential solar installations in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Palm Beach. Offers 20-year workmanship and 25-year system warranties. Pay upfront or finance through a loan, PACE financing or the company’s Savings Share Plan. |