Best Solar Companies in Miami, FL

We’ve talked to hundreds of Floridians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Based on that feedback, here’s what Miami 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.

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $7,945 to $22,700 in Florida. Prices in Miami are comparable, ranging from $8,474 to $24,211. This doesn’t include the cost of a storage battery, which typically costs another $7,000 to $18,000.

Installers usually price systems according to their wattage. “Cost per watt” is like the “price per square foot” when you buy a house: It helps you compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes. Nationally, costs per watt range from $2.50 to $5. In Miami, the average cost per watt is $2.42.

A typical Miami household needs a system with a capacity of 11.42 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset its 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 Miami

Solar panels are generally worth it in Florida if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. As long as your house is a good candidate for solar, it’s at least worth considering. Use NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house — just type in your address. Project Sunroof is another free solar savings estimator.

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. Adding battery storage for backup power during outages can be strategic, considering the tropical monsoon climate. That makes it even more expensive. However, you don’t have to pay it all upfront. In fact, people rarely do.

Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 10.5 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost). On average, Miami homeowners with solar panels can avoid $42,979 in total utility costs over 25 years.

» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and cons

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. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Miami residents can also qualify for PACE financing.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt; you also aren’t responsible for system maintenance.
• PACE financing: The Florida Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program offers financing for residential and commercial solar projects. Interest rates are between 6% and 12.99%. The amount financed must not exceed 20% of the property value.

» SOLAR PANELS: Buy vs. lease

In our experience, the best solar companies in Florida have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts.

• Check certifications: Solar companies must apply for panel certification through FSEC’s Photovoltaic Certification Portal, and you can confirm registrations through the FSEC’s Registered PV Modules page. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication are common themes in negative solar company reviews.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

One of Miami's most commonsolar scams involves fake solar companies selling systems without any intention of installing them. Another is falsely claiming to be affiliated with state agencies.

» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes

Going solar in Miami-Dade County

Florida is prone to nasty weather. Make sure your solar installer uses hurricane-resistant mounting and anchoring techniques. Considering the tropical climate, adding battery storage for backup power during outages can be strategic.

» BEST STATES FOR SOLAR: Florida ranked 34th in 2024

Residents can take advantage of statewide solar incentives in Florida. The state exempts renewable energy equipment from sales tax. There’s also a 100% property tax abatement for residential solar installations until 2037. The newly funded Solar for All program should eventually make rooftop solar more accessible to low-income and historically disadvantaged communities in Miami.

Federal tax credit

The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is still the best incentive for a lot of Miami homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. 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 that to $2,000.

The ITC drops to 26% in 2033 and then 22% in 2034.

Don’t get confused: The credit does not work the same as a rebate. Ben in Miami was under the impression that the federal government would send a check reimbursing him for 30% of his solar installation costs (around $12,000). He found out the hard way that a tax credit is subtracted from the amount you owe the federal government in taxes.

However, you can get a refund if the credit reduces your taxes to the point where you overpaid during the year. You can also carry over any unused credit to the next tax year.

Additional solar incentives in Miami

Check DSIRE for the most comprehensive source of information about solar incentives and policies in Florida.

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 Miami, 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 Miami 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:

1. ION Solar
2. Sunrun
3. ShopSolar