Best Solar Companies in St. Petersburg, FL

A typical solar panel costs in St. Petersburg range from $10,926 to $21,851. This is comparable to statewide averages — solar panel prices in Florida typically range from $10,926 to $21,851.

The biggest solar costs factors are the size of your system, the equipment you want and the condition of your roof. On the high end, Mike in St. Petersburg took out a $70,000 loan to go solar.

Average solar panel costs by system size in St. Petersburg

Financing options and leasing programs make solar more affordable for Florida homeowners. In an ideal scenario, your solar savings offset your monthly loan payment.

• Solar financing: A solar loan works like any other home improvement loan. There’s an application and approval process. You pay it back over time (with interest) each month.
• Solar leases: Leasing solar panels lets you set up a system without high upfront costs. A solar company installs and maintains the panels on your property, and you pay a monthly fee to use them.

Based on our research, the best solar energy companies share a few traits: strong customer reviews, high-quality equipment and reliable warranties. Here are the key steps to finding the right fit.

1. Know what you want

If you’re going solar to save on energy costs, you have to make sure your system is big enough to generate enough power.

A typical Florida household needs a 14.4 kW system to offset energy costs enough to make going solar worth it. Depending on your household energy usage, you might need a smaller or larger system.

How to estimate what system size you need: On your electric bill, it should say how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you used last year. Divide that number by 1,200 to estimate your system size in kilowatts (kW). For example, if you used 12,000 kWh last year, you need a 10-kW system.

What to know about solar batteries

Solar panels only generate electricity when the sun is shining. A solar battery stores the extra energy your panels produce during the day so you can use it at night or during a power outage.

Without a battery, that unused energy goes to the grid, and you’ll still depend on utility power after dark.

Adding a battery can provide backup power and reduce electricity costs, but it comes with a higher upfront price. Solar battery costs are generally between $7,000 and $18,000.

Pro tip

Upgrade old appliances before going solar. A more eco-friendly water heater, refrigerator or clothes dryer reduces how much electricity your household needs. That means you can get a smaller system, which will be cheaper overall.

2. Read reviews

Look at reviews on platforms like ConsumerAffairs and other forums to see real customer experiences. Watch out for these red flags:

• Equipment failures that aren’t resolved quickly
• Misleading sales tactics about costs or savings
• Billing and contract issues

Local experience matters too. Companies with a history in Florida understand state-specific incentive programs, utility rules, permitting requirements and how to design systems that perform well in the humid subtropical climate and sometimes unpredictable weather conditions.

3. Check credentials

Solar companies must apply for panel certification through Florida Solar Energy Center’s Photovoltaic Certification Portal, and you can confirm registrations through the FSEC’s Registered PV Modules page. Make sure your installer also has:

• Insurance coverage to protect your home during installation
• NABCEP certification (the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is a respected national credential for solar installers)

4. Compare quotes

Most installers set the price according to the system's wattage, with a typical cost between $2.50 and $5 per watt. In Florida, the average cost per watt is $2.19.

Get quotes from a couple of the best solar companies in Florida. This lets you compare different proposed equipment, pricing, financing terms and estimated energy production.

Make sure the quoted price includes installation, permits and grid hookup, and watch for hidden fees like monitoring or service charges.

5. Read the fine print

The contract should be easy to understand. Focus on warranties for panels, inverters and installation workmanship, as well as any performance guarantees.

If anything about payment schedules, warranties, monitoring services or system maintenance doesn’t make sense — ask for clarification.

Solar panels are generally worth it in Florida if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, St. Petersburg homeowners with solar panels can avoid $67,130 in total utility costs 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 8.78 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

Considering Florida averages 3.5 to 4.5 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar is worth considering. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

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?

The 30% federal solar tax credit (ITC) is gone, but you may still be eligible for local solar incentives in Florida to maximize savings.

For instance, solar equipment is exempt from sales tax. There is also a solar property tax exemption. This means that — for tax purposes — the addition of a solar energy system won't result in an increase in your property's assessed value. Essentially, your property tax bill won't go up because your solar panels increase your home’s market value.

Another good thing: net metering lets you send excess power that your solar panels generate into your local power grid. In return, you can earn credits on future Tampa Electric (TECO) or Duke Energy bills. These credits can then offset your bill when your solar panels don't produce as much energy, like on cloudy days.