To choose the top picks for this guide, we compared popular solar companies on ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranty terms and other factors. Our picks may be Authorized Partners who 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.
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Solar can be a big investment. Our goal is to highlight companies that are best equipped to meet most Tampa residents’s energy needs, considering the humid subtropical climate.
The ConsumerAffairs Research Team took a data-driven approach, informed by expert editors, to choose the best solar companies in Tampa based on the following key features and respective weightings:
We’ve talked to hundreds of Floridians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Tampa 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.
Key insights
A typical residential solar panel installation costs $22,090 in Tampa. However, solar loans and leases have minimal upfront costs.
A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $7,945 to $22,700 in Florida. Prices in Tampa are comparable, ranging from $7,834 to $22,382.
The size of your system is a significant factor in your overall costs. The average Tampa household needs a system with a capacity of 10.42 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 Tampa
5 kW
6 kW
7 kW
8 kW
9 kW
10 kW
Before federal tax credit
$11,191
$13,429
$15,667
$17,906
$20,144
$22,382
After federal tax credit
$7,834
$9,400
$10,967
$12,534
$14,101
$15,667
How can I pay for solar panels?
Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease.
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. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.
Solar panels are generally worth it in Florida if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. 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, Tampa homeowners with solar panels can avoid $42,111 in total utility costs over 25 years.
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. A typical residential solar panel installation costs $22,090 in Tampa. However, that doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it later. It’s worth considering if you live in an area with frequent blackouts.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid scams: According to the Florida Attorney General, common solar scams are related to pressuring salespeople, misleading contract terms and over-promised savings.
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.
The Sun Select Program lets residents tap into a renewable energy source without owning their own panels. Tampa Electric Company customers can take advantage of community solar generation to match 25% to 100% of their electricity use.
The state added a large amount of solar capacity in the first half of 2023, but relatively little of that was rooftop solar. That’s partially because of state government and utilities seeking to limit incentives for rooftop solar installations, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Residents can still take advantage of a few solar incentives in Florida and local programs, including a sales tax exemption and property tax abatement. The newly funded Solar for All program should eventually make rooftop solar more accessible to low-income and disadvantaged communities in Florida.
Federal solar tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the best incentive for a lot of homeowners in Tampa. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels.
The ITC drops to 26% in 2033 and then 22% in 2034.
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.
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. You won’t get a refund for the extra amount if the solar tax credit is more than your tax bill. 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 Tampa
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
Tampa solar FAQ
Do I need any permits to install solar panels in Tampa?
As of September 2023, Hillsborough County has an electrical permit fee for residential and commercial solar systems. This fee is $590 for commercial projects and $190 for residential. All building projects in Florida over $2,500 must also submit a Notice of Commencement outlining the scope of their home improvements.
How does net metering work in Tampa?
Net metering lets you earn credits for the excess energy your solar panels produce and send into the grid. Tampa Electric Company (TECO) and Duke Energy Florida, the primary utility providers in the area, offer net metering programs.
However, the sooner you get started, the better. 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.
In Florida, property owners have a legal right to install solar panels. Homeowners associations can’t block installations but may suggest a placement as long as it doesn’t negatively impact performance.
Can I get solar panels for free in Tampa?
We’re not aware of a totally free solar option in Tampa. You can lease solar panels with minimal upfront costs, but there is usually an ongoing monthly fee.
What are the different types of solar panels?
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.
Methodology: How we chose the best solar companies in Tampa
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 Tampa, 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 Tampa 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:
Sunrun
Freedom Solar Power
ShopSolar
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Guide sources
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:
End-to-end solar services in Texas, Colorado and Florida. Residential and commercial properties. Includes 25-year warranty. SunPower Master Dealer. Certified Tesla Powerwall installation. 24/7 performance monitoring.
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.
Sunrun offers free energy consultations in 20 states. 15 years of experience. Sells and leases customized residential solar energy systems. Solar advisors offer one-on-one consultants to guide you through the details.
Specializes in commercial and residential solar installations. System installations backed by 25-year power generation warranties. Offers components from brands like Luma Solar and Rheem.
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.
Commercial and residential solar installations in Orlando and Tampa, Florida. 25-year warranties that include panel production, leak protection and workmanship. Financing available for products from brands like Silfab and Sol-Ark.
Installs solar energy systems for residential and commercial consumers in Orlando and Central Florida. Easy financing with low interest, zero-down, and low payment options. Products from Enphase Energy, Tesla, SunPower and more.
Solar energy systems for homes, businesses, farms and ranches in five states. 30-year power production warranties and lifetime service and maintenance. Tier 1 solar panels from Aleo Solar. Financing offered.
Residential and commercial solar, including installations on schools, government buildings and nonprofits. Serves parts of California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas.
Residential and commercial solar panel installer servicing parts of Florida state since 2012. Brands offered include Generac, LG Chem, sonnen, SunPower and Tesla. Backup power services also available.
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.
Solar energy systems for homes throughout much of Arkansas and Florida, including Little Rock, Orlando and Miami. Warranties include 25 years from the manufacturer and 10 years on workmanship.
Specializes in commercial and residential solar installations. Carries products from Generac PWRcell. Offers solar installation packages backed by 25-year warranties. Generator installations available.
HVAC and residential solar installation. Serves the Dallas–Fort Worth area and parts of Florida. Warranties include 25 years on performance and 10 years on roofing. Financing available for Aptos, Enphase and Silfab products.
Residential and commercial solar installer servicing Florida, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma and Colorado. Save money on your electricity bill with low maintenance and easy installation of solar panels.
Residential solar installation, energy storage and hybrid water heaters for 15 cities in Florida. Offers a 25-year warranty on panels, inverters, maintenance and roof protection. Systems include American-made panels.
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.
Residential and commercial installation of solar power systems, energy storage, EV charging and energy monitoring as well as generators for parts of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Offers a 30-year whole-system warranty.
Residential and commercial solar energy installation, including pergolas. Offers services in 28 cities across six states. Works with five major solar lenders to provide financing through loans and leases.
Residential solar plus hybrid water heater, pool pump and fiberglass installation in parts of Arizona, Florida and Nevada. Warranties honored, even if the manufacturer goes out of business. Loans available.
Residential solar, commercial solar and EV charging. Services in Gainesville, Orlando and Tampa, Florida. Products from Enphase Energy, the REC Group, SunPower and Tesla. Includes limited workmanship warranty.
Solar energy system installer offering maintenance, repair and removal services in the Tampa Bay area and Clearwater, Florida. Panels come with a 25-year warranty. Free solar energy consultations available.
Residential installation of solar energy systems in parts of Arizona and Florida. Offers 25 to 30-year manufacturer’s warranties on solar panels from Aptos Solar Technology, Qcells and Silfab. Finance with a loan.
Residential and commercial solar installation and battery storage for North Central Florida. Offers 5-year workmanship warranties, 10-year warranty on inverters and 25-year warranties on modules. Pay with cash or loan.
Residential and commercial solar installation, energy storage, EV charging and roofing for parts of New York state and Florida. 25-year manufacturer’s warranty on systems from brands like REC Group. Financing available.
Solar energy system installation in many Florida cities, including Daytona, Jacksonville and Tampa. Zero down on financing for those with preapproval. Systems include products from brands like JinkoSolar and Enphase Energy.
Residential and commercial solar installations plus solar pool and water heaters. Serves most of West Florida including Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa. Financing available for products from IronRidge, Mission Solar Energy and SMA.
Offers residential and commercial solar energy system installation, duct cleaning and backup battery systems. Products from Aeroseal Duct Sealing, Enphase Energy, the REC Group and Tesla. Provides services in Florida.
Semper Solaris specializes in residential solar panel installation, solar storage, roofing, heating and air conditioning. Service areas include parts of California, Texas, Florida and Arizona.