Commercial Solar in Florida

Florida's combination of year-round sunshine (5.5-6.0 peak sun hours daily) and rising FPL, Duke Energy Florida, and TECO commercial rates makes the financial case for commercial solar unusually strong. For manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and multi-family operations, a properly sized rooftop array now delivers positive cash flow from month one under our ESP zero cap-ex model. Florida's sales tax exemption and property tax exemption stack on top of the federal ITC to further reduce effective project cost. Our Florida EPC partners are active in the Tampa Bay metro, Orlando I-4 corridor, South Florida, and Jacksonville markets.

Florida Solar Incentives 2026

  • Federal ITC (30-50%): Base 30% plus energy community adder available in qualifying FL counties through Dec 31, 2027
  • FL Property Tax Exemption (Statute 196.182): Solar systems exempt from real property assessment
  • Sales Tax Exemption (F.S. 212.08): Solar energy equipment exempt from Florida's 6% state sales tax
  • FPL/Duke Net Metering: Commercial accounts receive retail-rate credit for excess solar generation up to 2 MW AC
  • MACRS 5-Year Depreciation: Federal accelerated depreciation on ITC-adjusted basis
Florida commercial solar market map showing FPL Duke Energy TECO service territories

Florida Commercial Solar Market

Florida commercial solar has seen particularly strong adoption along the I-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando, driven by the combination of high FPL commercial rates, exceptional irradiance, and large flat roofs on industrial and distribution properties. Coastal hospitality properties in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Gulf Coast also represent a strong market given their year-round HVAC-driven electricity loads. The DSIRE database tracks all active Florida incentive programs by utility territory.

Florida Case Study

Central Florida Distribution Facility Saves $95k Per Year

The Situation

An 85,000 sq ft distribution center near Orlando was paying FPL over $120,000 annually. South-facing flat roof, significant federal tax liability, strong ESP model candidate.

Our Approach

Our FL EPC designed a 520 kW rooftop system financed entirely under the ESP model. FPL interconnection completed in 62 days. FL sales tax exemption saved $28,000 at purchase.

The Outcome

$95,000 in annual electricity savings from activation. ESP payment of $66,000/yr produces $29,000 net first-year benefit. 25-year projection: $2.7 million.

Client name changed. Results vary. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida have a strong solar program for commercial businesses?
Florida has state-level property and sales tax exemptions that stack with the federal ITC, making effective project cost significantly lower than the sticker price. FPL and Duke Energy Florida also offer retail-rate net metering up to 2 MW AC, which is generous by national standards. The state has fewer production-based incentive programs (no SREC market) than northeastern states, but the combination of exceptional irradiance, tax exemptions, and federal credits makes Florida commercial solar one of the strongest ROI markets in the Southeast.
Is solar worth it in South Florida where it's cloudy and rainy?
Yes. South Florida averages 5.2-5.6 peak sun hours daily even accounting for the rainy season cloud cover from June through September. Solar panels continue to produce during overcast conditions at reduced output — a 30% cloudy-sky derate is typical. Production modeling accounts for seasonal variation. The South Florida market, particularly Miami-Dade and Broward counties, shows strong commercial solar ROI due to SDG&E-equivalent high electricity rates in those FPL service territory zones.

Related Resources

Nearby States

Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina. View our full US service area.