The 5 Best Solar Companies in Florida

Florida’s rank as the country’s No. 10 sunniest state explains its “Sunshine State” nickname. Its abundant sunny days provide the ideal environment for solar panels. A solar system with energy storage could also provide backup power during the state’s active hurricane season. 

Our team dedicated 90 hours to researching top-rated solar companies nationally and locally to find the best Florida solar providers. We’ve selected the top solar companies in Florida, plus provided advice on selecting the right installer for your needs.

Compare the key features of Florida’s top solar installers:

• ADT Solar: Best Solar Warranty
• SunPower: Best High-Efficiency System
• Momentum: Best Solar Panel Installation
• Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
• Freedom Solar Power: Most Experienced Regional Installer

All BBB ratings are current as of June 2023.

The following Florida solar incentives help make the move to renewable home energy more affordable. We’ve outlined the best incentives and credits below. 

Federal Solar Tax Credit

Although Florida’s state-based incentives are limited compared to other states, residents can use the federal solar tax credit. This incentive provides 30% off your solar panel installation costs in the form of a tax credit. The credit applies to various solar equipment, such as solar roofing and traditional rooftop panels. You can also receive credit for installing standalone solar battery solutions. 

Net-Metering

Solar customers also benefit from the state’s net-metering program. Homeowners receive future energy bill credits for excess power sent back to the electric grid. Florida Public Utilities Commission (PUC) mandates net-metering throughout the state and includes a full retail payback rate, meaning utility companies must pay for excess energy at the same rate they sell it to customers. This 1:1 net-metering program offers Floridians the best benefit. 

Other State-Specific Incentives

Though adding a solar system increases your home value, Florida residents don’t have to worry about increased property taxes. Florida’s Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property policy prevents you from paying additional property tax after installing a new solar system.

Florida also offers the Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption that protects residents from being charged sales tax on solar products. Residents should check with their local electric cooperatives or city utility companies for additional rebates to offset solar panel system costs.

Keep the following factors in mind when comparing solar companies. 

Solar Services

Solar companies use in-house teams or third-party contractors to complete their projects. In-house teams offer better communication, quality control, and efficiency. Third-party installers have varied installation quality and require contact with an external project manager. We recommend working with solar companies that offer in-house installers. 

Look for solar installers with additional solar services, such as energy efficiency audits, dedicated mobile apps, and solar monitoring. Audits help prepare your home for a solar system and boost its energy-saving potential. Apps and system monitoring offer insight into your panel performance and provide early alerts for technical issues. 

Warranties

Solar system warranties vary between companies but last between 10 and 25 years. Since most panels last about 25 years or longer, you should find companies that provide the same coverage length. Most companies offer the following warranties:

• Manufacturer (or product) warranty: Protects your system against manufacturer-related defects and issues. 
• Workmanship (or labor) warranty: Protects against problems caused by faulty or poor installation. 

Some companies also offer power production guarantees, providing coverage for your panels’ linear performance. Over time, panels gradually drop in efficiency. A power production guarantee clearly outlines this expected degradation and offers guaranteed performance. If panels fall below these outlined levels, companies will repair or replace them or provide monetary compensation.

Payment Options

Most companies offer customers two or more solar panel financing options. The most common include up-front (or cash) payments and solar loans. Both options offer the best return on investment (ROI) and qualify you for most solar incentives. Other options, such as solar leases, offer limited financial benefits and only work for customers uninterested in owning their panels. Florida is one of the few states that doesn’t offer power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Customer Support

Look for solar installers with multiple contact methods, such as email, online form, or phone. Some companies offer online chat as a communication solution, though we’ve seen mixed results with this option. While secret shopping, we noticed some chats use autogenerated responses while others connect to live representatives. Additional content methods include SMS messaging and in-app communication with technical support.

Below is a step-by-step guide on getting a solar quote for your Florida home. We’ve built this guide based on our team’s shopping experience and after speaking with solar experts. We recommend getting multiple quotes from solar companies to find the best options. 

1. Contact each company: Start the process by visiting each solar company’s website. Many companies have online forms or a dedicated phone number for quotes. You might find online calculators that give basic audit information before speaking with a representative. When we called, we spoke with two representatives before starting the quote process. 
2. Schedule a consultation: You’ll schedule a virtual or in-person consultation with a company salesperson. For virtual calls, ensure your smartphone, tablet, or computer meet the system requirements and download any necessary video call software. 
3. Gather your energy bills: During your consultation, the company rep will review your utility bills to determine your energy needs. Depending on the company, you may need several months of energy information. 
4. Assess your roof space: Companies use different methods to check your available roof space and design. In-person consultants will measure your roof and account for complex designs or elements, such as chimneys and skylights. During virtual consultations, the rep will use satellite imagery to assess your roof design and build your solar project. 
5. Create your solar project: The solar company will build your system after completing the assessments. During this step, you can choose your solar panel type, brand, components, and upgrades such as solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Your company may also have solar shingles, tiles, or ground-mount systems options. 
6. Review the final quote and contract: You’ll receive a finalized quote with all included equipment, pricing, and warranty coverage. Your quote will also have financing options, such as cash payment, loans, or leases. Some solar companies also offer assistance with solar incentive applications to ensure you receive all added savings with your system purchase.

We chose ADT Solar as our primary pick for Florida solar installers. The company offers the best solar energy system protections, with coverage lasting 25 years. In addition, you’ll get the added power production guarantee with additional monetary compensation for poor panel performance. 

We recommend requesting free quotes from at least three providers to find the right fit for your home.

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The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

• Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
• Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
• Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
• Financing options (15%)
• Experience (10%)
• Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.