Solar Panel Cost Guide in Tampa, FL (2024 Update)
- Tampa Solar Installation Cost: $12,394
- 25-Year Savings: $16,538
- Payback Period: 11.8 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Tampa
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar panels in Tampa.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Tampa is 3 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Tampa, most homeowners require a 5.5-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $12,394, or $17,723 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar will differ based on your household energy use, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.Despite the large initial cost, the average Tampa homeowner can save about $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the perks of solar.
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Solar savings over time in Tampa
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-11,061 |
| 3 years | $-8,395 |
| 5 years | $-5,729 |
| 7 years | $-3,063 |
| 9 years | $-397 |
| 11 years | $2,269 |
| 13 years | $4,935 |
| 15 years | $7,601 |
| 17 years | $10,267 |
| 19 years | $12,933 |
| 21 years | $15,599 |
| 23 years | $18,265 |
| 25 years | $20,931 |
Top Solar Installers in Tampa
Although it's possible to install solar panels yourself, it requires extra time and know-how. Because of that, most people choose to hire a solar panel installer. Companies can also offer access to various kinds of the best solar panels and help you choose which one will be right for your home.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
See all of the solar companies in Tampa
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Tampa
The cost of installing a solar system in Tampa can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your household needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar system you need, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by nearly $3,210. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will largely affect costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Further, solar equipment is more than just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be challenging. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Tampa, which can reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When trying to figure out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you decide on a solar loan. Also, paying more on your down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you choose to install your solar panel system can play a part in determining the cost. Tampa’s solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. Some companies only sell products with high efficiency and therefore a higher price point — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and go with the company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also fits within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.34 | $14,021 | $14,595 | 12.2 years |
| 8 kW | $3.27 | $18,336 | $19,819 | 12.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.21 | $22,470 | $25,223 | 11.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.15 | $26,425 | $30,807 | 11.5 years |
| 14 kW | $3.08 | $30,200 | $36,571 | 11.3 years |
| 16 kW | $3.02 | $33,795 | $42,514 | 11.1 years |
| 18 kW | $2.95 | $37,210 | $48,638 | 10.8 years |
| 20 kW | $2.89 | $40,446 | $54,941 | 10.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be difficult, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for renewable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading over your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and be sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or if the company goes out of business.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running smoothly and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you need plays a part in which installer you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Tampa, FL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Tampa?
The average cost of solar panels in Tampa is about $16,050 for a 5-kW system and $32,100 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on stuff like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Tampa?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it often comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to maximize your savings.
Is it worth going solar in Tampa?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for a majority of homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight and/or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last in Tampa?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.