With Florida being such a sunny state, there’s probably no better place in the entire country for home and business owners to reap the rewards of solar power. That being said, having a solar system installed is still a big and important decision to make, and one that Floridians should give careful consideration to.
To help you decide whether to go solar as a home or business owner in Florida, here are 6 important considerations to make:
While you can bring the price of your solar installation down by choosing more affordable panels and not adding any accessories, such as a battery or EV charger, you’ll still need to ask yourself if you can comfortably cover the initial installation fee, which can be significant.
2. Your payback period
While your solar panels undoubtedly will pay for themselves over time, how long you have to wait for your payback period, can vary. In many instances, Floridians must wait for at least 8 years to achieve panel payback, while others won’t enjoy it until several years later. Reduced monthly energy bills can help you recoup your costs during this time, but you must be prepared to wait many years before you start seeing a significant ROI.
3. Net metering
Net metering may be mandated in Florida, but unfortunately, there is currently no control over the rate at which utility companies buy excess energy back from you. As such, policies may vary from provider to provider, so make sure you’re comfortable with what is outlined in your contract with regards to net metering, before signing up for a solar system.
4. Policies and incentive changes
With the solar industry expanding in Florida, as it is in many other states, policies and incentives related to solar systems for home and business owners, are frequently subject to change. It’s advisable to keep a close eye on changes to either policies or incentives before making the switch to solar.
5. Florida’s weather and climate
Working at their optimum in sunlight that is both intense and direct, homes and businesses with solar systems will reap more of their rewards the closer they live to the equator, and Florida is the ideal state in terms of sunshine. However, do be prepared for your solar system’s output to dwindle on rainy or cloudy days, which thankfully, aren’t all that common.
6. Untrustworthy solar installers
Sadly, untrustworthy individuals often hide in plain sight, and solar installation companies are no different. Always be on the lookout for unscrupulous companies ready to cash in on your naivete or lack of knowledge by selling you ‘free’ panels (which are never truly free) or pushing a power purchase agreement on you, or PPA. With far fewer benefits to home and business owners, these don’t increase the value of your property, don’t enable you to enjoy federal tax credits, and take a lot longer to pay off.
Check the reputation and credentials of any solar panel installer you choose to hire.
There are few reasons not to consider having a solar system installed at your Florida property, but as with any significant investment you make, you should take the time to research your options thoroughly, and where possible, talk to other owners of solar systems in your area to find out the reality behind solar power for homes and businesses.
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