Solar resource
Your solar production in Tampa
5.46 avg peak sun hours/day
Monthly avg solar radiation (kWh/m²/day) — Tampa, FL. Bars update to show estimated kWh production when you use the calculator above.
Utility rate
Tampa Electric (TECO) electricity rate
$0.128/kWh residential
- Utility
- Tampa Electric (TECO)
- Residential rate
- $0.128/kWh (blended)
Tampa Electric (TECO) is an investor-owned utility serving Hillsborough County, regulated by the Florida Public Service Commission (FL PSC). TECO offers net metering for residential solar systems. Under current FL PSC rules, TECO residential solar customers receive credit for exported solar at rates governed by Florida's net metering statute. Tampa homes typically have higher electricity consumption than northern cities due to year-round air conditioning demand — a 1,100–1,400 kWh/month household is common — making solar system sizing important. TECO's relatively moderate rates (compared to SDG&E or NSTAR) mean payback periods are longer than in high-rate states, but Florida's strong sun resource, FL property tax exemption, FL sales tax exemption, and the FL Solar Rights Act provide a supportive overall incentive environment.
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Incentives
Available solar incentives in Tampa, FL
Federal + state + utility
| Incentive | Type | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | Tax Credit | 30% of system cost | Federal |
| Florida Residential Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Exemption | 100% exemption from Florida sales and use tax on eligible residential solar energy equipment | State |
| Florida Residential Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption | Exemption | 100% of added home value from residential solar excluded from property tax assessment | State |
| TECO Net Metering (FL PSC Rules) | Net Metering | Bill credit for exported solar energy at applicable FL PSC net metering rate | Utility |
| Florida Solar Rights Act | Exemption | Legal protection against HOA or local restrictions prohibiting residential solar | State |
Incentive amounts and eligibility rules change. Verify current terms with your installer and a tax professional before installation.
System cost
Cost breakdown (6 kW default)
- Gross system cost
- $22400
- Federal ITC (30%)
- −$8064
- Net system cost
- $14,336
- Installed cost per watt
- $2.8/W
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Tracking the Sun 2024 — Southeast residential installed-cost benchmark. Florida's installed costs are near the national median; TECO's interconnection process and FBC permit requirements add modest overhead compared to some markets. Total incentive value includes 30% ITC ($6,720) plus FL sales tax exemption (~$1,344 at 6% on $22,400).
Payback & long-term value
25-year outlook
- Annual savings (yr 1)
- $1,526
- Simple payback period
- 9.4 years
- 25-year net savings
- $27500
- Assumed annual rate increase
- 2.5%/year
25-year estimate uses flat electricity rate for conservative baseline. Accounting for 2.5% annual rate increases, lifetime savings increase substantially.
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How it works
How solar savings work in Tampa
- Your panels capture Tampa's strong subtropical sun Tampa averages 5.46 peak sun hours per day — outstanding for a major metro and consistent year-round thanks to Florida's subtropical latitude. An 8 kW premium roof-mount system at 20° tilt produces approximately 11,920 kWh per year, comfortably covering most of a typical Tampa household's annual usage even with heavy summer air conditioning.
- An inverter converts DC to AC for the home The inverter converts DC electricity from your panels into household AC power. In Tampa's hurricane and high-wind environment, the solar installation itself must also comply with Florida Building Code wind-load requirements for Hillsborough County (140 mph design wind speed). FBC-compliant racking and roof attachment is part of the installation — not an optional add-on.
- You offset TECO electricity at the residential rate Every kWh your system produces while the home is consuming power offsets electricity you would otherwise buy from TECO at approximately $0.128/kWh. Tampa homes typically use 1,100–1,400 kWh/month due to year-round cooling — an 8 kW system producing 11,920 kWh/year covers a significant portion of that load and saves approximately $1,526/year at current TECO rates.
- Excess generation earns bill credits under TECO net metering TECO provides net metering credits for excess solar exported to the grid under Florida Public Service Commission rules. On months when your panels produce more than your home uses — typically spring months in Tampa — credits roll forward on your TECO bill. Verify current TECO net metering terms at tampaelectric.com, as Florida's net metering policy framework continues to evolve.
- You claim the federal tax credit and Florida tax exemptions On a $22,400 installed system, the 30% federal ITC is $6,720. Florida's residential solar sales tax exemption saves approximately $1,344 in upfront state sales tax — meaning total first-year incentive value is approximately $8,064, reducing net system cost to about $14,336. Florida's property tax exemption (§196.175) shields the added home value from annual property tax assessment.
- Savings compound as TECO rates rise — and your system resists storms As TECO rates increase over time (historically ~2.5%/year), your solar savings grow while your installation cost stays fixed. Over 25 years, an 8 kW Tampa system nets approximately $27,500 after recovering the installation cost. An FBC-compliant installation also provides documented wind-load resistance — important for both homeowner's insurance and storm-damage claims in Florida's hurricane-exposed environment.
FAQ
Common solar savings questions for Tampa, FL
How much can I save with solar in Tampa?
An 8 kW premium system in Tampa produces approximately 11,920 kWh/year. At TECO's effective residential rate of ~$0.128/kWh, that's approximately $1,526 in first-year savings. After a total of $8,064 in incentives (30% ITC + FL sales tax exemption), the net system cost is about $14,336, with a payback period of roughly 9.4 years and estimated 25-year net savings of $27,500.
What solar incentives are available for Tampa homeowners?
Tampa homeowners qualify for the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Florida's residential solar sales tax exemption (100% exemption from FL sales tax on qualifying equipment), and the Florida residential renewable energy property tax exemption (§196.175, which shields the added home value from property tax). TECO provides net metering credits for exported solar under FL PSC rules. Florida does not currently offer a state income tax credit for residential solar.
Does solar in Tampa need to meet hurricane wind-load requirements?
Yes. Tampa is outside Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), but Hillsborough County's design wind speed under the Florida Building Code is 140 mph. Solar panel mounting systems, racking, and roof penetrations must be engineered and permitted to meet this wind-load requirement. A properly installed and inspected FBC-compliant solar system in Tampa is built to resist the structural loads of a major storm event, which is important for both safety and insurance purposes.
What is Florida's Solar Rights Act?
Florida Statutes §163.04 prohibits deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and local ordinances from restricting or banning the installation of solar energy devices on residential buildings. If your Tampa HOA has rules about 'energy devices' on roofs, you can rely on the Solar Rights Act to install a rooftop solar system despite those restrictions. The act does allow reasonable restrictions on placement (not on the south-facing slope, for example) as long as they don't unreasonably restrict solar access.
How does Tampa solar compare to Jacksonville solar?
Tampa and Jacksonville are broadly similar markets: both outside HVHZ, both in subtropical Florida, both with moderate statewide residential rates. Tampa (5.46 peak sun hours, lat 27.95°N) gets slightly more sun than Jacksonville (5.48 hours, lat 30.33°N). The bigger difference is the utility: Tampa uses TECO (Tampa Electric), while Jacksonville uses JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority). JEA's current distributed-generation policy credits new solar exports significantly below retail; TECO's net metering under FL PSC rules is more favorable. Verify current TECO net metering terms before installation.
How much does an 8 kW solar system cost in Tampa?
Using a conservative installed cost of $2.80/W, an 8 kW Tampa system prices at about $22,400 before incentives. After the 30% ITC ($6,720) and Florida's sales tax exemption (~$1,344), the net cost is approximately $14,336. Florida's property tax exemption provides ongoing annual tax savings on top of these upfront incentives.
Do I need a permit to install solar in Tampa?
Yes. Solar installations in Tampa require both an electrical permit and a building permit from Tampa Construction Services, and the installation must satisfy Florida Building Code requirements for structural attachment, electrical work, and wind-load resistance. Permitted installations also qualify for FBC wind-load compliance documentation — important for homeowner's insurance in Florida.
Sources
Data sources and freshness
- https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
- https://www.tampaelectric.com/residential/energyefficiency/solar/
- https://www.tampaelectric.com/residential/rates/
- https://openei.org/apps/USURDB/
- https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/196.175
- https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/212.08
- https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/163.04
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics
- https://emp.lbl.gov/tracking-the-sun
- https://dsireusa.org/state/florida/
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only — not financial or investment advice. Solar savings depend on actual shading, roof orientation, energy usage patterns, rate changes, and equipment performance. Consult a licensed installer and a tax professional before making purchasing decisions. Verify incentive eligibility with official sources. Data last verified 2026-04-19.