Are you a new or current homeowner in the Sunshine State? Welcome! Our team at Flo Energy is thrilled to share the opportunities that solar panel installation is bringing to Florida homeowners and those on their homebuying journey.

From smart solar savings, to energy independence, and increased property value, the benefits of solar power are undeniable. Even so, we often find our customers wondering about the potential challenges of going solar. So our team is shedding light on the main challenges and how Flo Energy is combating them one solar-powered Florida home at a time.  

Common problems associated with solar energy:

• Cost of installation
  • When you factor in the federal and state tax incentives and rebates, immediate utility bill savings, and the potential to sell excess power generated back to the grid, the cost of going solar is not much higher than traditional energy sources. At Flo, we also don’t ask for any upfront costs to help you keep more money in your pocket. 

• Availability of sunlight
  • Here in the Sunshine State, we’re no stranger to cloudy days. But fret not! Energy storage solutions, like advanced batteries, can be seamlessly integrated into your solar system, ensuring a reliable power supply even during cloudy or nighttime periods. So you can kiss those worries about intermittent sunshine goodbye!

• Energy Efficiency
  •  Solar panel technology has come a long way thanks to remarkable advancements. Today’s solar panels are more efficient, durable, and affordable than ever before so owners can tap into the boundless energy of the sun without breaking the bank.

Now that we’ve shared insight on common solar myths, let’s talk about the many

benefits of going solar as a Florida homeowner:

• Cost Savings + Rebates 
  • Once your solar panels are up and running, you’ll notice a substantial reduction in your energy bills and receive various solar tax incentives. Imagine the joy of watching those numbers dwindle while enjoying guilt-free air conditioning during the hot Florida summers.

• Energy Independence 
  • Solar energy provides you with freedom from the grid and utility companies. By reducing your dependence on non-renewable energy sources, you become the captain of your own power ship. No longer will you have to worry about blackouts or escalating energy prices. Solar energy can be your trustworthy companion during natural disasters or other emergencies, providing you with a reliable source of power when you need it most.
• Home Appreciation 
  • Installing solar panels on your home can actually increase its value. Potential buyers are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly and energy-efficient homes. By investing in solar, you not only enjoy the immediate benefits but also make your property more desirable in the real estate market. It’s a win-win situation!
• Environmentally Friendly 
  • Let’s not forget about the environmental benefits of going solar. As conscientious Floridians, we understand the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and preserving our beautiful state for future generations. Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of power that produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. By embracing solar, you become a superhero fighting climate change, one sunbeam at a time.

If you’re on board to go solar, but the thought of navigating policies and permits overwhelms you… the good news is teams like ours will handle every aspect of the process ourselves, ensuring a seamless solar journey. Government policies and regulations are also becoming increasingly supportive, offering tax incentives and subsidies to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for homeowners like yourself.

By going solar, you join a growing movement towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. So, let’s embrace the power of the sun and create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. Happy house hunting, and may your new home be bathed in the warm glow of solar energy!

Get My Free Quote to Go Solar

The solar industry continues to flourish –growing more than 10,000% over the past ten years, according to Forbes– but navigating the complex legislation and policies still remains daunting for many customers who are interested in solar power installation. At Flo Energy, we aim to fully educate our customers to ensure they understand the key differences between these aspects and shed light on their impact on the solar industry’s growth and development.

State legislation plays a crucial role in shaping the solar industry. States have the authority to enact laws that incentivize and promote renewable energy, including solar power. These legislative measures may include the establishment of renewable portfolio standards (RPS), which mandate a certain percentage of a state’s energy to come from renewable sources.

In Florida, state legislation has played a crucial role in promoting solar energy. The state enacted the Florida Solar Rights Act which prevents homeowner associations from prohibiting solar installations on residential properties. As a result, Florida has seen a significant increase in solar installations. In fact, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Florida ranks third in the nation for cumulative solar capacity installed.

Additionally, different states may provide tax credits, grants, or rebates to encourage individuals and businesses to adopt solar energy systems. Forbes recently published an article highlighting tax credits by state. According to the article, “you can qualify for the [Investment Tax Credit] for the tax year that you installed your solar panels as long as the system generates electricity for a home in the United States.”

Regulatory decisions made by public utility commissions or similar bodies aim to balance the interests of consumers, utility companies, and the solar industry. These decisions often involve setting net metering policies, feed-in tariffs, or interconnection standards.

• Net metering allows solar system owners to receive credit for the excess electricity they generate and feed back into the grid, offsetting their energy bills.
• Feed-in tariffs, on the other hand, guarantee a fixed rate for solar energy producers who feed electricity into the grid.
• Interconnection standards ensure a smooth process for connecting solar systems to the utility grid.

Like many other states, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) has implemented net metering policies, allowing solar system owners to offset their energy bills and maximize the financial benefits of their solar investments.

And lastly, implementation policies translate state legislation and regulatory decisions into action. They involve the practical aspects of solar energy deployment, such as permitting, zoning, and interconnection procedures. Streamlining these processes can significantly reduce the time and costs associated with installing solar systems.

Florida has implemented standardized permitting requirements, which have significantly reduced the time and costs associated with installing solar systems. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) reports that the average time for residential solar permitting in Florida decreased from 25 days in 2016 to just 3 days in 2021, making solar installations faster and more affordable for consumers.

Implementing clear and efficient policies can help remove barriers and
facilitate the widespread adoption of solar energy.

Our Flo Energy consultants know that understanding the differences between state legislation, regulatory decisions, and implementation policies is crucial for navigating the dynamic solar industry. By advocating for supportive legislation, balanced regulatory decisions, and streamlined implementation policies, we can drive the growth of solar energy and create a sustainable future for all.

If you’d like to speak with one of our Flo Energy consultants, please contact us at floenergy.solar so we can answer any questions you may have.

Congrats! You’ve taken the first step to go green, and not only that, you’re going to save money doing it! So you’ve set an appointment for an Energy Consultation with Flo Energy, what now?

A Solar Energy Consultation generally takes 30 minutes to an hour. To make that time productive, it’s important for us to have accurate information regarding your home and energy consumption so we can make an accurate proposal tailored specifically to you. For that reason, we ask for a picture of your power bill or your monthly kilowatt usage so we can determine the number of panels needed to produce the amount of power you consume!

If you already provided your power consumption data, you are good to go.

If not, you can do so here

Some other ways you can aid in your Energy Consultation running smoothly are:

• Confirm your appointment. Respond to your Flo Energy Consultant’s confirmation text to help him optimize his schedule so he can give you his undivided attention.
• Invite your spouse. If you are married, or share these decisions with another member of your household, make sure they are present as well! Having your spouse present allows them to learn, ask questions, and feel just as confident in Flo as we know you will be.
• Clear a table. Your Energy Consultant will have a clean presentation prepared for you. Having a table cleared will allow him to show you the numbers and teach you about the program, free of distractions.

We are thrilled to be a catalyst in your journey to go solar. See you soon!

You know you want to go solar, but aren’t sure if you should lease, finance through a loan, or pay for it outright. Well, there’s no “right” answer to this. The fact of the matter is, there are ways for almost anyone to reap the benefits of going solar, and each option depends on your situation, needs, and goals. Let’s break it down:

Solar Lease/PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)

A Solar Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) is a financial arrangement in which a third-party developer owns, operates, and maintains the photovoltaic (PV) system, and a host customer agrees to site the system on its property and purchases the system’s electric output from the solar services provider for a predetermined period.

Pros:

• $0 down
• You can typically expect 10-20 percent savings over utility bill costs with a solar lease or PPA.
• More qualifying options if you cannot qualify for a solar loan.

Cons:

• You do not own the solar equipment on your property.
• If you sign a solar lease or solar PPA, the tax credits and other financial incentives belong to the owner of the system (not you).
• You agree to purchase the power generated by the system at a set price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (i.e. $0.15 per kWh) instead of paying a fixed amount per month. Because solar panels typically produce more electricity during the summer than during the winter, most people with a PPA have higher solar bills in the summer during the summer months. Although it does typically even out on average in your yearly average.
• If you move you do not re-coupe your expenses.

Solar Loan

With a solar loan the homeowner borrows money from a lender, either a bank or a solar company, and then pay it back with interests through monthly installments. Solar loans help homeowners go solar for $0 down while financing the whole system.

Pros:

• $0 down
• You can typically expect 15-30 percent savings over utility bill costs with a solar loan.
• The homeowner owns the solar system fully by the end of the loan’s term when fully paid off.
• Lock in your monthly payment so you know exactly how much you owe each month.
• Low interest rates
• Loan is transferable

Cons:

• The interest rate affects the total cost of the loan over its lifetime.
• It can be difficult to qualify if you don’t have adequate credit or taxable income.

Cash

Paying for your solar system in cash is exactly what it sounds like, you own your system outright, day one.

Pros:

• Own your solar system day one.
• No interest, lowering your total system cost.
• No monthly payments.

Cons:

• Large upfront costs that could be invested elsewhere with how low interest rates are for loans.

Your neighbors are going solar left and right! What’s the deal?

In an effort to encourage Americans to use solar power, the U.S. government offers tax credits for solar-powered systems. The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a 26 percent tax credit for solar systems on residential and commercial properties. The ITC is one of the most important federal policy mechanisms to support the growth of solar energy in the United States. Since the ITC was enacted in 2006, the U.S. solar industry has grown by more than 10,000% – creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and investing billions of dollars in the U.S. economy in the process.

Why now?

When the ITC first passed, the value of the credit was at 30 percent in 2005, but it fell to 26 percent in 2020. The latest extension of the solar tax credit came last December, and it gives homeowners and businesses up to a 26 percent credit on the net cost of a solar system. The 26 percent credit is in effect for two more years before it drops to 22 percent in 2023 and fades out altogether for homeowners in 2024. The credit for businesses follows a similar path, with the exception being that its credit falls to 10 percent in 2024 and will stay at that number in future years.

Unfortunately many states and power companies didn’t adopt the Net Metering Program right away, giving homeowners a limited amount of time to reap the benefits of residential solar and the ITC in their area. While net metering has been allowed in the state of Florida since 2008, your power company might not have integrated it until fairly recently, which is probably why it’s news to you!

How do I claim the ITC?

The first step of taking advantage of the ITC will be getting solar on your roof! Flo Energy is a local solar dealer in the Tampa Bay Area, and works alongside Element Renewables Group to manage and install your solar project from start to finish. Going solar used to be a big project for homeowners to take on. Most people don’t have the time or resources readily available to retrieve panels, pull permits, find contractors certified install their solar system, and get their system turned on, all on their own. We want you to take advantage of the ITC before time runs out! Flo makes it possible for you to choose to go solar in a simple Energy Consultation, while we do all the dirty work to get the glass on your roof and start saving you money.

For more information on how the ITC can apply to you, check out these resources:

PDF Download – U.S. Department of Energy – Homeowner’s Guide to Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics

Article – U.S. Department of Energy – Homeowner’s Guide to Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics

Article – Duke Energy – How to Calculate the New Federal Solar Tax Credit in 2021