Florida Renewable Energy Incentives

Financial incentives for renewable energy and energy conservation in Florida consist of a combination of state incentives such as sales and property tax exemptions, a state solar energy rebate program, and various programs offered by individual utility companies, utilities commissions, and counties in the state.

Florida State Financial Incentives

Materials and equipment that you purchase to install a renewable energy system at your home are exempt from Florida's state sales tax. Renewable energy systems include solar water heating, solar space heating, solar pool heating, solar photovoltaic, and fuel cells.

As reported in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, the original cost, including installation, of renewable energy devices, including solar water heating, solar photovoltaic, wind, and geothermal heat pumps installed after January 1, 2009 will be 100% exempt from property tax. The exemption will be authorized for 10 years.

The State of Florida offers a rebate program for solar water heating, solar pool heating and solar photovoltaic systems installed by residents. The rebate amount for solar photovoltaic systems is $4 per watt up to a maximum incentive of $20,000. Solar water heaters can qualify for a rebate of $500 and solar pool heaters $100. As reported by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the entire $5 million budgeted for FY 2008-2009 has been exhausted and applicants have been placed on a waiting list. If the Legislature passes additional funding for FY 2009-2010, applications will be granted funding based on the order in which they are received.

Utility Company Incentives

The incentives offered by Florida utility companies include rebates on the cost of installing a solar photovoltaic system or production incentives, net metering, rebates on solar water heating systems, rebates on the cost of energy efficient appliances, and low-interest loans to help finance the cost of making energy efficiency improvements.

Incentives for solar photovoltaic systems