Solar energy adoption is growing rapidly across Florida, with over 60,000 homes now powered by the sun. Abundant sunlight makes the state ideal for solar, which is increasingly attractive given rising utility rates. This article provides homeowners a comprehensive overview of the top solar companies in FL.
Overview of the Florida Solar Industry
Florida has high electricity costs – averaging 12.7 cents per kWh across Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs), versus the national average of 10.6 cents. Costs have risen nearly 30% over the last decade, squeezing household budgets. This burden has led over 1.7% of Florida households to adopt rooftop solar.
The state also enjoys superb solar resources, with Miami averaging 5.5 and Tampa 5.2 peak sunlight hours per day. This allows solar systems to harvest substantial energy to offset household usage. FL has no statewide RPS, but utilities must show they considered renewable generation in IRPs. Key policies supporting solar growth include net metering and property tax exemptions.
As electricity rates rise while component costs fall, payback periods for rooftop systems shorten. Declining total install costs also allow companies to offer flexible financing options. The outlook remains strong for the Florida solar industry.
Factors Homeowners Should Consider
- System Pricing: The rough cost per watt in Florida ranges from $2.50-3.50, with online quotes starting around $10k for a 3.5 kW system. Compare company pricing models.
- Panel Equipment: Solar modules last 25-30 years, while inverters go 10-15 years. Quality matters – check warranties.
- Financing Terms: Loans, leases, PPAs and cash sales each have pros/cons. Assess your financial needs.
- Savings Potential: Solar cuts electricity bills 50-100%. Payback timeframes vary by system specs, financing and net metering credits.
- Company Experience: Solar installers need extensive technical expertise. Choose a reliable, established provider.
We compared the top Florida solar companies across these key categories:
Solar Company Comparison
| Company | Years in Business | Panel Equipment | Warranties | Purchase Options | Installations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Momentum Solar | 12 years | Premium panels, flashings | 25 years | Leases, PPAs, loans | Over 4,500 |
| Blue Raven | 7 years | Hanwha Q-Cells | 25 years | Leases | 3,000+ |
| Sunrun | 14 years | Multiple brands | 25 years | Leases, PPAs loans, cash | 200,000+ nationwide |
| SolarRay | 9 years | Silfab Solar | 25 years | Leases, loans, cash | 1,500+ |
| ADT Solar | 15 years | Multiple brands | 25 years | Cash, loans | 90,000+ nationwide |
Now let‘s analyze Florida‘s top solar companies in detail…
1. Momentum Solar
Momentum Solar stands apart for its flexible financing solutions. The company offers $0 down solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), requiring no upfront payment for equipment and installation. Momentum also connects qualifying customers with solar loans featuring fixed rates and terms up to 18 years.
For customers that purchase systems, Momentum offers robust warranties via premium equipment…
2. Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven Solar enters Florida after achieving tremendous growth across the Western U.S. The company expands homeowner access to solar through $0 down lease programs.
Key benefits of Blue Raven‘s offer include a price match guarantee, 25-year equipment warranties, and 18 months no payments through their Blue Power Plus plan. Blue Raven maintains strong consumer protections through partnerships with responsible lenders and ethical business standards expected of certified B Corporations.
[Blue Raven company background, leadership team, pricing models analyzed, review of equipment and warranties]3. Sunrun
As the nation‘s largest rooftop solar company, Sunrun brings over 15 years of solar expertise to Florida homeowners. The provider offers several flexible financing plans for customers to affordably switch to solar power with no upfront costs.
For customers wishing to own systems outright, Sunrun offers discounted solar purchases by bundling in the 26% Federal ITC. Sunrun leverages volume equipment purchases to cut pricing while providing premium panels and industry-leading warranties. The company manages equipment maintenance and monitoring through solar-as-a-service models.
4. Solar-Ray
Solar-Ray operates as Florida‘s largest locally based solar provider, having installed over 1,500 systems across the state. The company‘s ownership team combines renewable energy expertise with home services delivery. Solar-Ray‘s local market knowledge brings permitting fluency and adherence to Florida building codes.
The provider offers several purchasing options – $0 down lease/PPA plans along with flexible loan financing. Solar-Ray allows homeowners to afford solar energy while locking in guaranteed savings on monthly bills for over 20 years.
[Solar-Ray founding story, executive team, pricing analysis, Silfab panel offering]5. Solar Source
Operating since 2002, Solar Source services over 60,000 customers as one of Florida‘s legacy local solar installers. The company brings deep technical expertise from deploying varied residential and commercial projects. Solar Source provides solar electricity systems and domestic solar hot water heating units.
A key differentiator is the company‘s specialization in solar pool heating – reducing costs up to 90% for customers in sun-rich states like Florida. For homeowners seeking local experience and innovative tech solutions, Solar Source delivers.
[Solar Source founding, evolution in Florida solar industry, breadth of technology offerings incl battery storage]6. ADT Solar
ADT Solar, formerly SunPro Solar, leverages the brand power of home security giant ADT while bringing over 15 years of solar expertise. Aside from California, Florida remains ADT‘s largest solar market, with installations nearing 4,000. The company provides high quality equipment while meeting projected cost savings from switching to solar.
ADT offers robust equipment via partnerships with premium solar module makers like REC, Panasonic and SunPower. Equipment packages couple solar panels and racking technology with monitoring hardware. 25-year warranties provide customer performance guarantees.
[ADT Solar background since SunPro acquisition, leadership team, comparison of equipment offerings]7. Solar Bear
Solar Bear differentiates itself via strong customer service as a Florida-based installer. The company‘s ownership and technicians foster close client relationships during consultations, system design support and installation. Solar Bear‘s racking systems integrate seamlessly with various roof types found across the state.
While Solar Bear provides solar electricity like competitors, a key differentiator is the company‘s whole-home energy efficiency assessments. The team recommends insulation, air sealing, window treatments and other upgrades maximizing energy savings. An eco-conscious advisor helps homes minimize costs while living sustainably via renewable power.
[Solar Bear founding story, focus on customer service, whole home energy efficiency focus]Key Takeaways – Selecting the Best Solar Company
We compared Florida solar companies across crucial selection criteria – experience, equipment, warranties, purchase options, pricing and service. Key insights include:
- 30-year equipment warranties ensure system performance and protect owner investments
- Flexible purchase options allow $0 down installs, expanding access from cash purchases
- Financing vs buying have tradeoffs – e.g. tax credit eligibility impacts savings
- Local installers provide market expertise – codes, permitting, weather protections
- Solar cuts Florida electricity costs 50-100% with 5-7 year payback periods
Determine whether it‘s best to buy vs lease panels. Review financing terms closely. And seek quality equipment that will provide decades of performance under Florida‘s harsh weather conditions.
Reach out to receive custom solar quotes meeting your home‘s needs while maximizing savings. The sooner you switch, the faster you secure electricity cost reductions for the lifetimes of your systems.
