Solar payback in Florida
A 7.7 kW home solar system in Florida pays for itself in about 14.2 years at 2026 prices, with no federal tax credit. That ranks #17 of 51 states, where 1 is the fastest.
- Installed price
- $3.10/W
- Florida median, 2025
- Solar output
- 1,455 kWh
- per kW a year, Jacksonville weather
- Electricity rate
- 15.03¢/kWh
- average home rate, EIA
- Value of a solar kWh
- 15.0¢
- full retail net metering
Pays back in year 15
- Cost up front
- $23,870
- Saved per year
- $1,684
- Ahead after 25 years
- $18,227
Payback by quoted price and roof direction
Find your installer's price per watt (total price divided by system watts) to read your payback in Florida. Nationally, cash buyers paid a median of $3.00 per watt in 2025 and loan buyers $4.50, because loan fees are often built into the price. East and west roofs make 11% and 13% less power than south here.
| Price per watt | 7.7 kW costs | South roof | East roof | West roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.50 | $19,250 | 11.4 years | 12.8 years | 13.1 years |
| $3.00 | $23,100 | 13.7 years | 15.4 years | 15.8 years |
| $3.10 (Florida median) | $23,870 | 14.2 years | 15.9 years | 16.3 years |
| $4.00 | $30,800 | 18.3 years | 20.5 years | 21.0 years |
| $4.50 | $34,650 | 20.6 years | 23.0 years | 23.6 years |
System size barely changes payback here: a bigger system costs more and saves more in about the same proportion.
Questions about solar in Florida
How does Florida pay for solar power I send to the grid?
Florida's net metering rule (PSC Rule 25-6.065) still credits exports at the full retail rate. A 2022 bill to end it was vetoed. Source.
How much did the end of the federal tax credit change payback in Florida?
With the 30% credit that ended in 2025, the same system would have paid back in about 9.9 years instead of 14.2. The credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Leased systems and power purchase agreements can still pass on a business credit, but then you do not own the panels.
Is 1,455 kWh per kW a lot?
The range across states runs from about 922 kWh in Alaska to about 1,779 in the Southwest. Sunshine matters less than people expect: the electricity rate and how your utility credits exports move payback more.