With Florida on record as one of the sunniest states in the United States, logic follows that it’s also a key player in the solar energy industry. With solar jobs soaring and the sunlight flowing, The Sunshine State is definitely a hot spot for solar production.
A natural tourist destination, not only for its amusement attractions, but also for its weather, Orlando, Florida has seen substantial growth in solar interest in recent years. With a total of 236 days per year with sun, and solar energy installation prices significantly dropping every year, Orlando is prime real estate for solar energy generation.
Annual Climate
An average of 5.5 sun hours per day and 65% of the days being sunny per year, if you live in Orlando and are interested in installing solar panels on your home, you’re in luck. Some of the top solar companies in the industry are operating in your hometown. Not only is the price right (or better than it was a mere five years ago), but the incentives and rebates for installing solar panels on your home abound. Though it may seem like a lot of money up front, you’ll be rolling in energy savings in no time. And the less you have to rely on the grid for energy, the less money you’re shelling out to power companies per month.
Benefits of Going Solar in Orlando
You’ve seen the uptick of solar panel installation around Orlando. And, you’ve heard that even Disney World is partially powered by solar energy. Surely there are benefits to going solar. . .right? Absolutely! Being one of the sunniest cities in the nation, if you live in Orlando and are thinking about solar energy, consider this:
- You can significantly limit your dependence on utility companies. Some people cut out the need for the utility companies all together.
- Don’t be frightened by the cost. Instead, consider the return on investment in just a few short years. Most homeowners who install solar panels in their homes can expect an average of a 20% return on investment.
- Your property value will instantly increase.
- You’ll directly be contributing to reducing your carbon footprint through the use of clean energy.
- On a larger scale, you’ll play a key role in the United States’ reduction on reliance on foreign oil. Needless to say, you’ll play an indirect role in benefiting the economy, the job market, and economic stability.
What Can You Expect to Save?
If you’re an Orlando resident and thinking of installing solar panels at your home, the great news is that you’ll start saving a significant amount – nearly $730 in the first year (approximately $60 per month) – off your electricity bill. Even better than that? The amount you save will only increase year over year. On average, for Orlando residents, yearly savings with solar energy systems is $1,100 per year.
Let’s take a look at an example. The average size of a residential solar system is 5 kW and the average cost of this size system is a little over $16,000. Based on average electricity costs in Orlando, available tax credits, loan options, and rebates, you’ll get nearly $5,000 back in the first year alone. Let’s face it, there aren’t many incentives like that around. Couple that with the fact that you’ll constantly be saving money each year until your system is paid off, and that once it’s paid off, you’ll be experiencing pure profit, and solar energy sounds pretty promising!
Driving Down Your Costs
Let’s break it down a little more. If you’re an Orlando resident, what kind of rebates and credits are available?
- The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 allowed for a 30% tax credit for installation of a solar energy system for all systems placed in service by December 31, 2016. Even though this rebate had recently expired, the federal government introduced an extension until December 31, 2019.
- The Florida Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act provides state-level rebates and incentives for installation of a solar system.
- The Orlando Utilities Commission offers a rebate up to $900 for installing a solar energy system in your home.
- If you are a Florida resident, you are exempt from paying state sales and use tax on your solar energy systems and related products.
- You are eligible for an up to $1,000 rebate from select power companies.
- Lastly, net metering is allowed within the state of Florida. Living in Orlando, installing a solar system, but still opting to be connected to the grid? That’s great news for you. Any unused solar energy generated from your personal system can be fed back into the grid and the utility company will give you credit for the solar power. What does this mean? Even if you use power from the grid, your monthly utility bill could be $0 based on energy credits provided by your local utility company.
Orlando Solar Companies
It’s no doubt that Orlando has experienced a boom in the number of available solar jobs. Some of the highest rated solar energy companies in Orlando, according to Yelp, include:
- Osceola County
- Central Florida
- Orlando
- Kissimmee
- Windermere
- Mt. Dora
- Sanford
- All Central Florida
- Greater Orlando Area
- Greater Orlando Area
However, if you’re not satisfied with this selection, know that there are 20+ solar companies servicing the Orlando area.
In general, the use of solar energy can benefit Orlando residents in a number of different ways: a.) using solar energy to power your water heater; b.) using solar energy to heat your swimming pool; c.) using solar energy to power your house; and d.) using solar energy to power attic ventilation fans.
While each company is different, most companies will offer a couple of different payment options for installing a residential solar energy system. The most common methods of payment include:
- Purchasing it outright
- Financing your system
If you opt to finance your system (which most people do because of the upfront cost associated with paying for your panels), solar loans are a popular option. Similar to a car loan, solar loans are actually the best option to go. The difference? When you pay back a car loan, you are paying down the debt. With a solar loan, you are paying down the debt, but you’re also making money on top of it based on your monthly energy savings. Another great benefit? You still get to participate in all of the available rebates and incentives – having a solar loan does not make you exempt from enjoying those benefits. It’s a win-win situation for all.
