Guide
Is Solar Worth It
Is It Worth It?
Is Solar Worth It in Central Florida?
A realistic look at payback periods now that the federal tax credit is gone.
Quick note: every figure below assumes no federal tax credit, since it expired for purchased systems at the end of 2025 (see our Incentives guide). Estimates for Florida payback still vary a lot source to source – more on why below.
The real payback math in 2026
Without the 30% federal credit, current estimates for a Central Florida cash purchase commonly land somewhere between 8 and 13 years – a wider range than you’ll see for some other states. That’s because Florida has no state-level solar tax credit to smooth things out (see our Incentives guide), so nearly all of the return comes down to your specific electric bill, your utility, and how you finance the system.
What actually determines your number
- Your electric bill size – a $250/month bill offsets more expensive electricity than a $100/month bill on a similarly priced system, so payback is faster.
- Your utility’s net metering terms – full retail credit pays back faster than a reduced buyback rate. Worth confirming your specific utility’s terms, especially on a municipal utility like OUC.
- How you finance it – cash has the shortest payback. A loan’s interest extends the timeline, since part of each month’s savings goes to interest instead of principal (see our Cost Guide).
- Roof orientation and shading – a south- or west-facing, unshaded roof produces meaningfully more than a heavily shaded or east-facing one.
What happens after payback
Panels are typically warrantied for 25 years or more. Once a system pays for itself, the remaining years are mostly savings – and that savings tends to grow in value over time, since Florida electricity rates have generally trended upward in recent years.
So, is it worth it?
For a Central Florida home with a $200+ monthly electric bill, a decent unshaded roof, and plans to stay put through the payback window, the numbers still tend to work out in the homeowner’s favor – just on a longer timeline than before 2026. For a small electric bill, a heavily shaded roof, or a move planned in the next few years, the case is meaningfully weaker than it used to be. Worth running your own numbers – or plugging them into this solar payback calculator – before deciding either way.
For a broader look at how solar fits into the rest of your finances – financing, resale value, and how it stacks up against other home investments – Is Solar Still Worth It in 2026? from Wrench & Wallet covers that side of the decision in more depth.
This page is for general information only and isn’t financial advice. Payback estimates vary by source and by home – get a personalized estimate from a licensed installer.