Best 10 Solar Companies in Tampa, FL

With Tampa's clear skies and little rainfall, it's an ideal area for families and businesses looking to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. With all the options to choose from in this urban jungle, you might feel overwhelmed searching for a great installer. Discover Tampa's top-rated solar companies and learn key decision-making advice on this page.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to assess the best Tampa solar companies.

• Professional licensure and experience: Each provider on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Tampa community for more than a decade.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and improve its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Tampa solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple benefits. Let's look at a few of them.

• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home functioning through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery storage system.
• Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Tampa Homeowners?

Florida homeowners who choose solar could qualify for rebates, special financing, reimbursements and tax credits. Here are just a few of the area's incentive offerings.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Tampa

The more thorough your company research is, the better your solar system will ultimately work. Consider each of these aspects in your company search.

Licensing and Training

Once an electrical professional in Florida has four years of field experience, including one year as an apprentice, they can pass two tests to earn a CV license with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. Florida also allows electrical contractors to install solar panels, but they may need to subcontract some tasks to a licensed roofer. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most recognized are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, backed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Tampa

Your photovoltaic panels' style will impact how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more productive and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor provides these optional components, so look for a company that sells them if it's crucial for you.

A majority of Tampa homeowners opt for solar systems rated for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $16,050 to install, considering both parts and installation. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Tampa

Choosing the correct financing solution will impact your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, loans, leases, and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they save you from paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Like a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) allows you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and cannot use solar incentives. Ask each business you're vetting about the payment options it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the most suitable option for your financial situation.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Tampa.

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar power systems until the year 2032. Local and state governments and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and specialized financing options that could save you more.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy