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10 best solar companies in St. Petersburg, Florida
Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of St. Petersburg. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
High-quality solar panel installation in St. Petersburg, Florida requires you to find a solar installer with the right certification, skills and experience. We've compiled a list of the highest-rated solar companies in St. Petersburg to help you find the right installer.
Prior to choosing an installer, request referrals from others, evaluate potential companies and collect multiple quotes to find the ideal company for your requirements. You can find a local solar company in St. Petersburg or use a well-known national brand.
- Extends a 25-year system warranty
- Includes upkeep services for leases
- Provides additional insurance coverage
- Extends 25-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Provides solar panel and battery installation
- Offers comprehensive financing
While solar panels are a big upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long run. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that switching to solar energy enables St. Petersburg homeowners to save around $1,400 per year.
The products from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Make sure to compare companies and get quotes before you book your solar panel installation.
Find the top solar company for you in St. Petersburg
Seek out St. Petersburg solar companies with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and comparable customer review platforms. The company should also have a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Look at reviews to understand other homeowners’ experiences with a company, and take note of consistent bad reviews.
Solar Source
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Affordable Solar Roof & Air
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Efficient Home Services
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
ESD Solar
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Green House Solar and Air Inc
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Flo Energy
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Florida Solar LLC
Services offered
Highlights
- Free quotes
- Informative resources
- Reliable customer support
Duralast Roofing and Solar
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Smart House Solar
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Go Tampa Roofer
Services offered
Highlights
- Informative resources
- Reliable customer support
More providers
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Bay Area Solar Solutions
Unicity Solar Energy
Florida Electric & Solar
Solar Train
What are the biggest reasons for going solar in St. Petersburg?
The St. Petersburg region enjoys plenty of sunlight, which is great for homeowners to take advantage of solar energy. Here are some of the major reasons to choose solar:
- Reduce environmental impact: Switching to solar decreases your carbon footprint by conserving fossil fuels that would instead be utilized to power your house. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that generating electricity is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Save on energy bills: You can reduce your energy bills by adopting solar energy. Power from solar panels takes the place of the electricity bought from utility companies.
- Charge an electric vehicle: You have the ability to power electric vehicles at home using solar panels. This provides the greatest assurance that your electric car is fueled by clean, renewable energy.
Facts about St. Petersburg
Monthly Energy Spending Per Capita
Clear Sky Days Per Year
Annual Solar Savings Per kW
How much does it cost to install solar panels in St. Petersburg?
According to the results of our survey carried out in October 2023, the median cost for solar panel installation nationally is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels varies based on several elements, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you choose any extras like solar trackers, animal guards or batteries.
Based on numbers from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA, solar panel installation in St. Petersburg has a typical cost of $11,854.
How much can you save by going solar in St. Petersburg?
Putting in solar panels requires considerable spending upfront, but you can recoup those costs through major reductions in your energy bills down the line.
Money savings in St. Petersburg from going solar
In St. Petersburg, you can expect to save money after going completely to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage impact how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
- Payback period: The average payback period is the amount of time required for a solar panel system to recover its upfront cost through energy bill savings. Based on our calculations, which utilize data from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), NASA and the EIA, St. Petersburg's standard solar payback period is 8 years.
- Annual solar savings in St. Petersburg: Based on calculations that leverage data from the Department of Energy, the EIA and NASA, St. Petersburg homeowners save around $1,405 per year with solar energy.
- Average total solar savings after 25 years: Based on our data from the EIA and NASA, if you make the full switch to solar energy, you can expect to save approximately $25,783 over a 25-year period.
Energy savings in St. Petersburg from going solar
Transitioning to solar not only saves money but also reduces your carbon emissions and environmental footprint. Our calculations using NASA and EPA data show the projected CO2 emission reductions attainable by going solar.
Best solar installation for you
Experts Ready to Help
What solar incentives are available in St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg homeowners can take advantage of various solar incentives. Certain programs are offered statewide to all Florida residents, while others vary based on city, utility company and municipality.
Available solar incentives for Florida homeowners, per DSIRE, include:
| Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
|---|---|
Sales Tax Incentive Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption | All |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property | Residential: 100% of the added value Non-Residential: 80% of the added value |
PACE Financing Florida PACE programs | Determined locally |
Loan Program Lakeland Electric - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program | $5,000 |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
What are common factors to consider before hiring a St. Petersburg solar installer?
Before choosing a solar panel installation expert, evaluate these key considerations.
What size system do you need?
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio determine the appropriate panel system size for you. Bigger residences tend to use more power and will potentially need more extensive solar setups. An undersized system could lead to inadequate energy generation to fully power your home.
Is your home subject to specific permits and regulations?
Your solar plans may be impacted by specific permits and state or local rules. You must acquire proper permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Does your home get enough sunlight access?
Not all residences get equal amounts of sunlight. The tree density, rainfall levels and severe weather can impact solar reception. If your home doesn't get sufficient sun, it may require more panels with higher wattage.
Do you need a solar battery?
To store additional energy, many panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature is essential during storms and helps to mitigate power loss. However, using battery storage can result in higher installation costs.
Which type of solar panel do you want?
You have choices among solar panel types, as they vary in design, efficiency and life expectancy. These elements affect cost, when you'll need to swap panels and the amount of roof area you'll need.
Our methodology for selecting solar companies
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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