Independent solar advice in Orlando
Lowest install cost in our FL research at $2.09/W. OUC grace period through Fall 2026. Duke Energy FL full retail net metering in outer suburbs.
The federal residential solar tax credit ended on December 31, 2025. We tell you the truth about what is left in 2026: which state programs still apply, and which financing paths can still capture federal value.
Electricity rate as of 2026-06-01. Sun hours: NREL PVWatts Orlando fixed tilt annual average (turbinegenerator.org 5.4 hrs/day). Cost per watt: EnergySage April 2026, Orange County. Payback estimate assumes zero federal residential credit (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025) and current utility net-metering tariffs.
Your utility determines your savings
Orlando metro is split between OUC (City of Orlando and immediate environs) and Duke Energy Florida (suburban Orange County and Osceola County). The two utilities have materially different solar net-metering policies. OUC's PeakSHIFT plan created a time-sensitive grandfathering window that closed June 30, 2025. New OUC customers face a below-retail TruNet rate after Fall 2026. Duke Energy Florida customers remain on full retail rate per Florida PSC rules. Confirm your utility on your electric bill before signing any solar contract.
LADWP is a municipal utility exempt from the CPUC's NEM 3.0 mandate. Customers retain full retail 1:1 net energy metering. Every kilowatt-hour your solar system exports to the grid is credited at the retail rate you pay, estimated at 22 to 37 cents per kWh depending on usage tier.
Export credit: approximately 22 to 37 cents/kWh
Full retail 1:1 NEM. Verify at ladwp.com. Rate as of June 2026.
SCE customers are on the NEM 3.0 Solar Billing Plan, which took effect for new interconnections after April 2023. Under NEM 3.0, solar exports earn only 5 to 8 cents per kWh -- roughly 75 to 80 percent less than the retail rate. Battery storage becomes significantly more valuable for SCE customers: stored solar used during peak TOU hours at 35 to 40 cents per kWh avoids the most expensive grid purchases.
Export credit: approximately 5 to 8 cents/kWh (NEM 3.0)
Solar Billing Plan. Verify at sce.com/nem. Battery storage recommended for SCE territory.
Your address determines your utility. Look up your utility at ladwp.com or sce.com before reviewing any solar proposal. The net-metering difference affects your estimated annual savings by $1,000 to $1,500 on a typical 8 to 9 kW system.
Available programs
Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D): expired. The Section 25D residential investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The residential credit rate is 0%. State and local incentives below may still significantly reduce your net system cost. Commercial systems still qualify for Section 48E (30%).
| Program | Benefit | Eligibility | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OUC TruNet Grandfathered Net Metering Local/State Incentive Funding is limited. Verify availability before signing. | Full retail 1:1 net metering for 20 years for OUC customers with interconnection applications submitted by June 30, 2025. Grandfathered through June 30, 2045. Grandfathering window closed June 30, 2025. OUC customers applying after this date receive grace-period full retail through Fall 2026, then below-retail TruNet rate. Verify your application date with OUC. | OUC residential customers with applications submitted by June 30, 2025 | Limited | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Duke Energy Florida Net Metering Local/State Incentive | Full retail rate net metering per Florida PSC IOU rules for Duke Energy Florida customers in the Orlando metro area Year-end true-up paid at avoided cost (~$0.02-0.03/kWh). Duke implemented multiple rate reductions in 2026 due to lower fuel costs; verify current rate before signing. | Duke Energy Florida residential customers (suburban Orange County, Osceola County) | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Florida Property Tax Exemption (Permanent) Local/State Incentive | 100% of added home value from solar exempt from Orange County property tax assessment through at least 2037 Florida Statute 193.624. Applies statewide. | All Orange County residential solar owners | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Florida Sales Tax Exemption (Permanent) Local/State Incentive | 6% Florida sales and use tax waived on all certified solar equipment | All Florida solar purchasers | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| HB 683 Private Provider Review Local/State Incentive | 5-business-day permit review path statewide via licensed private provider; automatic approval if deadline missed (effective July 1, 2025) | All Florida residential solar permit applicants | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
Data last verified June 1, 2026. Incentive programs change; verify current amounts and availability at dsireusa.org (opens in new tab) before committing to a project.
Why Orlando homeowners are moving now
Walt Disney World announced in April 2026 that its solar projects can produce 100% of daytime power for the entire four-park resort, spanning the equivalent of 366 football fields of panels across Osceola and Polk County sites. This validates Central Florida's solar potential at a scale visible to millions of area residents. For OUC customers, the grace period through Fall 2026 is the last window to lock in full retail credits before the below-retail TruNet rate takes effect.
Source: Walt Disney World 100% solar milestone announcement, April 2026 (Disney Parks Blog) (2026).
Illustrative example
Zero federal residential credit applied (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). Figures are estimates based on market data as of 2026-06-01. Your numbers depend on your roof, your utility, and your bill.
Based on a 14.76 kW system at $2.09/W (EnergySage, April 2026; Orange County) and OUC's residential rate of approximately 11.8 cents/kWh (2026). Zero federal residential credit applied (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). OUC's rate is roughly 30% below the national average, which extends payback compared to higher-rate utilities. New OUC customers who miss the Fall 2026 grace period will earn below-retail export credits, further extending payback in OUC territory. Duke Energy Florida customers at approximately 15.8 cents/kWh (early 2026, declining summer 2026) have faster payback economics for the same system size. Florida's sales tax and property tax exemptions reduce effective ownership cost but are not reflected in gross system cost.
Ready to see what solar works out to for your Orlando home?
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Neighborhoods we serve
Established solar saturation; higher installers per block, active neighbor referrals, and permit history at LADBS.
Designated disadvantaged communities (DAC) eligible for SGIP equity resiliency, DAC-SASH, and other income-qualified programs. Income verification required.
Wildfire-affected and adjacent neighborhoods where battery storage demand surged following the January 2025 fires. Rebuilding homeowners and proximate neighbors with elevated grid-resilience priorities.
Permitting and interconnection
Your local Orlando advisor
[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial with Duke Energy bill comparison and permit timeline]
System: 14 kW rooftop solar, Duke Energy Florida territory
[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial mentioning OUC PeakSHIFT grandfathering decision]
System: 10 kW rooftop solar, OUC territory, grandfathered net metering
For business owners and property managers
Orlando's tourism, hospitality, theme park, and healthcare commercial sectors create significant solar demand. OUC and Duke Energy Florida both operate commercial solar programs. The federal Section 48E commercial Investment Tax Credit was available for projects where construction begins by July 4, 2026. Verify current OUC and Duke commercial interconnection requirements and applicable rates before signing.
See commercial solar optionsCommercial solar projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the 30 percent Section 48E federal tax credit. After that date, the system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027.
Schedule a Free Commercial AssessmentOrlando solar questions
City-specific answers. Every number references your utility and your permit office.
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