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Solar energy is becoming a popular choice for many homes across the U.S., and for good reason. Not only is going solar a renewable and environmentally-friendly energy option for your home, but it’s also cost-effective. If you’re ready to consider solar energy for your home, it all starts with a little research. It’s essential to do your due diligence to ensure that you understand what solar typically costs in the metro area to help you choose one of the best solar companies in Tampa
Tampa, Florida, with its population of 387,037, has a lower cost of living than the national average, which typically results in local services costing less. However, this isn’t always true when it comes to solar, because the amount of sun the area receives will also drive this cost. Areas that receive more sun typically have a wider range of options when it comes to solar, meaning you can shop around and find a price that fits your budget. On average, Tampa sees about 321 sunny days annually.
There are many solar companies in Florida that service Tampa from Sun Bay South to University Square and all neighborhoods in-between. We reviewed them to let you know what companies are the best. Here are our findings.
Finding the best solar installation company is crucial to implementing solar on your property. Based on our research, these are the 10 best solar companies in Tampa:
West Bay Energy – 4.8/5
Customer Rating
5.0
Total User Ratings
73
Response Time Score
2.1
Company Description
West Bay Energy is a Pinellas Park, Florida-based solar company serving the Tampa area. West Bay handles everything in the solar process in-house, from the design to the construction and installation of each custom system. It offers solar panel installation, electrical panel upgrades and backup power solutions.
Additional Details
- Address: 6260 39th St. N Ste I, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
- Phone Number: (727) 288-6744
- Complaints Ratio: 0%
Freedom Sun Solar – 4.8/5
Customer Rating
5.0
Total User Ratings
61
Response Time Score
1..8
Company Description
Freedom Sun Solar is a Tampa-based full-service solar panel installation company. The pros offer residential and commercial solar solutions, including ground- and roof-mounted solar installations and repairs, as well as solar backup power and storage solutions.
Additional Details
- Address: 13030 Tampa Oaks Blvd. Ste 3331, Temple Terrace, FL 33637
- Phone Number: (941) 413-1379
- Complaints Ratio: 0%
Daylight Concepts – 4.8 / 5
Customer Rating
4.9
Total User Ratings
161
Response Time Score
1.0
Company Description
Daylight Concepts might not be your typical solar company, but these pros make the most of the sun’s energy. The company installs solar tubes that collect sunlight and pour it into the home for plenty of natural light. Customers will enjoy same-day installations, as well.
Additional Details
- Address: 6710 Benjamin Rd. #100, Tampa, FL 33634
- Phone Number: (813) 328-1375
- Complaints Ratio: 0%
Transform Solar – 4.7 / 5
Customer Rating
4.9
Total User Ratings
51
Response Time Score
0.1
Company Description
Transform Solar is a commercial and residential solar installation company in the Tampa area thatinstalls solar panels and storage and backup units. Transform handles the entire process from consultation and design to permitting and construction.
Additional Details
- Address: 201 E Selma Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
- Phone Number: (813) 565-1443
- Complaints Ratio: 0%
Tesla Solar – 4.7 / 5
Customer Rating
5.0
Total User Ratings
25
Response Time Score
0.1
Company Description
Tesla Solar is a nationwide solar panel and system installation company serving Tampa, Florida customers with the latest in solar tech. Tesla can handle the installation of standard solar panels and solar tiles, battery backup systems and EV charger installation for Tesla customers.
Learn More: Tesla Solar Panels Review
Additional Details
- Address: 11945 N Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone Number: (813) 861-2820
- Complaints Ratio: 0%
Circuit Electric Solar – 4.7 / 5
Customer Rating
4.9
Total User Ratings
181
Response Time Score
4.0
Company Description
Whether it’s commercial or residential solar services they need, Tampa area customers may want to consider Circuit Electric Solar. This full-service company offers a wide range of installation types and services, including roof- and ground-mounted solar panels on carports and patios, battery backup and storage as EV charging stations. Circuit can also handle electrical projects like renovations, design and generator installation.
Additional Details
- Address: 2548 30th Ave. N, St.. Petersburg, FL 33713
- Phone Number: (727) 800-8237
- Complaints Ratio: 0%
Solar22 – 4.7 / 5
Customer Rating
5.0
Total User Ratings
12
Response Time Score
-1.9
Company Description
Solar22 installs solar panel systems in the Tampa, Florida area. These pros can handle new installations, solar system maintenance, solar panel repair and solar removals and reinstallations. Solar22 even performs solar health checks to ensure customers’ systems are working properly.
Additional Details
- Address: 1546 Main St., Dunedin, FL 34698
- Phone Number: (813) 575-3200
- Complaints Ratio: 0%
Efficient Home Services – 4.7 / 5
Customer Rating
4.7
Total User Ratings
626
Response Time Score
-1.2
Company Description
Efficient Home Services, or EHS, is a full-service solar panel and roofing installation company in the Tampa area. The company specializes in solar solutions such as panel installation, battery storage and backup as well as roofing and HVAC.
Additional Details
- Address: 9416 International Ct N, St.. Petersburg, FL 33716
- Phone Number: (727) 610-8460
- Complaints Ratio: 0.0%
Bay Area Solar Solutions – 4.7 / 5
Customer Rating
5.0
Total User Ratings
11
Response Time Score
-2.2
Company Description
Bay Area Solar Solutions is a Tampa-area full-service solar installation company. Bay Area takes on projects such as solar electric systems, solar attic fans, energy storage and battery backup installations.
Additional Details
- Address: 6730 46th Ave. N, St.. Petersburg, FL 33709
- Phone Number: (727) 262-3135
- Complaints Ratio: 0.0%
Summary: Compare the Best Solar Installation Companies in Tampa
What to Consider When Choosing a Solar Installation Company in Tampa
Multiple elements are worth considering when determining which of the 580 Tampa solar installation companies is best for your home. Knowing if the size of your property is around 1,686 square feet—the median for the Tampa metro area—will help you determine how many panels you need.
Here are a number of other factors to keep in mind.
Size of the System You Need
When considering solar, you’ll need to know how many panels or what size solar system you need for your home. When determining how many solar panels you’d need, you should have the following information ready before consulting with a company:
- How much energy your household uses
- How much space you have on your roof
- How many hours of sun your home gets
- The type of panels you wish to install
Also, tell your potential solar company how many people are in your household. Tampa has three people in the average household, so installers may use this average number as a benchmark for how much solar energy you need.
Solar Warranties
Solar companies offer different warranties on their products and services, but you can find some common themes among the most prominent companies. For example, most solar companies and vendors offer 25-year warranties for solar panel performance and factory defects. Warranties for other elements, such as battery and charge controllers, vary depending on the item and the manufacturer.
You may find that some companies also include extra insurance and protection options for situations like property damage during installation, since the installation process involves altering your existing structures to accommodate the technology and wiring. Workmanship guarantees usually come standard, but coverage length can vary as well.
If you plan to lease your solar system, most companies will cover all issues throughout the contract duration. Also, they will typically take responsibility for solar system maintenance.
- Types of Solar Warranties: Manufacturer’s Equipment Warranty (Product Guarantee): Also called a product warranty, a manufacturer’s equipment warranty usually offers 25 years of protection for premium, high-quality solar panels and covers manufacturing defects and panel failure.
- Performance Warranty (Power Guarantee): A power guarantee is a promise from the manufacturer that your solar panels will maintain an output of a specified percentage of their original levels. Typical performance warranties range from 10 to 25 years and promise percentages of around 90% after 10 years and about 80% after 25 years.
- Workmanship Warranty: A workmanship or installation warranty covers any damage to your solar energy system caused during or as a result of installation. Coverages have a wide range from two to 15 years or more.
Solar Panel Type
Determining which type of solar panels will best suit your lifestyle is an important part of choosing an installation company. For residential use, there are typically three solar panel options: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. A fourth option, solar shingles, are newer and less cost-effective. But if money is less of an obstacle, solar roofing shingles are great for those who prefer a sleeker finished look.
Monocrystalline solar panels: These are the most frequently installed panels, boasting the highest efficiency rating of 20% or higher with warranties that typically last 25 years. Monocrystalline panels tend to cost the most upfront, as it costs more to manufacture them.
Polycrystalline solar panels: This panel option is typically less costly to build than its monocrystalline counterpart, making it cheaper to buy but also less efficient. Each panel produces about 250 watts of power instead of 300 or more. Polycrystalline panels resemble the more popular versions, though, and last nearly as long depending on the brand.
Thin-film solar panels: The most cost-effective option, thin-film solar panels are much lighter in comparison. They tend to be less efficient overall.
Solar shingles: For those with larger budgets, solar shingles may be the way to go. While they tend to be less efficient than monocrystalline panels (they have between 14% and 18% efficiency), shingles are a more attractive option.
Cost
Monocrystalline solar panels are pricey, costing an average of $1 to $1.50 per watt. On the other side of the price spectrum, thin-film panels cost between $0.43 and $0.50 per watt.
Shingles are a newer technology and accordingly cost more money and require a more in-depth installation.
Tampa Home Energy Needs
Based on the size of the median Tampa household, which is 1,686 square feet, and the average energy usage per household in Florida, which is 1,096 kWh per household you can estimate how much energy your home might require. This information can help you determine which solar company can best take care of your home’s needs within your budget.
How to Find the Best Tampa Solar Installers
Know what your household needs most when it comes to solar panels (perhaps an affordable price range or a certain amount of daily wattage), and ensure that each installation company knows as well. The following tips will further help you choose the best solar company in Tampa.
Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t be afraid to shop around for the right price for your panels. Numbers may vary greatly from company to company, so Forbes Home recommends getting quotes from at least four to five businesses. This will help establish a general price range for your area. But, of course, picking a solar installation company that’s legitimate and within budget is most important. To avoid scams, it’s typically best to avoid any offers that seem too good to be true.
Read Reviews From Tampa Homeowners
As with most products and services we purchase these days, you can gain a lot of insight from researching any company you’re interested in and checking out their ratings and reviews from sites like Facebook and Google. This can be a valuable asset when deciding which solar installer is right for you. If there aren’t enough reviews online for you to make an informed decision, feel free to contact the company directly and ask for testimonials from some of their past customers.
Choose an Established Reputable Solar Company
Not all solar companies are made equal. Some have long standing histories; others are newcomers to the alternative energy industry. New installation companies certainly have their merits, but it may be worth noting that older businesses will likely have a greater online footprint—which means more company reviews and trust ratings.
Aside from their reputation, more established solar companies may also be able to operate in more parts of the country.
Tampa Solar Federal Solar Incentives
Tampa offers an array of advantages for households embracing solar energy. One notable benefit is the Federal Solar Incentive Tax Credit (ITC), which can significantly reduce tax liability. To qualify for the ITC, you must have a newly installed solar system or one used for the first time between December 31, 2021, and before January 1, 2033. In 2033, the credit is set to reduce before going away completely in 2035.
For instance, if you decide to adopt solar power during this period, you could be eligible for a solar tax credit covering up to 30% of the total cost of your solar system. This solar tax credit not only contributes to a greener environment but also eases the financial burden for Tampa residents switching to solar energy.
Tampa Local Solar Incentives
Tampa, Florida, is a great place to go solar. The city has been committed to promoting the widespread adoption of solar energy systems through various local incentives. These solar incentives encompass exemptions, tax credits, financing options and other valuable benefits.
Solar panels are a cost-effective way to power your home, even though they may be more expensive than other forms of renewable energy. However, there are programs like the Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption that offer sales tax exemptions on purchasing solar energy systems and components for your home or business.
The Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property is another local solar incentive to take advantage of. This program makes it more feasible for property owners to harness solar and other renewable energy sources. The abatement allows owners to avoid property tax increases that are due to solar panels.
Additionally, the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program makes it easier for property owners to invest in solar installations by allowing people to invest in solar without a costly upfront payment. Subsequent payments are tied to property tax bills.
Solar Panel Costs in Tampa
To calculate how much solar panels will cost in Tampa, calculate the average price for a solar system in Florida overall (6kW/8kW/10kW/12kW), and account for federal solar tax credits as well. To finish, find your average kWh usage per month using Tampa’s general average kWh as your starting point.
For reference, solar panels cost about $16,000 or anywhere from $3,500 to $35,000 depending on the model, manufacturer and type.
How Much Can Going Solar Save You in Tampa?
The savings involved in going solar are definitely a plus. But if you live in Tampa, you may be wondering how much you can actually save by installing solar panels. To get a better estimate of your potential savings, consider the average cost for grid power per kilowatt-hour, which is $0.16, in addition to the average household kWh usage per month, which is 1,096 kWh. With this information, you can better estimate how much power your home uses in comparison to the overall cost of grid power in your area.
Tampa residents who can rely exclusively on solar will save, on average, $1,783 per year. That assumes a 6kW system that’s paid off over 25 years. However, this doesn’t include any state-specific incentives that may be available in your area. Another reason to consider solar: Utility rates typically rise by 2.2% each year, so keep this in mind when calculating your potential savings.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in Tampa?
While costs can be a lot up front, solar panels can help save you money on your energy bill in the long run. Considering that Tampa gets an average of 321 days of sun and the total potential savings of installing solar in Tampa, which is $1,783 annually, and how many solar installations occur in Tampa (around 981), you can determine if the cost and effort of installing solar will be worth the savings later.
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Local Solar Companies By City
Methodology
For this list, Forbes Home analyzed the customer service quality of solar companies in Tampa, Florida,. We ranked each solar company based on several data points related to customer experience.
Here’s the weighting assigned to each category:
Ratio of Low to High Star Ratings (35%)
We analyzed the number of Google reviews for each company against the ratings associated with those reviews. Companies with a higher percentage of positive reviews received more points than companies with a higher rate of negative reviews.
Response Time (25%)
Companies that offer speedy response times received more points than companies with longer or inconsistent response times.
Hours of Operation (10%)
Solar installers with longer operating hours were considered more accessible and thus received a higher score.
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Ratio of Complaints to Reviews (25%)
We compared the number of complaints for each solar installer based on their reviews. A lower complaints ratio resulted in a higher score.
Offers a Website (5%)
Solar installers with an official website receive a higher score, as we believe it indicates professionalism and provides customers with additional information.
Other Important Methodology Notes
- Bayesian rating: We computed a Bayesian rating for each solar installer based on their average rating and the total number of ratings. This provides a more reliable score than a simple average rating, especially when comparing businesses with different numbers of ratings.
- Response time: We estimated each installer’s response time based on their reviews. A faster response time results in a higher score. We surmised that a solar company with more reviews and a higher average rating has a faster response time.
- Total score: We then calculated the total score for each solar installer by applying the category weights to each data point.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if my home produces more electricity than I need?
On average, solar panel systems start at 1 kW and produce between 750 and 850 kilowatt-hour (KwH) annually. Most residential properties produce anywhere between 250 and 400 watts of electricity.
If you determine that your home is producing more electricity than it needs, a few factors could be at play. Either your household is using less energy than usual, you’ve installed more panels on your house than it needs or your home is just receiving increasing amounts of direct sunlight. Either way, you may be eligible to give that excess energy to your local grid and receive a credit from your local energy company.
Do solar panels increase property taxes?
Because solar panels typically increase the overall value of a home, they will likely increase property taxes as well. You may, however, be able to receive tax credits or deductions from the federal government to help offset costs.
How long will it take to break even after installing solar panels?
You can expect to break even after between six and 10 years, or around eight years on average.
How much solar panel output will my system generate every day?
This formula can help you determine how much energy a solar panel will produce:
Power in watts x average hours of direct sunlight = daily watt-hours
For example, a 300W solar panel gets six hours of sun daily, the total power output is reached by multiplying 300Wh by 6 which equals 1800Wh or 1.8kWh.
How many solar panels are needed to power a house?
If you want to cover 100% of your electricity needs, the average United States household will need approximately 20 to 25 panels. This broad estimate will vary depending on your household’s energy habits, sun exposure, geographic location and panel efficiency.
For a more specific count, look into a home audit and energy consultation to determine how much electricity your system needs to generate and how much storage capacity is necessary to power your home 24 hours a day. The consultation will result in calculating the number of panels your home requires and any associated energy storage solutions.
Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
Forbes Home adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Samantha Allen – Editor
Sami Allen is an editor with a decade of experience in editorial and who is currently the managing editor at Forbes Home. She got her start in lifestyle writing and editing at Oprah Magazine and more recently sharpened her home repair and design skills at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor.
Corinne Tynan – Editor
Corinne Tynan is a highly skilled contributing editor at Forbes Home, with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas such as interior design and home improvement. With over 10 years of experience in writing, editing and SEO content strategy for digital properties, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, buybuy BABY, Harmon and Macy’s, Corinne brings a unique perspective and deep understanding of all things related to enhancing and beautifying homes.
Lexie Pelchen – Editor
Lexie is a deputy editor at Forbes Home and has over 6 years of professional experience as a writer and editor in the home improvement space. She’s previously worked at sites such as HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).