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Every long-term homeowner is familiar with the need to re-roof. If you’re re-roofing in Florida, we here at Solar Bear Tampa understand that you might be interested in taking the leap to solar. 

There are undeniably many benefits to roofing with solar, including significant home energy savings on a month-by-month basis. But do solar tax benefits apply if you are re-roofing with solar? 

As with most tax questions, the answer is somewhat complex. 

According to the IRS, solar tax benefits apply to costs “for property that uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in your home located in the United States.” That sounds like it might apply to re-roofing, right? Well, let’s continue to look at what the IRS has to say.

The IRS tax code regarding the solar credit says that “Some solar roofing tiles and solar roofing shingles serve the function of both traditional roofing and solar electric collectors and thus serve functions of both solar electric generation and structural support. These solar roofing tiles and solar roofing shingles can qualify for the credit.”

That sounds pretty promising, but there is a specific clause of the tax credit code that is very important to consider when answering the question of whether solar tax benefits apply if you’re re-roofing. 

It continues like this: “This is in contrast to structural components such as a roof’s decking or rafters that serve only a roofing or structural function and thus do not qualify for the credit.”

That means that if you’re re-roofing for any structural reasons, it’s pretty tricky to claim the solar tax credit. That being said, if you consult a solar professional and a tax attorney, odds are good that together, they can figure out how to choose qualified solar tiles or solar roofing shingles that will apply for the tax credit. 

Solar tax credit or not, there are many reasons to re-roof your home with solar. If you have any questions or need re-roofing advice, call our experts at Solar Bear Tampa today! 

If you are planning to install a solar system for your Orlando home, you may be wondering if you can go entirely off-grid, and if so, is it legal in Florida? That is a complicated question, but one that our team at Solar Bear Orlando is happy to help answer! 

Ready to go off-grid with your solar panels? Keep reading to learn if it is legal in Florida. 

Is it Legal to Live Off-Grid in Florida? 

The short answer is yes, it can be legal, but there are caveats. In remote and rural areas of Florida, it is generally legal to live off-grid and power your home completely with solar power. But if you live in a residential zone, you may not be able to. 

While off-grid solar power is perfect for properties that are unable to get utility services, if you live in a residential zone that is connected to the grid, your solar system must be grid-tied for one very important reason: safety. 

Generally, grid-tied solar systems rely on being near the power grid and extending transmission lines to power your home can become quite expensive. So, if your home is more than 100 yards from the power grid or is very remote, an off-grid option may be worth it.  

MORE> Grid-Tied Solar Systems Vs. Off-Grid 

If you are interested in installing solar panels in Orlando, Florida, you know who to call! Contact our team at Solar Bear today for a solar installation quote and to discuss what incentives you may qualify for— 407-904-7585!

Florida Zoning Laws

All the land in Florida is under some sort of zoning. Zoning laws are put in place to regulate things like tall buildings and minimum lot and home sizes. Zoning also dictates what you can do with and on your property. 

Before planning to go off-grid with your solar system, it is important to research the local zoning laws, so you are aware of what is permitted and what isn’t. 

Some common zoning areas in Florida include:

• Industrial
• Commercial
• Agricultural
• Rural residential
• Residential 
• Environmentally sensitive areas 

In rural and remote areas, you will likely to able to live off the electricity grid, but in residential areas, it can be quite difficult to do. 

Off-Grid Electricity in Florida 

In Florida, if you do not live in a remote or rural area and have a solar system, you are required to be tied into the power grid. Florida law supports the idea that in the event of a power outage, ALL power needs to go out, including your solar system. If your solar system continued to feed the power grid with energy through net metering while the power was out, it could put utility workers at risk as they work to restore power to the grid. 

Being tied to your utility company means that your solar system is connected to the power meter but when you are off grid, you are only tied to your meter. Being completely off-grid requires more money up-front, while when you are grid-tied, you have the flexibility to choose whether you want to participate in net metering or install backup batteries. 

It would be amazing if you could go completely off-grid in residential areas, especially due to our ample sunshine in Florida, but unfortunately, the current Florida legislature rules make it hard to go completely grid-free. 

LEARN MORE> Everything Your Need to Know About Net Metering 

Go Solar in Orlando 

There has never been a better time to harness the power of the sun to power your Orlando, Florida home! Going solar is easy in Florida with the help of our experienced team at Solar Bear. While your solar panels may still have to be grid-tied, you can take advantage of net metering or reach near independence with the installation of backup batteries. 

Plus, with federal and state tax credits, PACE financing, and other incentives, going solar in Orlando couldn’t be more cost-effective. 

Ready to go solar and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with generating your own power? You’ve come to the right place! Call Solar Bear Orlando for an energy audit and installation quote today—407-904-7585!

At Solar Bear Tampa, we know that each home has different solar needs. That’s why our friendly team of solar experts is always on-hand, ready to help you decide what your best solar options are. Regardless of which kind of solar setup you decide to go with for your home, a big part of what makes your solar-powered home effective around the clock, night and day, is your solar backup system. But there’s a difference between whole-home solar backup and critical load. 

Having whole-home solar backup means that when the power grid goes down in the event of a blackout or a storm, your home’s power switches over to an inverter, which is fed by high-powered solar batteries. This switch will allow your home to remain powered as long as there is charge in the batteries. Sounds pretty good, right? Whole-home solar backup is certainly a powerful tool but depending on how large your home is (and how much energy you use on average), this option can get pretty expensive. 

The other option is critical load backup. In essence, critical load backup works the same way as whole-home backup does, only instead of using battery power to run every single electric thing in your home, with critical load backup, you choose which appliances to provide power to in case of a blackout, so that you don’t run down your battery power so quickly. (And so that you don’t have to purchase giant, expensive solar batteries capable of powering the entire home). For instance, most people choose to apply critical load backup to appliances like their refrigerator (so that they don’t have to worry about food going bad during an outage), lighting, any well pumps your home may use, or televisions and outlets for charging small devices. 

Typically, appliances that use large amounts of power are ovens, stoves, laundry machines, and for that reason, they’re not usually considered critical load appliances. If you do want to maintain power to any of those appliances during an outage, you’ll likely want to consider using whole-home backup rather than critical load backup, since they’ll require the same amount of power to run on critical load backup anyway. 

If you need further advising on whether whole-home backup or critical load is right for your home, call Solar Bear Tampa today!

When building a new home or remodeling the exterior of your home, solar can be a great option to take your home to the next level. There are many ways to incorporate solar power into your home that can increase the value of your home and help you gain energy independence. 

Learn some amazing ways to remodel the exterior of your home with solar! 

Install a Solar System

When renovating the exterior of your home, consider installing a solar panel array on your roof to make your home more energy efficient. 

Keep in mind, multiple factors can influence the value that solar panels could add to your exterior remodel. These can include:

• Geographic location: Different states and cities can have different electrical costs and the higher the costs the greater the value for your solar panels. Where you live can also influence the amount of sun exposure that your panels will get during the day. Luckily in Florida, we have plenty of sunshine! 

• Local solar prices: Also, you will need to consider the cost of installing solar in your area. Your home will be more valuable if buyers are searching for homes with solar systems already installed. 

• System output: A larger system will generate more energy and can provide more value as you renovate your home’s exterior. 

Don’t forget about the Federal Solar Tax Credit when installing your solar panels! 

LEARN MORE> 3 Ways Solar Power Increases Your Home’s Value

Solar Shingles 

Though solar panels can be a great investment in your home, some homeowners aren’t crazy about the look of conventional solar panels. Enter solar shingles. Solar shingles combine the best parts of being able to generate solar electricity with the reliability of traditional shingles and can be used as the primary roofing material on your house. (Plus, they look great!)

If you are already planning on getting solar and need a new roof, solar shingles might be something that you want to consider. When viewed from the street, they look quite similar to traditional shingles and also come in other styles that can mimic clay tile or slate as well. The best part? Solar shingles are extremely tough and have long-term benefits not only for your roof’s longevity but for energy production. 

Solar Carports

If you are planning to install a carport during your exterior remodeling, make it a solar carport! Solar carports have become popular over the years for easy charging of electric vehicles (EVs). But solar carports aren’t just for charging your EV! They can also provide energy for your home since they produce just as much (or more) energy as a standard roof-mounted system. 

The best part is that solar carports can take full advantage of all that Florida sunshine by being installed towards the sun. 

MORE> How Electric Vehicle Owners Are Saving with Solar Power

Solar Pergolas

Take your solar project one step further and install a solar pergola. Not only will you have a beautiful and unique entertaining area, but you will be able to generate energy for your home while relaxing outside! Solar panels can provide shade for your outdoor entertaining areas. 

Plus, solar panels can be added to your existing pergola and is a great option if you want to avoid putting solar panels on your roof. 

Solar Pool Heaters

If you have an in-ground pool, you can heat it during the colder months with a solar pool heating system. It’s quite simple: water is filtered from your pool then circulated through pipes to solar collectors where it is heated and piped back to your pool. Unlike a traditional pool heater, a solar-powered pool heater costs very little to maintain and generates its own electricity. 

Go Solar in Florida. Choose Solar Bear 

If you are ready to reap the benefits of installing a solar panel system during your exterior home remodel, give our team at Solar Bear a call! We are experts in solar energy and will help you decide which solar option is best for your home and energy needs. 

Schedule a solar power consultation today: 407-972-1268