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Do I Need To Upgrade My Electric Panel Before Installing Solar?

You wouldn’t buy a video game before getting the right console for it, first. Then, why would you go through the whole process of having solar panels installed if your home can’t handle the influx of solar power? This guide will help you figure out if your home is ready for solar or if you need to upgrade your electric panel for the best outcome. When you call Solar Bear Orlando for professional solar panel installation in your area, you can count on us to help you through every step of the process.

Your Main Breaker Needs at Least 200 Amps

An easy way to tell if your Orlando home is ready for solar is by checking your breaker for its amp rating. Many homes throughout Florida, especially older ones, are only built to handle around 100 amps. For seamless solar power integration and electrical safety, your electric panel needs to be able to transmit at least 200 amps of power. If your new solar panel installation involves larger panels (or a lot of panels), you may need even more than that.

Did You Know?

Failing to check your electric panel capacity before installing solar panels can cause an overload. An overload can spark fires or cause electrical hazards in the home.

Older Electric Panels May Be Too Outdated

Regardless of how many amps your electric panel can accommodate, it might not matter if it’s severely outdated. Electric panels in Orlando that are over 20 years old may not be compatible with modern solar panels. Outfitting an older electric panel that was originally installed a couple of decades ago with a fresh solar panel today could cause your home’s system to shut down, or worse. Unstable electrical components can be incredibly dangerous, putting everyone in the household at risk of sudden fires or other electrical hazards.

You Need to Consider Solar Inverters, Too

Solar panels need a solar inverter to distribute solar power throughout the home. So not only does your electric panel need to be able to handle solar panels, but it should be compatible with your new solar inverter, too. Different inverter types have varying energy outputs, so upgrading your electric panel in Orlando may take precise planning.

An Electric Panel Upgrade Can Prepare You For the Future

Making sure your electric panel is compatible with your solar panels and solar inverter is essential, but it can help to plan for the future, too. The more energy independent you become, the more options become available to you that you may want to invest in for energy savings that reflect on your wallet.

Popular energy appliances that can use solar include:

  • EV charging stations
  • Pool heaters
  • Hot tubs
  • Battery storage
  • And more!

Electric Panel Upgrades Can Count Towards Tax Credits

As long as your new electric panel coincides with solar panel installation, you can count it towards your tax credits for additional savings! Ask your local solar power expert for more information on how this works.

Solar Bear Orlando Helps You Prepare Your Home For Solar!

Your trusted solar panel installers at Solar Bear Orlando can take a look at your home’s electric panel and determine if you need an upgrade before going solar. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to get started on a consultation appointment! We know everything there is to know about energy savings for your Orlando home.

You wouldn’t buy a video game before getting the right console for it, first. Then, why would you go through the whole process of having solar panels installed if your home can’t handle the influx of solar power? This guide will help you figure out if your home is ready for solar or if you need to upgrade your electric panel for the best outcome. When you call Solar Bear Orlando for professional solar panel installation in your area, you can count on us to help you through every step of the process.

Your Main Breaker Needs at Least 200 Amps

An easy way to tell if your Orlando home is ready for solar is by checking your breaker for its amp rating. Many homes throughout Florida, especially older ones, are only built to handle around 100 amps. For seamless solar power integration and electrical safety, your electric panel needs to be able to transmit at least 200 amps of power. If your new solar panel installation involves larger panels (or a lot of panels), you may need even more than that.

Did You Know?

Failing to check your electric panel capacity before installing solar panels can cause an overload. An overload can spark fires or cause electrical hazards in the home.

Older Electric Panels May Be Too Outdated

Regardless of how many amps your electric panel can accommodate, it might not matter if it’s severely outdated. Electric panels in Orlando that are over 20 years old may not be compatible with modern solar panels. Outfitting an older electric panel that was originally installed a couple of decades ago with a fresh solar panel today could cause your home’s system to shut down, or worse. Unstable electrical components can be incredibly dangerous, putting everyone in the household at risk of sudden fires or other electrical hazards.

You Need to Consider Solar Inverters, Too

Solar panels need a solar inverter to distribute solar power throughout the home. So not only does your electric panel need to be able to handle solar panels, but it should be compatible with your new solar inverter, too. Different inverter types have varying energy outputs, so upgrading your electric panel in Orlando may take precise planning.

An Electric Panel Upgrade Can Prepare You For the Future

Making sure your electric panel is compatible with your solar panels and solar inverter is essential, but it can help to plan for the future, too. The more energy independent you become, the more options become available to you that you may want to invest in for energy savings that reflect on your wallet.

Popular energy appliances that can use solar include:

  • EV charging stations
  • Pool heaters
  • Hot tubs
  • Battery storage
  • And more!

Electric Panel Upgrades Can Count Towards Tax Credits

As long as your new electric panel coincides with solar panel installation, you can count it towards your tax credits for additional savings! Ask your local solar power expert for more information on how this works.

Solar Bear Orlando Helps You Prepare Your Home For Solar!

Your trusted solar panel installers at Solar Bear Orlando can take a look at your home’s electric panel and determine if you need an upgrade before going solar. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to get started on a consultation appointment! We know everything there is to know about energy savings for your Orlando home.

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2025 Solar Market Trends to Keep an Eye Out For

Solar isn’t some fringe idea anymore—it’s quickly becoming the country’s fastest-growing energy sector. And in 2025? Solar is changing fast—and if you’re in Tampa, FL, or anywhere else along Florida’s sunny coast, these solar trends in 2025 show that the future of energy is already happening. Here’s what to watch:

1. Solar Is Surging

In 2024, solar accounted for 58% of new electricity generation in the U.S.That’s more than half. And in 2025 the forecast is an additional 26 new gigawatts—that represents a 34% jump in capacity. That’s the equivalent of powering roughly 39 million homes nationwide. Right here in Tampa, more homeowners than ever are going solar—because the math simply makes sense, and so does the mission.

2. Energy Demand Is Exploding—And Solar Can Handle It

Have you heard about data centers? Every digital action pulls electricity from the grid. With billion-dollar tech investments pouring into the U.S. (and Florida’s population still rising), power demand is going through the roof.

Solar—especially utility-scale solar with integrated battery storage is the solution for keeping up. These systems can deliver power around the clock: quietly, efficiently, and cleanly. Even in the dead of night or peak demand.

3. Smarter, Higher-Efficiency Panels Are Here

Want to get more energy from the same amount of roof space? It’s possible. In 2025, we’re seeing big-time advancements in solar panel technology, like:

  • Perovskite and tandem cells (they sound like sci-fi, but they’re real and revolutionary).
  • Bifacial panels that absorb light from both sides.
  • Smarter inverters and energy-management systems that optimize production without you lifting a finger.

4. Solar Storage Is the New Standard

If 2024 was the year of solar installs, 2025 is the year of solar + storage. The combo really is unbeatable—especially in places like Tampa, where grid outages from storms can hit hard and fast. Thanks to new battery tech and smarter grid integration, it’s easier than ever to:

  • Store your excess solar power.
  • Use it when rates spike.
  • Keep the lights on during an outage.

5. Tariffs May Nudge Prices—But Solar Still Wins

Yes, tariffs on imported solar equipment may shift some pricing in 2025. But here’s the full story:

  • S. manufacturing is ramping up—so pricing will stabilize.
  • Federal tax credits (30%) are still in full effect.
  • And electricity rates? They’re only going one way—up.

Even if panel prices tick upward, solar still saves you thousands over time. Plus, if you’re thinking about solar-plus-storage, buying now means avoiding the next round of price bumps on batteries.

6. Tech-Savvy Homes & Net-Zero Communities Are Rising

In 2025, solar represents a complete lifestyle upgrade. Expect to see more:

  • Solar-powered EVs charging in driveways.
  • Whole-home smart energy dashboards.
  • Net-zero neighborhoods with built-in solar and battery systems.
  • AI-powered apps that help homeowners track, store, and sell back excess energy.

And, yes—it’s already happening right here in Tampa Bay, where new developments are leaning hard into sustainable infrastructure.

It’s Never Been Better to Get on Board With Solar in 2025!

If you’re thinking about solar, don’t wait. Call Solar Bear of Tampa at (727) 353-3886 and get ahead of the curve—before pricing changes or demand spikes again. Solar isn’t just the future—it’s the now. And it’s never looked brighter!

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Should I Get Solar Shingles Or Solar Panels In Tampa?

Why would you pass up the chance to get a new roof and add solar to your home all in one go? There are a bunch of drawbacks to solar shingles that you might not have even thought of, but that’s why we’re here. Your trusted solar experts at Solar Bear Tampa put together this in-depth guide with eye-opening insights between solar shingles and solar panels that will help you make the right decision for your home.

What Solar Shingles Will Get You In Tampa

More problems than you signed up for. The main issue that many homeowners in Tampa don’t really think about before getting solar shingles is the high cost. And we’re not just talking about the upfront cost. It doesn’t take much research to find out that solar panels are typically cheaper, but solar shingles can drain your wallet in other ways.

When your roof is damaged, you repair it. When your solar panel is damaged, you repair it. When your solar shingles are damaged, you’re paying for roof and solar repairs. By merging your roofing and solar power into a single entity (that being solar shingles), you create a more expensive asset that’s just as costly to repair or replace when disaster inevitably rolls through Tampa.

You have to think about what’s more important to you. Aesthetics, or saving money.

The Many Perks of Choosing Solar Panels Over Solar Shingles

Aside from an overall lower cost in installation and repairs, choosing solar panels for your Tampa home comes with countless other benefits that make them the better choice in most situations.

Solar panels have higher energy efficiency. Smaller solar shingles can only absorb so much sunlight at a time. Panels are much larger, and have the capacity to store much more sunlight, which can equate to higher energy savings over time.

Solar panels are more powerful. Not only are they able to absorb more sunlight than solar shingles, but solar panels are also capable of putting out more power to be used in almost any given situation.

Solar panels are easier to install. While you may only need to install a few solar panels, you would have to install plenty more shingles to cover your home’s entire roof. Solar panels also don’t require you to dismantle your roof.

Solar panels can be relocated. When you move, you can bring your investment with you, as solar panels are easy to remove and install. Meanwhile, once solar shingles are on, they are on. At least with solar panels, you have the choice to either sell them with your home or load them onto the moving truck.

Enjoy Premium Solar Panels From Solar Bear Tampa. Ask For a Quote Today!

Call Solar Bear Tampa today at (727) 353-3886 to ask for a free quote on solar panel installation in your neighborhood. We carry top-quality solar panels that are guaranteed to improve your home in more ways than one!

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Can You Have Too Many Solar Panels?

Yes, it is entirely possible to have too many solar panels on your Florida home. Not to worry, we’re here to tell you how to find the right number of solar panels for you! Take a look through our in-depth guide before reaching out to your reputable team of solar experts near you at Solar Bear Orlando. Our team will make sure your house is properly equipped to prevent hazards and prioritize your safety!

Excessive Solar Panels Can Make Your Roof Collapse

Sometimes, the weight of going solar can feel like too much for your home to bear. That’s because your house can only hold up so many panels before reaching its physical limit and the roofing starts to cave in on itself. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is by knowing your Orlando home’s structural capacity and comparing that to the weight of the number of solar panels you are looking to get.

You Can Overload Your Inverter With Too Many Solar Panels

An even bigger hazard is that of the electrical kind. When your Orlando home has too many solar panels, it can overload your solar inverter and cause it to short-circuit. This can increase the chances of a fire or other electricity-related accidents in your home. At the very least, your solar panel system can shut down in response. Overloaded solar inverters can also have a negative impact on your home’s energy efficiency.

Your Town’s Public Electrical Grid Might Not Be Able to Handle It

Imagine being the reason for a power outage in your neighborhood. That would be pretty embarrassing, but a likely possibility when you work too many solar panels into your sector’s public electrical grid. If the public grid isn’t equipped to handle a large number of solar panels in one spot, it can become unstable and pose potential hazards. Always follow your electric company’s local voltage regulations in Orlando to prevent the worst from happening.

Excess Solar Energy Can Go to Waste If Not Prepared

Do you believe that you can have too much of a good thing? Whether you believe it or not, it is certainly the case with solar panels. Solar energy is nice, there’s no doubt about that. However, much of the energy you collect can go to waste if you’re not prepared to have more than your system can handle. Without a backup battery, your excess solar power will go back to the grid for net metering in Orlando, but there’s also a chance that the value of the solar energy you put back into the grid won’t equate to a 1:1 conversion.

How to Be Smart With Solar Panel Installation:

1. Go By the 120% Rule

A good rule of thumb is to keep your solar panels within 120% of your home’s annual energy usage in Orlando.

2. Review Local Rules and Regulations

Local regulations are in place for your protection and have been designated by professionals who understand solar and energy usage.

3. Hire a Solar Panel Professional

Local solar panel companies know all of the necessary rules, regulations, and other knowledge for you so you don’t have to spend time on your own research.

Learn more about our solar panel systems on our website!

Play It Safe When You Hire Solar Bear Orlando For Solar Panel Installation

Don’t take your chances on solar panel installation. So many things can go wrong, but trusting Solar Bear Orlando makes it all right! Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to schedule a consultation and start looking out for your safety.