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Is There Such A Thing As Free Solar Panels? Myths, Debunked

Have you heard people talking about free solar panels in your neighborhood in Orlando? Yeah, we’ve heard about them too. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it does, because it is! Here at Solar Bear Orlando, we hear these myths all the time, and it’s time that we debunk them and put them to rest.

So, is there such a thing as free solar panels? Let’s find out.

Myth #1: Free Solar Panels Exist

While anything free is a win in our book, the reality of free solar panels is a little more complicated. While many companies offer “free” solar panel installation as part of their financing packages, there is usually a catch.

You may end up signing a long-term contract or agreeing to pay a higher rate for the electricity that your solar panels generate. Essentially, you may not be paying for the solar installation up front, but you’ll be paying in other ways.

Myth #2: No Payments Ever

Another common misconception is that you can install solar panels with no payment at all. Even if a company offers a zero-down financing option, payments will still be made in some way, whether that’s in electricity bills, lease payments, or maintenance costs.

Myth #3: Solar Energy is Always Cheaper

We love solar energy, and it can indeed save you a lot of money in the long run, but it might not always be less expensive at the start. The initial installation costs can be high, and your overall savings depend on your energy usage, location, and utility rates.

This is why we always recommend calculating your ROI and potential savings before signing on the dotted line or making a decision to install solar.

Myth #4: You’ll Get All the Benefits from Installation

When many companies advertise “free solar panels,” they are really referring to solar leases. This means that they will put a solar system on your home at no up-front cost to you. Of course, this sounds great…at first. You get to power your home with energy from the sun, and save on energy costs, right? Well, technically.

The reality is that even though these panels are installed on your roof, you don’t own the system. Under solar lease agreements, the solar company is the owner, and you are essentially paying them for the electricity that the system produces. That, unfortunately, makes them more like the utility company that you were trying to escape.

The lesson here is that while this can save you a little money each month on energy costs, it’s less than if you own your system. If you aren’t careful, you may even wind up paying more for electricity than you did before installing a solar system. Yikes.

Myth #5. You Can Get Free Panels from the Government

Sorry, as much as we’d like it to be true, you can’t get free solar panels from the government. That said, the government does offer many incentives that can make them much more affordable.

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows homeowners to claim 30% of the equipment and installation costs as a credit on their yearly federal tax bill. This tax credit will apply to any systems installed and in operation before December 31st, 2032.

The catch? To be eligible for the ITC, you have to own the solar system, and in the scenarios we outlined above, the installation company owns the system, not you.

Read More > What Federal and Local Incentives are Offered to Orlando Residents?

Reliable Solar Installations

While free solar panels sound great, they technically don’t exist in the way you are being marketed to, so be careful. Always do your research, understand your options, and consult with trustworthy solar professionals like our team at Solar Bear Orlando before signing any contract.

If you have any questions or want to get a quote on what it would cost to install solar power at your Central Florida home, we’re here to help! Call us at (727) 353-3886 today!

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.

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!

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!