Category: Uncategorized

Ready to make the switch to a cleaner, more efficient future by investing in solar panels for your Florida home? Any Florida homeowner who wants to install solar panels must hold an appropriate solar insurance policy. Currently, Florida utility companies separate solar systems into distinct tiers according to system size, measured in Kilowatts (kW). Here’s an introduction to the various tier requirements for solar in Florida, and the insurance requirements that accompany them.

Introduction to Solar Tiers

While the exact terms of your utility company’s Interconnection Agreement vary depending on the company you work with, there are three tiers that are generally recognized throughout Florida:

• Tier 1: Systems less than or equal to 10 kW.
• Tier 2: Systems larger than 10kW, up to 100kW.
• Tier 3: Systems larger than 100kW.

Some homeowners can completely cover their energy needs with a Tier 1 system, but larger systems in Tier 2 are becoming increasingly common. Tier 2 systems need proof of Tier 2 insurance, which includes a Personal Liability Policy (PLP) that provides coverage of at least $1 million. You’ll also need to provide supporting documentation—including a financial statement—that outlines the value and size of your solar system and the insurance policy you hold.

What Is a PLP?

A PLP is commonly referred to as an “umbrella policy.” It provides homeowners with extra coverage that reaches beyond their typical home and auto insurance liability coverage limits. While there is no reason to believe your solar system is dangerous, a PLP covers damages if someone is injured or killed by the system.

Why Do I Need Solar Insurance?

While solar energy systems are incredibly safe, utility companies are looking to protect themselves from any risk. They require homeowners to hold a PLP to protect themselves from liability should a customer’s solar system cause injury or death. While there is some discussion and dispute throughout Florida about whether there’s even a need for tier solar insurance, for now, homeowners must comply with regulations and requirements—you must hold at least a $1 million PLP, or you forfeit your source of electricity.

How Affordable Is PLP Insurance?

Luckily, it doesn’t cost much to hold a valid PLP for Tier 2 solar insurance. Most policies are around $15 per month, and you’ll more than make up for the cost on your electricity bills. Plus, there is a big boost in your property value along with other benefits like Federal Tax Credits.

Make the Switch to Solar Today!

Still have questions about solar insurance? The solar experts at Solar Bear – Tampa are standing by to help! We’re ready to help you make the switch to solar, helping you save money on your energy bills and increase your property value in the process! Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to schedule your free estimate.

Living in the Sunshine State, solar energy is a good way to offset utility costs, and if you are considering solar panels for your home, you’ll want to understand Florida’s solar tax credits.

There are several benefits to going solar, including tax savings! Our team at Solar Bear Orlando outlines everything you need to know about Florida’s tax credits.

Going Solar in Florida

Statewide, Florida averages about 237 sunny days each year. But that isn’t the only reason why it’s an optimal space for installing solar panels; additional incentives in Florida can minimize your initial investment. Now that’s a great perk! 

Now, let’s talk about some of the best tax incentives for Florida residents who are going solar.

What Are Florida Solar Rebates and Tax Credits?

Currently, there are no statewide solar panel rebates in Florida. However, tax credits can still make the installation of solar systems in the Sunshine State more affordable.

• Sales Tax Exemption: Under Florida’s Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption, Floridians are exempt from paying the 6% sales tax on their solar panels.
• Net Metering: Net metering is allowed in the state of Florida and the Greater Orlando area, which means that utility customers who generate solar energy through their solar panel system can sell Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) back to the utility company. These credits can be used to pay for energy costs within the next 12 months.

It is important to note that these incentives may not last forever. In March 2022, Florida lawmakers passed a bill that would phase out net metering incentives by 2029, even though 84% of Florida residents support net metering.

What is the Solar System Sales Tax Exemption in Florida?

According to Florida statutes, all solar energy systems and components that are purchased and installed in Florida are exempt from sales tax.

This means that you will save 6% of what you would regularly pay.

What is Florida’s Property Tax Exemption?

Florida’s Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property incentive is set to run through 2037. With this incentive, Florida homeowners are 100% exempt from paying property taxes to improve their homes with solar panels.

What Federal Investment Tax Credits are Available?

Anyone around the country, not just Floridians, stands to benefit from the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit or ITC, which was extended by Congress in August 2022.

The ITC covers the system, labor costs, energy storage devices, and more. Homeowners can enjoy a 30% credit for solar installation between 2022-2032.

The tax credit will decrease to:

• 26% for systems installed in 2033.
• 22%for systems installed in 2034.

The tax credit will expire starting in 2035 unless the United States renews it.

Am I Eligible for the Federal Solar Tax Credit?

You may be eligible for this tax credit if you meet these requirements:

• Your solar PV system was installed between January 1st, 2017, and December 31st, 2034.
• The solar system is located at a residence that you own in the United States.
• The solar system is new or being used for the first time.

Either:

• You own the solar PV system (you purchased it with cash or through financing, but you aren’t leasing the system)
• Or you purchased an interest in an off-site community solar project if the electricity is credited against it and doesn’t exceed your home’s electricity consumption.

Note: The credit can only be claimed on the original installation of the solar equipment.

How Many Years Can the Federal Solar Tax Credit Be Claimed?

You can only claim the Federal Solar Tax Credit for one year on every residential system installed. This means that you cannot get tax credits for two years or more for the same solar system.

But let’s say that you don’t owe any taxes this year but just installed a new solar energy system. You don’t have to claim the tax credit right away, you can apply it to your tax liability from the previous year or any time in the next 20 years. However, it is important to seek guidance from a licensed tax professional when seeking advice for redeeming the credit.

Florida Solar Installations

Florida’s ample sunshine is an affordable, reliable, and clean way of producing electricity that can reduce dependence on the electrical grid.

Moreover, the government provides several enticing tax credits and other incentives for those who choose to invest in solar energy. So, what are you waiting for?

Ready to harness the power of Florida’s ample sunshine? Call on our team at Solar Bear Orlando for a solar installation quote at (727) 471-7442!

Homeowners with slanted roofs might not think twice about installing solar panels, but those with flat roofs on their property may wonder if collecting solar energy is even practical for their situation. Today, the experts at Solar Bear Dallas are here to inform you of whether you can install solar if you have a flat roof, and if it’s even worth it.

The Short Answer: Yes!

Solar panels can technically be installed on flat roofs, but there are some ups and downs. The good news is the downsides can be easily overcome with the right equipment and professional help. To get a couple of the cons out of the way, a solar panel that’s laid completely flat might not see as much sun as a solar panel that’s been angled upward. Since the sun moves from east to west, it’s entirely possible that your upward-facing panel might not get direct sunlight. Another concern is that your flat panels will be more prone to collecting dust and pools of water which can either damage the tech inside or decrease your solar-collecting efficiency. However, there is a very simple way around these issues that can actually make flat roofs more advantageous than slanted-roof setups in many ways, and the answer is in tilted mounting equipment.

The Benefits of Solar Panels On A Flat Roof

With the help of tilted mounts, a flat roof instantly goes from being at a clear disadvantage to being an open canvas where you have the means to get creative. You can turn your solar panel system into whatever you want it to be.

Choose Your Orientation

Tilted mounts on a flat roof give you the advantage of choosing the best angle for your solar panel in receiving the highest possible energy output for your location. This is a clear benefit over tilted roofs where your only option is to point your panels in whatever direction your roof allows. Tilted mounts can even be adjusted higher or lower depending on the current season.

Easier Installation

Certain accommodations need to be made on a tilted roof as you and your tools are prone to sliding off if you’re not careful. Meanwhile, installing solar panels on a flat roof can be as easy as walking on the ground and you don’t need to pay careful attention to where you set down your tool bag.

Visual Appeal

Solar panels already have the potential to increase your property value, but panels installed on a flat roof can further help your case. Since they’re not as easy to see from the street, you can maintain the visual appeal of your home or commercial building while still getting in on solar energy.

Getting the Best Solar Panel Installation In Dallas

Have a flat roof? No problem! Call the solar experts at Solar Bear Dallas at (727) 471-7442 for a free estimate on quality solar panels and how you can maximize your solar energy output regardless of the type of roof you have. Tilted or flat, we’re the best company in Texas for hooking you up with the means of obtaining optimal solar power!

Concerned that your solar system might be creating a glaring problem for your neighbors? It is a common concern for homeowners that install solar systems. After all, no one wants their rooftop solar panels to become a neighborhood nuisance!

Fortunately, you can put this worry to bed. Your solar panels are not likely to blind your neighbors anytime soon. Our team at Solar Bear Orlando explains why.

Solar Panels & Glare

The amount of light that is reflected off a solar panel’s surface depends on the amount of sunlight hitting its surface, its surface reflectivity, geographic location, time of year, solar panel orientation, and cloud cover.

“Glare” is defined as a continuous source of excessive brightness. It occurs when sunlight is reflected off a flat, shiny surface. Solar panels are flat and somewhat shiny, but they are designed to capture light, not reflect it.

High-quality photovoltaic solar panels cause less glare than standard home window glass. Research shows that they reflect less light than snow, white concrete, and white rooftops.

To maximize light absorption, solar modules are coated with anti-reflective materials. Plus, solar panels are often textured with tiny indentations that lessen the amount of sunlight that is reflected. Some solar panels are even designed with additional light-trapping properties that help boost energy production while reducing glare. 

Reflectivity and Solar Panel Glare

Solar panels may reflect some light, but how much? Not much! Since solar panels convert light into electricity, they perform best when they absorb as much light as possible and don’t reflect it. This is why to improve their efficiency; they are coated with anti-reflective paint.

Glare Won’t Be Visible to Neighbors

Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that your rooftop solar panels did reflect some light or create a glare. For it to be an issue for your neighbors, the glare would have to be visible, right?

For your neighbors to see any light reflecting from your rooftop array, they would have to be looking down on the tops of your solar panels. For this to happen, their homes would need to be at least one story above your rooftop.

But that isn’t all. Glare only appears when the sun is at the right height and your neighbor would have to be within the angle of reflection from the solar panels. With a solar panel array, glare is more likely to be above your neighbor’s sightline, even those homes that might be taller than yours.

Preventing Solar Panel Glare

Since light reflection can be a nuisance, some homeowners’ associations require proof that rooftop solar arrays will not cause glare.

Proper siting, angling, and orientation can prevent any glare from rooftop solar arrays.

Further, it is important that you have high-quality photovoltaic panels installed. Monocrystalline silicon cells are the best option to reduce reflection and glare.

You may also want to consider having black frames installed around your solar panel cells. These frames will help absorb any photons that manage to escape from your cells, preventing them from hitting a reflective surface and causing glare.

Finally, you can have your solar panels installed on adjustable mounts that allow you to angle them away from areas where people gather like the patio or sidewalk. By angling them away from these areas, you can minimize the amount of reflected light coming from them.

Orlando Solar Installations

Though not common, in some cases solar panel glare can become a nuisance. By choosing high-quality solar panels and adjustable mounts, you can minimize any reflection and ensure that your solar panels aren’t causing issues for your neighbors.

If you are planning on installing solar at your Orlando home and have questions about solar panel glare, give our friendly team at Solar Bear Orlando a call at (727) 471-7442!