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Home of beautiful beaches and ample sunshine, Florida is an optimal location to switch to solar.

But which city is ranked the highest for solar output? Our team at Solar Bear Orlando is here to find out!

We’ve ranked the top cities in 2022 based on their solar energy potential and how much money their residents can save by going green. Ready? Let’s go!

Go Solar in These Florida Cities

Thinking of going solar in Florida? These are the cities with the highest solar energy potential.

Tampa, FL

The city of Tampa’s solar radiation is 3.2 kWh per square meter per day, higher than even Miami! It also has ample rooftops that are suitable for mourning solar panels. In Tampa, almost 80% of homes have flat roofs, making them optimal for solar installations.

Tampa residents are also eligible for several state and local incentives that help offset the cost of the installation.

Orlando, FL

The metropolis of Orlando has the second-highest population growth of any city in the state of Florida, and it is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. If you are looking to go solar in Florida, Orlando is a great place to live!

The city has an average of 4.6 kWh per square meter per day, making it the perfect place for a solar installation in Florida. The average home with solar panels in Orlando can be powered entirely by solar power on sunny days.

Miami, FL

Miami is a city full of sunshine, which means solar installations generate ample power during the day.

With over 400,000 residents and many well-established neighborhoods, there are plenty of places to install solar in Miami.

Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee’s average irradiance is about 5.8 kWh per square meter per day, making it an ideal place for solar installations.

Tallahassee also has amazing solar rebates. You could get up to $5,000 back on a new solar installation!

Gainesville, FL

Gainesville has been nicknamed “the solar capital of Florida,” and for good reason! This college city has been ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States and a great place to go green.

Although there aren’t any state tax credits or rebates available for residential solar installations, there are plenty of ways to make solar energy in Gainesville more affordable, such as fixed-rate plans with $0 down and no financing fees.

Fort Myers, FL

Fort Myers gets about 4.5 hours of sun per day on average, meaning that you can generate a lot of solar power during the day!

Fort Myers doesn’t have a state sales tax, so if you are looking to save on solar and reduce your carbon footprint, Fort Myers is a great place to do it!

Sarasota, FL

More than 750,000 people live in the Sarasota-Bradenton metro area, and its renewable energy market is growing at a fast rate.

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville ranks number 19 in the nation for top solar cities. The abundance of sunshine and local incentives makes choosing solar even more attractive. Solar panels are exempt from sales tax in Jacksonville, so you will save 6% right off the bat.

Clearwater, FL

An old city known for its culture and beautiful beaches; Clearwater offers a lot of tax credits for those switching to solar.

The average cost of installing solar panels in Clearwater is $3 per watt, meaning that it is easy to get started with green energy!

Learn More: 7 Common Solar Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Join the Solar Energy Movement

If you are interested in installing solar panels on your property in Central Florida and the Greater Orlando Area, call our team at Solar Bear Orlando! We will design a solar array that can optimally harness the energy from the sun and ultimately reduce your carbon footprint.

Call Solar Bear Orlando today for a quote at (727) 471-7442!

If you purchased a toaster oven that can also be used as an air fryer, you already know how to maximize double-duty technology. So why not take advantage of the double duty that solar energy can offer? Solar Bear of Tampa shares why you should consider installing double-duty solar for your business and what it entails.

When most people imagine solar energy, they tend to think of the infamous rooftop panels. These are indeed the most popular type of solar installation. However, this method may not always be feasible for businesses due to their small footprint or because of strict lease agreements. Double-duty installations are rapidly growing because of their versatility and adaptability to tighter spaces.

After an initial energy evaluation to determine weak rooftop sun exposure levels and any obstructions, a solar company may recommend this installation method. These setups are structural ground mounting systems that offer a secondary function, such as a carport or pergola, that can provide shade or shelter from weather elements while producing solar energy.

You may decide to utilize a current structure and retrofit a solar installation on top for a more cost-effective solution. Clients may choose this type of installation for a more seamless architectural integration. However, for some clients, building a brand-new structure can accommodate the addition of solar panels more effectively. By customizing the design, you ensure that it is sized appropriately to fit the desired number of panels and that it is in an ideal location. Whichever option you choose, confirm with a solar installation company that the structure is stable and sturdy enough to withhold the system’s weight.

Florida currently offers several financial incentives that can significantly offset double-duty installation costs. Through exemptions like the Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption and net metering programs, business owners can optimize their investments.

Need more information on double-duty solar installations? Speak with our qualified and experienced team today at (727) 471-7442 or schedule your free estimate here.

Think you are too fast, too furious for solar? You might think differently when it comes to solar carports. Solar Bear of Tampa explains more about this custom-built installation and how it can work in your home.

Also known as a solar canopy, the solar carport is unlike other solar entities. The structure not only provides shade for vehicles but will also generate electricity like traditional rooftop solar installations. However, solar panel carports are unique because they do not require a surface or a roof but rather resemble a ground-mounted solar installation. This installation style allows homeowners to structure their solar carport for optimum production. All solar carports are designed for the PV panels to be high enough off the ground to create enough clearance for parked vehicles. This design also allows for an in-built electric vehicle charging station so customers can top off batteries when cars are not in use. Most solar carports in residential areas are built for a single parking spot though in commercial areas, it’s common to see them strung together in a series to cover an entire parking lot.

With solar carports, the benefits are endless. This installation style allows customers to optimize their valuable real estate while transforming a seemingly unproductive parking spot into an energy-generating machine. Not only is it a more efficient use of space but it also protects Florida’s wide range of elements. Layer all of this onto the foundational premise of solar energy installations that allows for a smaller carbon footprint, energy independence, and financial savings and you have the best of both worlds.

If you want to learn more about the most efficient solar panel system for your needs, schedule a free estimate with Solar Bear of Tampa. With the help of our professional team, making these improvements could be easier than you think. Call us at (727) 741-7442 today!

When installing solar panels, you should think about how they will affect your home insurance situation. Because solar energy has a great impact on home living, it only makes sense that home insurance companies will have certain policies regarding that type of home addition. But the question that most people ask is whether or not solar panels increase the cost of home insurance. Your friends at Solar Bear Dallas are here to answer that question!

How Solar Panels Qualify for Home Insurance

First off, you should find out whether your home insurance company has a policy on solar panels or not. Most of them do under certain conditions, one of the major factors being the method of installation. For your home insurance to cover your new solar panels, you may have to install them directly onto your home, most likely onto the roof, rather than on the ground. Because this ground installation of solar panels is less effective and does not directly affect the house itself, ground installation is typically not covered under home insurance. Since every company is different, the best thing you can do is call your insurance agency and ask. Once you find out whether or not your solar panels will qualify for home insurance, it’s all a matter of cost.

How Solar Panels Affect the Cost of Home Insurance

Solar panels add value to your home no matter what. Therefore, you should always notify your home insurance provider when you get them installed, especially if you want them covered in your policy. However, this may mean a slight increase in your rate. Depending on the company, you may have to change your current policy or include an add-on to your existing one. Either way, you will likely see a slight increase, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the extra couple hundred a year especially when you consider the amount of your energy savings.

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

Even though you’ll likely experience a small increase in your yearly home insurance costs, the large sums of cash you will save on energy bills easily counteract that. Many homeowners who have solar panels properly installed have seen savings of $1,500 a year on average, which is more than enough to make up for any updated charges to your home insurance. Aside from that, solar panels come with other added benefits, such as a well-insulated home and a greener environment. And if you go to the right place, you can find very affordable solar panels in the Texas area.

Get Affordable Solar Panel Installation at Solar Bear Dallas!

If you live in Texas, you can find affordable pricing for solar panels and solar panel installation at Solar Bear Dallas! We offer quality products with the most flexible financing options so we can supply a wider array of residents in the Dallas area. We want everyone to have access to solar energy, and we do this by personally evaluating your home to give you the most accurate estimate before laying out all the best financing options that fit your exact needs. Call (727) 471-7442 today to get started!