Shopping for solar can feel confusing and overwhelming. Here are five steps to go solar with confidence:

Step 1: Decide if solar works for you

Rooftop solar panel systems have plenty of benefits, but not every property is suitable for solar. 的 following describes the ideal candidate for solar:

• 你拥有你的财产
• You roof or property has enough space and sunlight
• You’re eligible for tax incentives
• Your installation will give you a favorable return on investment

使用这个 太阳能电池板计算器 to quickly estimate your solar potential.

Step 2: Receive and compare quotes from local installers

Once you’re confident that going solar is worth considering, it’s time to connect with local installers to find a solar panel system installation that fits your needs and budget. 的 EnergySage市场 is a free online service that helps you gather and compare solar quotes directly from vetted installers in your area with the support of a vendor-neutral expert advisor.

步骤3:选择安装程序

在比较价格之后, the quality of solar equipment, 融资选择, and the reputation of your potential installers, you should pick the installer that you have the most confidence in to perform an efficient and cost-effective installation with long-lasting equipment.

Step 4: Pay for your solar installation

太阳能 panel systems can typically save West Central Florida area homeowners about $35,000-$45,超过25年, but the upfront costs are still considerable. Most people pay for their solar installations with a loan, 租赁, or with cash upfront. 了解更多关于 如何支付太阳能费用.

步骤5:安装系统

After your installer inspects and approves your space for solar, the installer must submit a solar interconnection application (and a battery interconnection application – if applicable), 给十大网赌靠谱网址平台. Upon receiving receipt of the application, 坦帕电 will perform an inspection of the system, including the disconnect switch. P租赁 be aware that this can take up to 30 calendar days. Once inspections are complete, you're ready to generate power with your new solar system.

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的 total price you pay f或者一个 solar panel system depends on the system size, 太阳能电池板品牌, and the features of your roof or land. On average, solar panels in West Central Florida cost $2.62 / W resulting in an average price of $35,277 f或者一个 typical 13.8千瓦太阳能电池板系统.

Federal, state, and local incentives can cut these costs by thousands of dollars. 例如， 联邦太阳能税收抵免 alone can lower the cost of solar by 30 percent. 太阳能 owners in the West Central Florida area who pay for their system up front will typically recover their solar investment in about 8.5年. For those who finance their systems, the timing of the savings will depend on the terms of your loan. Between our state’s climate and available incentives, solar panels typically save West Central Florida area residents about $35,000-$45,超过25年.

的re are three main methods to pay for solar installations: with cash upfront or via a 太阳能贷款 或者一个 租赁. Paying with cash generates the most savings over time but requires a significant upfront investment. 太阳能 loans allow you to pay for your installation in monthly installments while maintaining ownership of your system. Leasing your solar panels is an affordable way to go solar but may disqualify you from financial incentives and limit your potential savings. 

了解更多关于 the cost of solar in Florida.

To get the most out of your system, you’ll need to choose the right equipment. 面板类型, 功率输出, 效率, 温度系数, 寿命, and 保修 all contribute to a solar panel’s ability to meet your unique energy needs.

功率输出 & 效率

太阳能电池板 功率输出 refers to the amount of electricity it generates, and its 效率 measures how well it converts sunlight into electricity and is measured as a percentage. 例如, most solar panels convert between 17 percent and 20 percent of the sunlight exposed to their cells into electricity. However, high-效率 solar panels can exceed 22 percent 效率. 如果你的空间有限 for your solar panel system, choosing a more efficient solar panel may be worth the investment as fewer panels are needed to meet your demands.

温度系数

太阳能电池板 wattage and output are measured under ideal conditions, meaning you should expect less when the weather takes a turn. 你的板 温度系数 indicates how much the performance of your solar panel may change under less-than-ideal conditions. 例如, a 温度系数 of 0.5表示每1⁰C 25以上⁰C, the solar panels decrease in 效率 by 0.5%. This means that solar panels with a low 温度系数 (typically around 0.在……方面表现更好 炎热的气候. Due to Florida’s consistently high temperatures, choosing a solar panel with a low 温度系数 is beneficial to maximize your system's electricity production.

寿命 & 保修

A home solar panel system is a substantial investment that should last you decades, so it’s important to choose a solar panel brand with reliable product and performance 保证 to confidently protect your purchase. 产品保修 usually cover manufacturing defects like premature wear and tear, whereas performance 保证 guarantee that your panels will maintain a certain amount of output throughout their lifetime. To get the most out of your solar investment, we recommend reviewing EnergySage’s article on solar panel 保证.

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On average, Floridians need 27 to 34 solar panels to cover most of their electricity usage. In addition to your budget and goals, the number of solar panels you’ll need depends on your annual electricity consumption, the wattage of your solar panels, and the estimated production ratio of your solar panel system.

年用电量

平均到2022年, 坦帕电 customers with single-family homes used 16,752 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually. When you’re determining how many solar panels to install, consider both your current and future energy needs. Especially during Florida’s long, 炎热的夏季, 比如游泳池, 交流系统, and other appliances can significantly increase the energy usage of your solar panel system.

太阳能电池板瓦数

Most residential solar panels have ratings of 250 to 400 watts. 的 most efficient solar panels on the market are 370- to 400-watt models. 的 higher the wattage rating, the higher the output. 如果你的空间有限, you many want to consider higher wattage panels so you can produce the amount of energy needed with fewer panels.

了解更多关于 how many solar panels you’ll need.

How long do solar panels last?

的 寿命 of a solar panel is measured by its usefulness rather than its ability to turn on. 太阳能 panels typically have a useful life of about 25-30 years. 的 功率输出 of a solar panel is highest at the beginning of its life and slowly degrades over time. 最终, energy production falls by what manufacturers consider a significant amount, and the solar panel’s lifetime is deemed complete. 

的 rate at which a solar panel’s output declines is called the solar panel degradation rate. 例如, a solar panel with a 0.5% degradation rate will still operate at 87.5% of its original output after 25年. Thanks to improvements in solar panel technology, a solar degradation rate below 1 percent is now the industry standard and most solar manufacturers guarantee a certain amount of output each year through performance 保证. 

Performance and product 保证

太阳能 panels come with multiple 保证 that can provide peace of mind when investing in a solar system. 

产品保修 are offered by manufacturers and protect against manufacturing defects. 重要的是, damage or defects caused by factors outside of the manufacturer’s control, 比如自然灾害, aren’t usually covered under product 保证. 

性能保证, also known as power 保证, can help you understand how long your solar panels may last. 性能保证 typically last 25年 and guarantee that your panels will produce a certain percentage of their original output each year. 

了解更多关于 太阳能电池板寿命.