A worked example: 8 kW in Orlando
An 8 kW system — about 19 × 425-watt panels — at Orlando's assumed installed cost of $2.30–$3.00 per watt runs roughly $18,400–$24,000 before incentives. At about 1,470 kWh per installed kW, it would generate around 11,760 kWh per year. Valuing self-consumed electricity at the assumed $0.14/kWh retail rate and exports conservatively, first-year savings land near $1,357 — a simple payback of roughly 14–18 years.
No federal tax credit is included: the Section 25D residential credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Average cost of solar panels in Orlando by system size
At the Orlando market rate of $2.30–$3.00 per watt, using the local production factor rather than the Florida average:
| System size | Panels | Installed cost | Annual production | Est. payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | 15 | $13,800–$18,000 | 8,820 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
| 8 kW | 19 | $18,400–$24,000 | 11,760 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
| 10 kW | 24 | $23,000–$30,000 | 14,700 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
| 12 kW | 29 | $27,600–$36,000 | 17,640 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
Over a 25-year life, solar electricity in Orlando comes to roughly 6.6¢–8.7¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a local retail rate assumed at 14.0¢.
How Orlando differs from the Florida average
Statewide averages blend climates, utilities and installer markets that can differ sharply within a single state — which is why a Orlando estimate is not simply the Florida number.
| Assumption | Orlando | Florida average |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity rate | $0.14/kWh | $0.15/kWh |
| Production (kWh/kW/yr) | 1,470 | 1,480 |
| Installed cost per watt | $2.30–$3.00 | $2.35–$3.10 |
| 8 kW system cost | $18,400–$24,000 | $18,800–$24,800 |
| Estimated payback | 14–18 yrs | 13–17 yrs |
OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission) and solar exports
Orlando proper is served by OUC, a municipal utility that offers net metering with monthly rollover at retail value. Because OUC is municipal, it sits outside the Florida Public Service Commission net metering rules that bind investor-owned utilities — surrounding areas served by Duke Energy Florida follow those state rules instead.
Statewide, florida requires investor-owned utilities to offer retail-rate net metering, one of the better export policies in the Southeast. A 2022 attempt to phase it out was vetoed; monitor for future changes.
Local factors that change a Orlando solar quote
Hurricane wind-load requirements drive Florida racking and permitting standards, and Orange County permitting adds time to a project. Roof age is the practical gatekeeper — installers will often require a reroof first, since removing and reinstalling an array later costs thousands. Florida exempts solar from both sales tax and property tax assessment.
Beyond location, equipment, roof condition, electrical upgrades, permitting, labor, system size, batteries and financing all move the installed price.
Solar incentives available in Orlando
Florida exempts solar from sales tax and from property tax assessment. There is no state solar tax credit or rebate.
There is no federal residential credit for systems installed in 2026, so state, local and utility programs are now the entire incentive picture for a purchased system. See the full Florida solar incentives guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of solar panels in Orlando?
Averaging the Orlando market at $2.30–$3.00 per watt installed, a 6 kW system runs $13,800–$18,000, an 8 kW $18,400–$24,000, and a 10 kW $23,000–$30,000, all before incentives. Over a 25-year life that is roughly 6.6¢–8.7¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a local retail rate assumed at 14.0¢.
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Orlando?
The per-watt figures above are turnkey: panels, inverter, racking, labor, permitting and interconnection. What moves a Orlando quote away from them is local: Hurricane wind-load requirements drive Florida racking and permitting standards, and Orange County permitting adds time to a project. Roof age is the practical gatekeeper — installers will often require a reroof first, since removing and reinstalling an array later costs thousands. Florida exempts solar from both sales tax and property tax assessment. Roof complexity and a main-panel upgrade are the other two big swings, and only a site visit settles either.
How much do solar panels cost in Orlando, FL?
At an assumed installed cost of $2.30–$3.00 per watt for the Orlando market, a typical 8 kW home system runs roughly $18,400–$24,000 before incentives — about 19 panels at 425 watts each. That is 3% below the Florida statewide assumption, reflecting local installer competition.
How much electricity does a solar system produce in Orlando?
We assume about 1,470 kWh per installed kW per year in Orlando — so an 8 kW system generates roughly 11,760 kWh annually. That is 1% below the Florida average, because statewide figures blend climates that can differ sharply within one state.
Is solar worth it in Orlando?
With electricity around $0.14/kWh and 1,470 kWh/kW of annual production, an 8 kW system in Orlando could save roughly $1,357 in year one — a simple payback of about 14–18 years with no federal tax credit. Whether that clears your bar depends on your rate plan, how much of the output you use on site, your roof, and how long you plan to stay.
Who is the electric utility in Orlando and how does it pay for solar exports?
OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission). Orlando proper is served by OUC, a municipal utility that offers net metering with monthly rollover at retail value. Because OUC is municipal, it sits outside the Florida Public Service Commission net metering rules that bind investor-owned utilities — surrounding areas served by Duke Energy Florida follow those state rules instead.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in Orlando?
No — the 30% federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. None of the figures on this page include it. Leased or PPA systems may still benefit indirectly, because the system owner can claim the commercial 48E credit through 2027.
Use this as a starting point
These are broad local assumptions, not a market survey of Orlando installers or a binding quote. Before purchasing, verify applicable incentives, your specific utility tariff, installer licensing, warranties and financing terms.
Where these numbers come from
Local assumptions are informed by public data and reviewed periodically (September 2026):