Solar Panel Installation Cost in Tampa [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $15,333 - $31,262

Installing solar panels in Tampa averages $23,128, though it ranges between $15,333 and $31,262 based on system size, panel type, wattage, and more. A solar panel installer can assess your roof and install your system.

How we get this data
A house roof with solar panels
Westend61 / Getty Images
A house roof with solar panels
Westend61 / Getty Images
Cost Insights
  • Monocrystalline and thin-film solar panels perform well in Tampa, but they’re in opposite price ranges. 

  • Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient option in Tampa’s sunny climate, but they’re also the most expensive. 

  • Home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar panel system. 

  • Florida offers property and sales tax exemptions so you can save when going solar.

Tampa is known for its great weather, and rightfully so, with about 245 sunny or partly sunny days each year. Solar panel installation costs in Tampa are about 16% lower than the national average and range between $15,333 and $31,262—with most homeowners paying an average of $23,128. Shine a light on how much your solar project will cost based on the system size, panel type, labor, and more.

Solar Panel Installation Cost Factors 

The best way to estimate your solar panel installation costs in Tampa, Florida, is to look at these main cost factors.

Solar System Size 

The size of the solar system will impact your solar panel installation costs. The larger the output, the more you’ll pay. Most homes need 6- to 10-kW (kilowatt) systems, which work out to anywhere from 15 to 34 panels, depending on the wattage. 

The table below shows average costs based on the size of your solar system:

Solar System Size (kW)Average Cost
5$10,500–$14,675
6$12,575–$17,625
7$14,675–$20,550
8$14,750–$23,500
9$18,875–$26,425
10$20,975–$29,375
11$23,075–$32,300
12$25,175–$35,250

Type of Panel

3 common solar panel systems compared visually, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film

When choosing the type of solar panel that works best for your home, consider three main factors: efficiency, life expectancy, and design. Here’s how the type of solar panel can affect your cost:

Type of Solar PanelAverage Cost per WattLifespan (Years)ProsCons
Monocrystalline$1–$1.5040Performs well in high temperaturesHigh cost
Polycrystalline$0.90–$125–30Mid-range pricingNot as efficient in high temperatures
Thin film$0.70–$110–20Performs well in high temperaturesShort lifespan, takes up more space

Number of Panels Needed 

On average, most homes need anywhere from 20 to 25 panels to fully power a home, but this can range from as few as 15 to as many as 34. How many solar panels you need depends on the number of watts per panel, your energy consumption, and the efficiency of your panels. Your average solar panel will have an output of anywhere from 250 to 400 watts. The dimensions of your solar panels will also depend on the power output.

Solar System Hardware 

The following is the hardware you need for your solar system, depending on the design. The more advanced the technology, the higher the up-front cost. The type of mount will affect the cost as well: 

  • Fixed mounts: $10–$15 per mount 

  • Adjustable mounts: $50 per mount

  • Tracking: $500–$3,000 or more per mount (these mounts can self-track sunlight, leading to up to 45% more energy production)

Other materials you will need for a solar energy system include the parts in the table below.

HardwareAverage Cost
String inverter$1,000–$3,000 each
Microinverters$150–$300 each
Power optimizer$80–$150 each
Solar battery$400–$15,000
  • Inverter and microinverters: Convert direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity

  • Optimizer: Regulates currents so each panel is more energy efficient and prevents power loss. 

  • Battery: Stores excess energy from the system so homeowners can use it at night or during a power outage 

Some systems use a single solar inverter or several microinverters that convert DC to AC electricity. Materials like the wiring and battery are often grouped with the package price unless you opt for add-on services.

Solar Panel Installation Pro Costs

Hiring an experienced pro to install your solar panels is key to making the most of this exciting new home addition. Budget $0.50 per watt for labor when you hire a solar panel installer in Tampa, Florida. This number doesn’t include permits or the cost of additional technology, such as special mounts, tiles, or shingles. 

Electrical Labor Costs 

Solar panel installation does require electrical work. Though many solar panel installation companies have a licensed electrician on staff who specializes in solar panels, roofing contractors sometimes subcontract an electrician. The average cost of hiring an electrician is $60 to $120 per hour.

Permits and Inspections

To install solar panels in Tampa, you need an electrical trade permit, which costs $120. Your solar contractor will apply for and secure the permit. Once the installation is complete, the contractor contacts the city to schedule an inspection.

Does Solar Panel Installation Increase Home Value?

In recent years, the number of residential solar panel installations in Florida has increased, so homebuyers often consider solar energy a want or need—which is understandable when Tampa’s hot, humid weather makes it necessary to run air-conditioning.

Solar panel installation increases home value by 4.1% if you own the system, according to estimates from Zillow. Anyone who is leasing their panels or has a Power Purchase Agreement won’t see an increase in value. However, homebuyers might be deterred by older solar panel systems reaching their 25- to 30-year lifespan that might need to be replaced soon. 

The payback period for solar panels in Tampa is about six years, meaning that it takes six years to recoup the investment in a solar panel system. While deciding if going solar is right for you, it’s worth noting that the return on investment (ROI) for solar panels is 35%.

Pro Tip

Once your solar panels are paid off, they're officially your property. If you move, you can reinstall them on a new rooftop. Alternatively, they can increase the value of your home by 3% to 4% and attract more buyers. They can also give your property a competitive edge in a buyers’ market.

CEO and Founder of Integrity Energy

 — Cleveland, OH

Government Credits and Tax Incentives

The best way to save money on the up-front costs of installing solar panels is to take advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before it ends on December 31, 2025. The ITC allows homeowners to claim a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the price of their solar panel system installation. 

For example, if your solar panel system costs $30,000 before the federal tax credit, you can save around $9,000. However, to benefit from this credit, your solar system has to be installed and working before the federal incentive ends. 

The ITC, also known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, was originally extended through 2032 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, new federal legislation (the Big Beautiful Bill Act) signed into law on July 4, 2025, terminated the credit early. The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) outlines the high-level policy changes and restrictions on energy tax credits. 

Additionally, the extra power you choose not to store in a battery can be sent back to the grid. Your local utility company will compensate you for that power, but the amount will vary. You can check the Utility Rate Database on Open EI to estimate how much you can expect to receive for generating excess energy.

State or Local Solar Incentives

Florida offers a property tax exemption and a state sales tax exemption for installing solar panels. This means that you won’t see an increase in your property taxes even though your solar panels increase your home’s value. You also won’t have to pay the 6% state sales tax on qualifying solar panel equipment and components. 

You can also enroll in the net metering, which allows you to receive credit for the electricity you generate but don’t use. Check with your utility provider to see if you qualify and get the details on what they offer. 

If you rent or live in an apartment, you can still tap into solar energy via the Sun Select shared solar program in Tampa. Another option in Tampa is the Switch Together program, which offers a co-op model for purchasing solar energy. Currently, the funds for programs to serve low-income families in Florida have been revoked.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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