Are You Considering Solar For Your Home?

Getting Started

A solar system for your home is a significant investment, so take your time to research all the options to make an informed decision.  Get started by reviewing this list of things to consider: 

• Examine your electricity bill. Determine how much energy you use annually. You should know the annual cost of your electric bills, and the cost per kilowatt hour. If you need help, you can reach out to your electricity provider. Understand My Bill
• Be efficient. How energy efficient is your home or building? Installing solar on a drafty or poorly-insulated house would be a bad investment. You may want to start by getting an energy audit to learn how energy efficient your home is and your options for improvement.  FPL offers free Home Energy Surveys
• Understand your property conditions. Know the orientation, age and condition of your roof, and the nearby landscape. Is your roof shaded by buildings or trees? Does your roof need replacement in the near future?  Project Sunroof
• Find a solar installer. Speak to solar installers so they can help you navigate the feasibility of solar on your site and assess whether, and how quickly, the energy savings from solar panels will “repay” the initial cost of the panels. Compare several offers and reviews. Please note that the City of Sunrise does not endorse any one installer. 
• Start small. Don’t forget to consider solar thermal water heating systems. Dollar for dollar, these are often the most cost-effective solar energy projects. Solar hot water systems come in all shapes, sizes, and configurations. Solar Hot Water Options and Calculator
• Shop around for financing options. Check with your financial institution, the solar contractor, and for other traditional financing choices. PACE financing is available to property owners in Broward and may be an option to consider.
• Check for incentives. State and federal rebates, incentives, or tax credits for solar equipment or energy efficiency improvements may also be available. Search the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (Florida and national programs are pre-selected), and check for Federal Tax Incentives that may be available.
• Consider all your options. There are carbon offset programs you can look into if solar panels are not an option for you. Also, FPL SolarTogether® is a subscription program offered by the utility to directly support the expansion of solar in Florida.  

Broward Solar Co-op 2024 has ended!

Florida Solar Laws 

Florida law forbids any entity- including homeowner associations- from prohibiting the installation of solar or other renewable energy devices on Florida buildings. An association may require approval of a system installation, and may establish restrictions for installations. However, any such restrictions must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and applied in a uniform manner for all association members. Also, any restrictions must not have the effect of impairing the performance or increasing the cost of a solar system.

In particular, a homeowner association may not prevent the installation of solar collectors on the roof of a home. The association may determine where on the roof the collectors may be installed, so long as the collectors face within 45 degrees of due south. Finally, any requirement(s) that a system be screened from view by trees, fences, ground mounting racks, or a remote roof location that is hidden from the street, will generally violate the statute: Title XI 163.04

•  Florida Homeowners Solar Rights Act
•  Solar in Florida Fact Sheet from Southern Energies Industry Association

What is Net Metering?

In Florida, net metering rules were adopted in 2008. Net metering allows utility customers who connect approved, renewable generation systems – such as solar photovoltaic system – to the electric grid to sell electricity back to the utility company up to 2MW. When customers generate electricity from their solar array for their home or business it may reduce the amount of energy they need to purchase from the utility and may lower their monthly electricity bills. If their system produces more energy than they need, the excess power is sold back to the grid. That amount of energy is deducted from their monthly bill or credited toward a future bill in the same calendar year.

To be eligible, a home or business owner needs to apply with the utility company and have their electric meter replaced with one that measures excess power supplied to the grid. Title XXVII 366.91

Consumer Protections

Renewable energy systems are new to many of our City’s residents. Please click on link below which can help you make informed solar purchasing decision.

• Clean Energy Consumer Bill of Rights [PDF] 
• Residential Consumers Guide to Solar Power [PDF]