Best 5 Solar Companies in St. Cloud, FL

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in St. Cloud

The more informed your company research is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately function. Here are some key items to remember while searching for a solar installer.

Licensing and Training

Once an electrical professional in Florida has four years of field experience, including one year as an apprentice, they can take two tests to earn a CV license with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. Florida also allows electrical contractors to install solar panels, but they may need to subcontract some tasks to a licensed roofer. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in St. Cloud

Your solar panels' model will impact how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

If you want to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and convenient to use. Not all solar contractors offer these additional features, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's crucial for you.

You can expect to pay about $16,050 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in St. Cloud. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much St. Cloud solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in St. Cloud

There are numerous ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include leases, loans, cash payments, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). We recommend making a cash payment or using a solar loan for the highest return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to minimize your total costs. Solar loans are another good option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, like an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and cannot use solar incentives. We suggest working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each agent about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in St. Cloud.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on the full cost of the solar system, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own rebates, incentives, and financing programs that could save you more money.