Is solar worth it in Naples/Fort Myers in 2026?
Naples/Fort Myers is a strong solar market with some important nuances. As Florida's northernmost major city, it gets slightly fewer peak sun hours (5.6/day) than South Florida — but still more than most US cities. LCEC · FPL, the city-owned utility, offers net metering that credits homeowners for excess solar generation. Combined with Florida's intact state incentives, going solar in Naples/Fort Myers remains financially sound in 2026.
The biggest change in 2026 is the expiration of the 30% federal residential tax credit. For Naples/Fort Myers homeowners buying outright, that incentive is gone. But LCEC · FPL's rates have been climbing, making the ongoing bill savings more valuable every year, and the solar payback math still works well for most homes.
The 30% federal residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. Cash and loan purchases no longer qualify. Lease/PPA options may still benefit from a commercial version of the credit through 2027.
LCEC · FPL is a community-owned utility and operates slightly differently than investor-owned utilities like FPL or Duke. LCEC · FPL offers net metering but the credit rate and billing structure can differ. Always confirm current LCEC · FPL interconnection requirements with your installer before signing a contract.
Naples/Fort Myers solar incentives in 2026
Florida Sales Tax Exemption
All solar equipment and installation is exempt from Florida's 6% sales tax — automatically applied by your installer. On a $23,100 Naples/Fort Myers system, that's $1,188 in immediate savings.
Florida Property Tax Exemption
Solar increases your home's value but Florida law ensures that added value is 100% exempt from property tax assessment. In Naples/Fort Myers's growing real estate market, that's meaningful equity with zero tax consequence.
LCEC · FPL Net Metering
LCEC · FPL credits homeowners for excess solar energy sent to the grid. Naples/Fort Myers's lower electricity rate (~$0.148/kWh) compared to South Florida means each kWh is worth slightly less in bill credits — but the lower system cost required for a smaller home partially offsets this. Work with a local installer familiar with LCEC · FPL's interconnection process.
PACE Financing
Property Assessed Clean Energy financing is available in Lee & Collier counties, allowing Naples/Fort Myers homeowners to go solar with zero upfront cost and repay through their property tax bill.
How much does solar cost in Naples/Fort Myers in 2026?
Naples/Fort Myers homes tend to have lower average electric bills than South Florida — around $242/month — meaning most households need a slightly smaller system. At $2.20/watt, a 9kW system runs approximately $23,100 before incentives, dropping to about $21,714 after the FL sales tax exemption.
At roughly $206/month in savings, Naples/Fort Myers homeowners typically see payback in 8–10 years — slightly longer than South Florida markets due to lower sun hours and lower electricity rates, but still a strong 25-year return of $63,000+.
9kW system · $23,100 gross · −$1,188 FL sales tax exemption · = $21,714 net · $206/mo savings · ≈ 10.8-year payback · $63,000+ 25-year savings (3% annual rate increase assumed)
Use our free Naples/Fort Myers solar calculator
Enter your LCEC · FPL bill below for an instant estimate — pre-loaded with Naples/Fort Myers's sun hours, rates, and 2026 incentives.