FPL Net Metering: How Florida Power & Light Solar Credits Work
FPL's net metering pays solar homeowners full retail rate for excess power. Here's how the billing works, what you'll save, and how to interconnect your panels with Florida Power & Light.
If you're a Florida Power & Light customer considering solar, here's the key fact: FPL offers full retail-rate net metering, meaning every excess kWh your panels produce earns you a credit at the exact same rate you pay for grid power. That's the gold standard — and it's one of the biggest reasons solar works so well in FPL territory.
FPL credits excess solar generation at the full retail rate (currently ~$0.10–$0.12/kWh for residential). Your bi-directional meter tracks power both ways, and credits offset nighttime usage 1:1. Interconnection approval typically takes 2–4 weeks after inspection. Size your system to offset your annual usage — not to generate a large surplus, since unused credits reconcile annually at a lower rate.
How FPL Net Metering Works
When you go solar with FPL, the utility replaces your standard meter with a bi-directional meter that tracks energy flowing in both directions:
During sunny midday hours, your solar array typically generates more power than your house consumes. The excess flows out through your meter to the FPL grid.
Each excess kWh earns a credit at the full retail rate — the same price you'd pay to buy that kWh back. These credits accumulate in your account.
When panels stop producing, your home draws power from FPL as usual. Instead of paying cash, you spend down the credits banked during the day.
If you produced more than you consumed in a billing cycle, the net credits carry forward. If you used more than you produced, you pay for the net difference — plus the standard customer charge.
FPL charges a fixed monthly customer charge (~$25) regardless of solar production. Even if your panels produce 100% of your energy, you'll still pay this base fee. Budget for it when calculating your solar savings.
The FPL Interconnection Process
Getting Permission to Operate (PTO) from FPL follows a specific sequence. Your installer handles most of this, but you should understand the timeline:
- Your installer submits an interconnection application to FPL, including system specifications, inverter details, and electrical diagrams.
- Local inspection passes. Your city or county building inspector must approve the installation first.
- FPL reviews the application. This takes 2–4 weeks for standard residential systems. FPL verifies the system meets their technical requirements.
- Meter swap. FPL replaces your meter with a bi-directional one (or reprograms your existing smart meter).
- Permission to Operate issued. You receive written PTO — only then can you legally turn your system on.
Operating your solar system before FPL issues Permission to Operate violates interconnection rules and can create liability. Your installer should keep the system off until PTO is confirmed.
How Much Can You Save with FPL Net Metering?
A typical FPL residential customer uses about 13,000–15,000 kWh per year (Florida's heavy air conditioning load drives higher usage than the national average). At FPL's standard residential rate of roughly $0.10–$0.12/kWh, that's $1,300–$1,800/year in electricity costs.
A properly sized 9–10 kW solar system in FPL territory can offset 90–100% of that usage, generating roughly 14,000–16,000 kWh/year. The payback period in FPL territory is typically 6–9 years.
FPL's service territory covers much of South and Central Florida, which receives 1,500–1,800 kWh per kW of solar capacity annually — among the best in the US. A 10 kW system in Miami or Fort Lauderdale produces more power than the same system in Boston or Seattle.
FPL Net Metering vs. Other Florida Utilities
FPL is the largest utility in Florida, but it's not the only one. Here's how the major investor-owned utilities compare:
| Utility | Territory | Net Metering | Export Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPL | South/Central FL | Full retail | ~$0.10–$0.12/kWh |
| Duke Energy Florida | West/Central FL | Full retail | ~$0.11–$0.13/kWh |
| TECO | Tampa Bay | Full retail | ~$0.10–$0.12/kWh |
| FPUC | North FL / Panhandle | Full retail | Varies |
All three major utilities offer full retail-rate net metering as of 2026 — which is why Florida is one of the strongest solar markets in the country.
What Could Change
Florida's net metering rules have been the subject of legislative debate. A 2022 law (HB 741) originally proposed phasing down retail-rate credits, but the PSC's implementation kept full retail net metering in place. Future regulatory changes could alter the credit rate — another reason to go solar sooner rather than later, as existing systems are typically grandfathered at their interconnection rate for a set period.
Ready to go solar in FPL territory? Browse vetted Florida solar installers experienced with FPL interconnection, or calculate your solar savings with our estimator tool.
- FPL Solar Information — net metering program details and interconnection process
- Florida PSC — net metering rules and utility regulation
- DSIRE — Florida net metering policy database
- SEIA — Florida state solar policy tracker
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FPL offer net metering for solar?
Yes. Florida Power & Light offers net metering at the full retail rate for residential solar customers. Your bi-directional meter tracks power flowing both directions, and you earn credits for excess electricity your panels export to the grid.
What rate does FPL pay for excess solar power?
FPL credits excess solar generation at the full retail electricity rate — the same rate you pay for power you draw from the grid. This is the most favorable net metering structure available, making solar economics particularly strong in FPL territory.
How long does FPL interconnection approval take?
FPL typically processes residential solar interconnection applications in 2–4 weeks after your installer submits the paperwork and passes inspection. Once approved, FPL swaps your meter for a bi-directional one and issues Permission to Operate (PTO).
Will FPL change my rate plan when I go solar?
FPL may move you to a different rate schedule after interconnection. Solar customers should review whether time-of-use or standard residential rates benefit them most. Your installer can help model both scenarios during the design phase.
What happens to my FPL solar credits at the end of the year?
FPL reconciles net metering credits annually. Any unused credits remaining at the annual reconciliation date are typically paid out or forfeited at the avoided-cost rate, which is lower than retail. Most homeowners size their system to avoid large credit balances.