FPL Solar and Net Metering in 2026
How FPL credits your solar in 2026, what stays on your bill, and how to size a system FPL will approve.
On this page
FPL has some of the best solar crediting in Florida. Every kWh your panels send to the grid offsets a kWh you buy later, at the full retail rate. Here is exactly how it works on your bill in 2026.
Quick answer: FPL nets your solar kWh for kWh each month. Extra kWh roll forward as a reserve. Whatever is left in December is paid as a bill credit at a much lower wholesale rate, so we size your system to your yearly use, not beyond it. You still pay FPL’s $30 minimum base bill.
How FPL credits your solar
Your system powers your home first. When it makes more than you are using, the extra flows out through a two-way meter that FPL installs at no charge.
- Solar you use right away never touches the meter. It simply lowers what you buy.
- Solar you export is subtracted from the kWh you import that month, at full value. That offsets the energy, fuel, conservation, capacity and storm charges on each kWh.
- Extra kWh carry forward to next month as a kWh reserve shown on your bill.
What happens in December
If you still have kWh in your reserve at the December meter read, FPL turns them into a dollar credit on your December bill. The rate is FPL’s average as-available (wholesale) energy rate for the year. It changes with natural gas prices and is far below the retail price, usually a few cents per kWh.
That is why a system built to cover about 100% of your yearly use is the sweet spot. Panels that only add to a December surplus earn little.
What you still pay
Solar shrinks your bill but does not erase it. In 2026 every FPL home pays:
- A $30 minimum base bill. It covers the $10.52 monthly base charge plus base energy. If your net usage is low, FPL tops the bill up to $30.
- Taxes and fees on what you are billed.
- Any kWh you use beyond what your panels make over the year.
So a home that nets to zero still sees a bill of about $30 plus taxes each month. FPL raised the minimum from $25 to $30 in January 2026 as part of its approved rate settlement.
The 115% sizing rule
FPL approves net metering only when your system’s estimated yearly production is under 115% of your past 12 months of use. We design from your actual usage history, plus any changes you tell us about, such as an EV or a pool.
Interconnection: the steps
- We design the system and submit FPL’s net metering application.
- FPL approves the application before installation.
- We install, and your city or county inspects.
- FPL installs the two-way meter and gives permission to operate.
Do not turn the system on before FPL gives permission to operate.
| Tier | System size (AC) | FPL fee | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 10 kW or less (about 11.76 kW DC) | None | None required |
| Tier 2 | Over 10 kW to 100 kW | $400 | $1M liability |
| Tier 3 | Over 100 kW to 2 MW | $1,000 plus a $2,000 study deposit | $2M liability |
Most homes are Tier 1. Utilities size tiers in AC, and we design in DC, so the 10 kW AC limit works out to about 11.76 kW of DC panels. Tier 2 and 3 also need a lockable disconnect next to the meter.
Batteries with FPL
FPL lets you pair a battery with solar, but the battery cannot send power to the grid. Because FPL already credits exports at full retail, a battery here is mainly for backup during outages, not for savings. See our Florida solar battery guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does FPL give one-for-one net metering?
Yes, each month. Exported kWh offset imported kWh at full value. Only the kWh left over in December are paid at the lower wholesale rate.
Will my FPL bill be zero?
No. Every FPL customer pays the $30 minimum base bill, plus taxes.
Can I install more solar than I use?
Not for net metering. FPL requires estimated production under 115% of your yearly use.
Does my FPL bill show everything my panels make?
No. Solar your home uses right away never reaches the meter. Your system’s app shows total production.
Does this apply in Northwest Florida (former Gulf Power)?
Yes. FPL Northwest Florida customers use the same net metering terms and the same $30 minimum.
Is Sunstorm Energy part of FPL?
No. Sunstorm Energy is an independent Orlando company and is not affiliated with FPL.
Sources
Important information
Utility rules and rates change. We checked the facts on this page on October 8, 2026, and we confirm your utility’s current rules before we design your system. Savings and backup time depend on your home and usage and are not guaranteed.