Tampa Electric Solar and Net Metering Guide
How Tampa Electric credits your solar in 2026, the Energy Planner rule, interconnection fees and what stays on your bill.
On this page
Tampa Electric credits exported solar at its full retail energy rate, under the same state rule as FPL and Duke. There is one Tampa Electric rule to know before you sign: net metering and Energy Planner do not mix.
Quick answer: Tampa Electric credits your exports at the retail energy rate each month and rolls extra credit forward for up to 12 months. Unused credit at year end is paid at a lower wholesale rate. Net metered homes must use the standard residential rate, not Energy Planner. Most homes pay no interconnection fee.
How Tampa Electric credits your solar
- Solar you use right away lowers what you buy.
- Solar you export is credited at the current retail energy rate against what you import.
- Extra credit carries forward to the next bill, for up to 12 months.
- Credit still unused at the end of the calendar year is paid at Tampa Electric’s average as-available (wholesale) rate, which is much lower.
Energy Planner is not available with net metering
If you are on Energy Planner, Tampa Electric’s time-of-use program, you move to the standard residential rate when you net meter. We check your rate before we design, because the switch changes your numbers.
What you still pay
- The daily basic service charge. Exports never offset it.
- Taxes and fees.
- Any energy you use beyond what your panels make over the year.
Tampa Electric has no separate minimum bill, so a home that nets to zero pays only the basic service charge plus taxes.
Interconnection fees and steps
| Tier | System size (AC) | Application fee | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 10 kW or less (about 11.76 kW DC) | None | None required |
| Tier 2 | Over 10 kW to 100 kW | $250 | $1M, renewed yearly |
| Tier 3 | Over 100 kW to 2 MW | $500 | $2M, renewed yearly |
Utilities size tiers in AC, and we design in DC, so the 10 kW AC Tier 1 limit works out to about 11.76 kW of DC panels. For Tier 1, Tampa Electric reimburses the outside disconnect switch, up to $320 for single phase. A failed or missed utility inspection costs $37. After the county inspection passes, Tampa Electric sets a two-way meter if needed and gives permission to operate.
Batteries with Tampa Electric
Batteries use a separate interconnection agreement and cannot export to the grid. Since exports already earn the retail energy rate, a battery here is for backup during storms, not for savings. See our Florida solar battery guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tampa Electric credit solar at full retail?
Yes, at the retail energy rate each month. Only credit left at the end of the year is paid at the lower wholesale rate.
Can I stay on Energy Planner?
No. Net metered homes use the standard residential rate.
Will my bill be zero?
Not quite. You still pay the daily basic service charge and taxes.
Will my panels work when the power is out?
Not by themselves. Grid-tied solar shuts off in an outage. You need a battery system designed for backup.
Is Sunstorm Energy part of Tampa Electric?
No. Sunstorm Energy is an independent Orlando company and is not affiliated with Tampa Electric.
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.