The Sunshine State powers up with solar energy

The state of solar in Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL, took 19th place in the Shining Cities 2020 report of the top solar cities in the U.S. in terms of solar PV installations per person. The city ranks even better in terms of total solar installations, coming in at 13th place in the U.S.

While Jacksonville is lagging in terms of policies, laws, and local incentives for solar investment, it remains one of the best locations for solar power generation due to significant investments in solar utility systems and the rising energy needs in the state.

How much solar energy does Jacksonville produce?

The City of Jacksonville is leading many solar initiatives through the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA), Northeast Florida's not-for-profit, community-owned utility. JEA purchases solar energy from several sites, including the 100-acre, 15 MW Jacksonville Solar Array. The company recently contracted with eight new solar installations, increasing its installed solar capacity by 350 percent.^*JEA Environment, Solar Energy

Jacksonville as a whole generates 70.4 W of solar power per capita, with a total of 63.6 MW of installed solar capacity. The solar boom in Jacksonville—and Florida in general—started in 2016 when more than 400 MW of solar installations went online. By the end of 2019, Florida had a solar capacity of 3,414.02 MW, which is enough to power 411,269 homes.

An additional 8,391 MW should go online within the next five years, tripling Jacksonville's current solar capacity.

What are the advantages of going solar in Jacksonville?

Most businesses implement green incentives and practices to promote sustainability, but you can go green at home, too—solar systems are powering homes across Jacksonville. One of the many advantages of utilizing solar energy is that it can reduce your electricity costs and increase your home's value.^*Zillow, Homes with Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More, a comparison of home values with and without solar, in New York, NY, Orlando, FL, San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA and Riverside, CA. April 2019.

JEA also offers numerous solar initiatives for residential customers and local businesses, including:^*JEA Environment, Solar Energy

• JEA SolarSmart

• JEA SolarMax

• Private Solar

• Distributed Generation

• Battery Incentive Program

Private Solar and Distributed Generation are forms of net metering that allow families and businesses to transfer and sell any excess energy their systems produce to the city's utility grid.^*Net metering utility credits and incentives vary by location and are subject to change. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine incentives available in your area. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

Other advantages of solar energy usage include:

• The reduction of your carbon footprint thus helping to make the environment safer for generations to come.

• Economic job growth for your state since the solar industry presently employs 12,202 people in Florida and is predicted to continue expanding.^*SEIA, Florida Solar, Q4 2020

How much does solar energy cost in Jacksonville?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Quality of the solar system's panels and parts

• Current and future energy needs

• Angle of the roof

• Type of roof

• Shaded roof space

• Local weather

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources,^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 for thousands of homeowners across the country.

In Jacksonville, we found that the cost of a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,650 to $16,200, or in other words, from $2.53 to $3.24 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

There has never been a better time to get a solar system in Jacksonville. The price of solar energy has dropped 45% over the last five years, making current prices more cost effective.^*SEIA, Florida Solar, Q4 2020 The options of leasing, financing, or purchasing your solar panels allows you to choose how to best put your finances towards your investment.

What is the best way to go solar in Jacksonville?

Switching to solar requires extensive expertise and a thorough understanding of your energy needs. Every solar PV system is unique in terms of quality, durability, and power output. Choosing a reputable solar provider is essential to ensure that you get the most out of your green energy solution.

When going solar, you'll need to consider your building's daily energy requirements, available roof space, and your budget. You should also consider your home's aesthetics and net metering objectives. Reputable solar providers will explore these details with you and design a system that meets your goals during a consultation prior to writing up your contract.

At SunPower, we can help you navigate the process of going solar, as we've done for home and business owners for the past 35 years. We're happy to meet with you online or in-person to answer your energy questions and design a custom solar system for you.

To get started making the switch to clean solar energy in Jacksonville today, schedule a free online consultation with one of our solar experts.