Solar incentives for Hillsborough County homeowners in 2026

The incentive picture changed at the start of 2026, and there's a lot of stale advice floating around. Here's a straight, current rundown of what actually helps a Riverview or Hillsborough County homeowner today.

Florida's tax exemptions still stand

Florida waives state sales tax on solar equipment, so that roughly 7% never lands on your invoice. There's also a property-tax exemption on the value solar adds to your home — your house is worth more, but the county won't tax you on that added value. Both apply automatically to homeowners and businesses; nothing to file for the sales-tax break.

TECO net metering — the one most people overlook

This is the incentive that quietly does the heavy lifting in our area. Under Tampa Electric's net-metering program, the excess power your panels send to the grid on a sunny afternoon is credited against what you pull back at night. Sizing your system correctly against your actual TECO usage is how you turn those credits into a near-zero bill — and it's exactly the part a good local installer gets right.

The federal picture, honestly

The federal residential credit ended at the start of 2026 — if someone's still promising you a 30% homeowner credit, they're working from old information. The commercial 30% ITC is still live through the end of 2026, and businesses can stack MACRS depreciation on top. If you own a Hillsborough business, run your numbers on our commercial solar page.

Bottom line for your home

For homeowners, the case now rests on the state exemptions, TECO net metering, and long-run savings against a rising electric bill — sharpened further if you add battery backup for storm season. Incentives shift and every roof is different, so request a free quote and we'll walk through exactly what applies to your address.