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RayValueSolar math for your home

Solar payback in Sarasota, FL

Below: electricity rates for Sarasota, how much sun a solar array gets here, and example payback for a few illustrative bills.

Electricity rates near Sarasota

We use Florida Power & Light (FPL) as the likely utility for Sarasota. Check your bill to confirm yours. Other utilities in the state are listed for comparison.

Florida Power & Light (FPL) (likely utility for this city)
ItemRate
First 1000 kWh/month$0.123/kWh
Over 1000 kWh/month$0.143/kWh
Fixed monthly charge$10.52

Source: utility rate page, read 2026-10-22.

Duke Energy Florida
ItemRate
Summer First 1000 kWh/month$0.136/kWh
Summer Over 1000 kWh/month$0.154/kWh
Winter First 1000 kWh/month$0.147/kWh
Winter Over 1000 kWh/month$0.172/kWh
Fixed monthly charge$14.43

Source: utility rate page, read 2026-10-22.

Tampa Electric (TECO)
ItemRate
First 1000 kWh/month$0.139/kWh
Over 1000 kWh/month$0.159/kWh
Fixed monthly charge$13.69

Source: utility rate page, read 2026-10-25.

How much sun Sarasota gets

Estimated output of 1 kW of rooftop solar, month by month, from NREL PVWatts weather data: about 1,483 kWh per year. Real output depends on your roof, shading and equipment.

Estimated monthly solar output per kW installed in SarasotaJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Estimated monthly solar output per kW installed in Sarasota (kWh)
MonthkWh per kW
Jan112
Feb117
Mar139
Apr144
May145
Jun133
Jul122
Aug121
Sep116
Oct124
Nov107
Dec103

Rooftop solar in Sarasota makes about 1,483 kWh per kW a year, the 4th most of the 23 Florida cities on RayValue (they range from 1,411 to 1,535, a 9% spread). Sun varies little across Florida, so your rates and bill matter more to payback than which city you live in.

Homes in Sarasota

Homes (housing units)
32,324
Lived in by their owner
57.5% of occupied homes
Detached single-family houses
39.0% of homes
Median year built
1976
Median value of owner-occupied homes
$463,000

Rooftop solar is usually the homeowner's decision, and it is simplest on a house with a roof of its own. In Sarasota, 57.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owner and 39.0% of all homes are detached single-family houses. Condos, townhomes and apartments usually need approval from the building or association first.

Half of Sarasota's homes were built before 1976. Panels last decades, so if your roof is near the end of its life, ask installers whether to replace it before they install.

Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Sarasota city, read on 2026-11-01. See the Census table. Estimates have a margin of error.

Example payback in Sarasota

These use illustrative example bills, not averages for Sarasota. They show a solar-only system (no battery, some shading) at the likely utility's rates, with no federal tax credit. Your own numbers will differ; use the calculator for yours.

Monthly billSystem sizeInstalled costPayback (years)
$1005.3–5.9 kW$14,000–$21,10014–20.5 (likely 17)
$20010.7–11.9 kW$28,200–$42,40012–17.5 (likely 14.5)
$35015 kW$39,500–$53,50010.5–15.5 (likely 13)

Get quotes or run your numbers

Compare free quotes from up to 3 local installers, or enter your ZIP and monthly bill to get a payback range for your home.