Solar payback in St. Petersburg, FL
Below: electricity rates for St. Petersburg, how much sun a solar array gets here, and example payback for a few illustrative bills.
Electricity rates near St. Petersburg
We use Duke Energy Florida as the likely utility for St. Petersburg. Check your bill to confirm yours. Other utilities in the state are listed for comparison.
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| 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 St. Petersburg gets
Estimated output of 1 kW of rooftop solar, month by month, from NREL PVWatts weather data: about 1,482 kWh per year. Real output depends on your roof, shading and equipment.
| Month | kWh per kW |
|---|---|
| Jan | 110 |
| Feb | 112 |
| Mar | 138 |
| Apr | 145 |
| May | 146 |
| Jun | 125 |
| Jul | 120 |
| Aug | 118 |
| Sep | 121 |
| Oct | 128 |
| Nov | 114 |
| Dec | 106 |
Rooftop solar in St. Petersburg makes about 1,482 kWh per kW a year, the 5th 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 St. Petersburg
- Homes (housing units)
- 141,508
- Lived in by their owner
- 62.8% of occupied homes
- Detached single-family houses
- 55.3% of homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Median value of owner-occupied homes
- $371,100
Rooftop solar is usually the homeowner's decision, and it is simplest on a house with a roof of its own. In St. Petersburg, 62.8% of occupied homes are lived in by their owner and 55.3% of all homes are detached single-family houses. Condos, townhomes and apartments usually need approval from the building or association first.
Half of St. Petersburg's homes were built before 1969. 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 St. Petersburg city, read on 2026-11-01. See the Census table. Estimates have a margin of error.
Example payback in St. Petersburg
These use illustrative example bills, not averages for St. Petersburg. 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 bill | System size | Installed cost | Payback (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 4.5–5 kW | $11,900–$17,800 | 12.5–18 (likely 15) |
| $200 | 9.4–10.5 kW | $24,900–$37,400 | 11–15.5 (likely 13) |
| $350 | 15 kW | $39,500–$53,500 | 10–14.5 (likely 12) |
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.