Solar payback in West Palm Beach, FL
Below: electricity rates for West Palm Beach, how much sun a solar array gets here, and example payback for a few illustrative bills.
Electricity rates near West Palm Beach
We use Florida Power & Light (FPL) as the likely utility for West Palm Beach. Check your bill to confirm yours. Other utilities in the state are listed for comparison.
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 | $0.139/kWh |
| Over 1000 kWh/month | $0.159/kWh |
| Fixed monthly charge | $13.69 |
Source: utility rate page, read 2026-10-25.
How much sun West Palm Beach gets
Estimated output of 1 kW of rooftop solar, month by month, from NREL PVWatts weather data: about 1,472 kWh per year. Real output depends on your roof, shading and equipment.
| Month | kWh per kW |
|---|---|
| Jan | 112 |
| Feb | 109 |
| Mar | 140 |
| Apr | 134 |
| May | 139 |
| Jun | 125 |
| Jul | 129 |
| Aug | 127 |
| Sep | 119 |
| Oct | 123 |
| Nov | 111 |
| Dec | 104 |
Rooftop solar in West Palm Beach makes about 1,472 kWh per kW a year, the 8th 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 West Palm Beach
- Homes (housing units)
- 62,464
- Lived in by their owner
- 50.5% of occupied homes
- Detached single-family houses
- 38.4% of homes
- Median year built
- 1988
- Median value of owner-occupied homes
- $414,200
Rooftop solar is usually the homeowner's decision, and it is simplest on a house with a roof of its own. In West Palm Beach, 50.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owner and 38.4% of all homes are detached single-family houses. Condos, townhomes and apartments usually need approval from the building or association first.
Half of West Palm Beach's homes were built before 1988. 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 West Palm Beach city, read on 2026-11-01. See the Census table. Estimates have a margin of error.
Example payback in West Palm Beach
These use illustrative example bills, not averages for West Palm Beach. 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 | 5.4–6 kW | $14,100–$21,200 | 14–20.5 (likely 17) |
| $200 | 10.8–12 kW | $28,400–$42,700 | 12–17.5 (likely 14.5) |
| $350 | 15 kW | $39,500–$53,500 | 11–15.5 (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.