FPL Solar and Net Metering in 2026

Florida Power & Light customers have access to one of Florida’s more favorable rooftop-solar billing structures, but a successful project still depends on system sizing, roof conditions, interconnection, and a realistic understanding of what remains on the utility bill.

Quick answer: FPL uses a bidirectional meter. Solar used immediately by the home reduces electricity purchased from FPL. Excess generation can offset usage under FPL’s net-metering structure, with unused kilowatt-hour reserves receiving year-end treatment under the applicable tariff.

What is an FPL kWh reserve?

When an FPL net-metering customer exports more eligible energy than the account imports during the applicable billing calculation, the excess may appear as a kilowatt-hour reserve. FPL explains that excess amounts can be applied to the next month.

If unused kilowatt-hours remain in the reserve when the meter is read in December, FPL applies a dollar credit under the applicable tariff. The annual credit should not be assumed to equal the full retail value of those remaining kilowatt-hours.

This makes accurate annual sizing important. Producing a large annual surplus is usually less valuable than using solar to offset realistic household consumption.

FPL system-sizing rule

FPL currently states that a renewable system must be estimated to produce less than 115% of the customer’s annual kilowatt-hour consumption to qualify under its net-metering guidelines.

The analysis should use a full 12 months of usage whenever possible. One summer bill is not an annual load profile.

Future usage may justify a different design, but it should be documented carefully. Common changes include:

• Adding an electric vehicle
• Installing a pool or changing pool-pump hours
• Replacing gas appliances with electric appliances
• Adding living space
• Increasing occupancy
• Changing HVAC equipment
• Working from home
• Adding a heat-pump water heater

A larger design is not automatically a better design.

FPL interconnection tiers

FPL determines the tier using the system’s gross AC power rating. For inverter-based systems, FPL describes that rating as the DC array rating multiplied by 0.85.

Systems at or above 50 kW have additional three-phase service requirements under FPL’s published guidance.

FPL also warns that systems approaching the capacity of existing service or distribution equipment may require upgrades at the customer’s expense.

Do not operate before permission to operate

FPL requires approval before installation and operation under its net-metering process. After installation, the project generally needs:

• Final local inspection
• Completed interconnection documents
• Required fees and insurance for applicable tiers
• FPL review
• Bidirectional meter configuration or installation
• Permission to operate

Turning on a system before the correct meter and approval can create billing and safety problems.

Sunstorm Energy and its licensed installation partners should communicate clearly about the difference between:

• Physical installation
• Local inspection
• Utility meter work
• Permission to operate
• Activation and monitoring

Will an FPL solar customer still receive a utility bill?

Yes.

Solar can reduce electricity purchased from FPL, but the customer remains connected to the grid unless the property is intentionally designed as an off-grid system. Depending on the account and current tariff, the bill can still include:

• Customer or minimum charges
• Taxes and assessments
• Usage beyond solar production
• Seasonal differences
• Charges not fully offset by energy credits

The correct sales comparison is:

Expected utility charges after solar + the selected solar payment or ownership cost

versus:

Expected utility-only cost without solar

FPL battery-export limitation

Under FPL’s current published policy, energy stored in a behind-the-meter battery is for the customer’s use and may not be exported from the battery to the grid. Standalone battery output is not treated as net-metered renewable generation.

This matters when configuring battery controls. The installer and equipment settings should comply with the current interconnection requirements.

Is a battery financially necessary in FPL territory?

Usually not for basic monthly net-metering value.

Because FPL’s current monthly net-metering structure can offset imports with eligible exports, many homeowners evaluate batteries primarily for:

• Hurricane and storm resilience
• Brief outage protection
• Medical or work-from-home needs
• Refrigeration, internet, lighting, and selected circuits
• Greater energy independence

A battery can still be valuable, but the recommendation should be based on backup goals rather than a claim that every FPL solar system needs storage to save money.

Frequently asked questions

Does FPL provide one-for-one net metering?

FPL’s current program provides monthly netting and carryforward treatment under Florida’s net-metering framework. Any annual surplus remaining in December receives a dollar credit under the applicable tariff, which should not be assumed to equal full retail value.

Can I size an FPL system above my annual use?

FPL currently requires estimated production below 115% of annual kilowatt-hour consumption for approval under its published guidelines.

Does my FPL bill show total solar production?

No. Solar used immediately in the home never reaches the FPL meter. Use the solar monitoring platform for total production.

Can a battery send power back to FPL?

FPL’s current published guidance says energy stored by a behind-the-meter battery is for customer use and may not be exported from the battery to the grid.

Is Sunstorm Energy affiliated with FPL?

No. Sunstorm Energy is an independent solar and home-services company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by FPL.