“I feel like Indiana Jones with a treasure, escaping before a door snaps shut,” says Venice resident Kathy McSteen. “Major changes are affecting the 30% residential energy tax credit. At the end of this year, solar credits drop significantly, then disappear by 2028. For anyone thinking about photovoltaics, the time to start an installation is now.”
McSteen has bills showing since her system went online in March 2025, her average monthly budget charge of $175 dropped to $25.00, Florida Power and Light's minimum charge for grid tied systems, plus $2.19 sales tax. Her May-June bill shows over 600 kilowatt hours already banked for credit during the peak AC summer months for a 2700 sq ft house. At the end of the year, FPL pays the system owner for unused kilowatt hours.
“My ROI is approximately 10.73 percent and that doesn’t count anything I may receive at the end of the year or FPL rate increases, if passed.” According to AARP.org’s webpage 2025 Florida Power & Light Rate Case Hub, FPL’s proposal--if granted by the state Public Service Commission--will be the largest electric base rate increase in US history accompanied by an approved profit margin increase over the national average.
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“FPL justifies the proposal, in part, to finance utility owned solar farms for residential and business customers. If FPL knows this is the way to go, why not grown your own?” Kathy asks. “My ROI will be even better, too, because I snagged a used plug-in hybrid in April that gets 40 to 47 miles in free miles generated by my solar system before the gas engine kicks in. I’ve gone from about three to a single tank of gas a month, an extra savings of about $900 a year. I can fast charge off the 240 dryer plug in my garage or overnight with a regular outlet. And I was relieved to learn my home insurance will not be cancelled because of panels, nor does FPL require, for my size system, an extra liability policy.”
What sparked the decision for a 70+ year old to invest in solar? “I already reduced my bill by over $100 a month with new windows, extra insulation, and a solar vent to lower my attic temperature. Those improvements already paid for themselves and made my home more comfortable. What’s next to help me age in place and have some fun-mon every month? Solar seemed a good choice,” McSteen says.
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After getting bids and researching solar companies “like the owner was going to marry my granddaughter,” McSteen chose Optimus Energy Solutions, a Florida business also vetted by Solar United Neighbors (SUN) for its Sarasota County solar purchase co-op. "I was very happy with their equipment quality, pricing, project communication and installation services. I shied away from system leasing because you don't own the system for perhaps 2 decades, the savings are not as great, tax credits go to the leasing company and--to sell your house--the lease lien must be paid off."
What’s next for this energy savvy senior? “Maybe on-demand water heaters and when the AC units need replacing, a higher SEER rating to help justify a bucket list trip without breaking my budget."
