4 Crucial Components of a Clean Solar Energy Experience

Demand for residential solar is at an all-time high, following the news of the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for renewable energy projects being cut from the IRS Tax Code at the end of 2025. The race to complete solar energy projects by December 31st, 2025 has begun, leading many homeowners to speedy decision-making. While there will not be a better time to go solar in the near future than now, while projects are still eligible for a 30% federal tax credit, the importance of thoughtful, well-informed project planning cannot be understated.

As everyone rushes to ensure their renewable energy projects are completed prior to this year's deadline, we believe it's more crucial than ever to educate yourself on the basics of solar energy expectations to ensure you don't fall victim to the consequences of a poorly executed installation project. Here are five considerations to keep top of mind when collecting project bids and finalizing your photovoltaic solar project:

The Solar Tax Credit

With the Federal ITC being the primary driver of solar & battery demand in 2025, it's important to note that not every consumer will experience the tax credit in the same way. We have previously published a blog and a video explaining how the tax credit can work in various situations, so we won't spend too much time recapping that same information here.

The main piece of advice to keep in mind is that it's highly recommend to consult with a licensed tax professional regarding how the ITC would be expected to impact your personal tax situation. Very few, if any, solar companies have a licensed CPA on staff, and any solar salesperson that is willing to "guarantee" you a large tax refund check from the federal government should be handled with skepticism and extreme caution.

Pricing & Sales Tactics

Per EnergySage, the average cost of installing a solar panel system in Florida is around $2.20/watt, as of July 2025.

With demand for solar installation services seeing a major spike since the passing of the "Big Beautiful Bill," companies may see this as an opportunity to jack up their prices. While there is some economic logic to higher demand leading to higher prices, there are many reputable companies throughout Florida that are keeping prices stable through this flurry of new customers. Not every solar project is built the same, but it should be well within reason to seek a turnkey solar installation for no more than $2.50/watt. The price-per-watt for your solar project is simply: Total System Cost (before incentives) divided by Total Solar System Size (in watts); where 1kW = 1,000 watts.

Generally speaking, it's wise to seek multiple bids for your home and avoid rushing to sign a contract with any company that is relying on scare tactics to try and earn your business. Consumers likely have until at least September 2025 to get their project started in time to be completed by the end of the year. If a solar provider is making you feel rushed to make a decision at any point throughout the project planning process, you may be better suited to find another partner for your solar energy project.

Warranties

Rushing to get your solar project done in time to be eligible for the 30% tax credit may inherently lack long-term considerations for your solar experience over the lifetime of your system. It's still important to do your due diligence when evaluating contractor bids. From our experience in the industry, Solar Insure is the utmost warranty protection for a solar project.

We see Solar Insure as a tri-layered benefit. First and foremost, 30 years of labor coverage is extremely valuable. While major system components often have long-term 25 or 30 year warranty coverage, there can still be costs involved with having a qualified company come out to replace faulty equipment. Even if the parts may be covered by the manufacturer, labor costs often aren't.

Secondly, Solar Insure coverage sticks to the property and is held by a third-party, with no reliance on the installer or component manufacturers to stay in business long term. The warranty is backed by Zurich Insurance Group, a worldwide leader in the insurance space. While installers and manufacturers often come and go, this third-party coverage helps keep your system protected even if you can't reach your original installer for future assistance.

Lastly, Solar Insure is only available through approved installers that are vetted for quality assurance. If your installer is able to offer this warranty, this means that they have been properly vetted on quality by an independent source. If your installer is unable or unwilling to offer Solar Insure warranty coverage, it might be prudent to find one that can.

System Performance & Expectations

It may seem unclear to the consumer how a solar company forecasts energy production and energy offset - a %-based metric of how much of a property's energy usage will be covered by PV solar production. There is no set standard for running solar production forecasting, and, unfortunately, there are many companies and individuals in the solar industry that may be underqualified for setting these long-term energy expectations.

It may be hard to tell which companies are accurate with their forecasting, and which are selling an experience that may be too good to be true. Consumers can combat this two ways: seeking multiple bids & working with a company that contractually guarantees system production for at least the first year of operation. We instill confidence in our customers by including a 1st Year Production Guarantee in our installation contract. Any company that is unwilling to make this kind of guarantee may be knowingly or unknowingly setting false expectations, and that could lead to significantly lower financial returns than projected at the point of sale.

Time is of the essence when it comes to maximizing your return on investment on a solar energy project, but education and understanding should still be a consumer's top priority when deciding whether or not solar is a good fit for them. Not all solar companies are built the same, and it's important to ensure that you are trusting only reputable contractors with commencing work on your home.

At Transform Solar, we focus on delivering a 5-star experience to every customer that honors us with their business, ensuring a great upfront experience and accurate long-term expectations. If you are looking to evaluate a solar project for your property, please feel welcome to submit a quote request or contact us directly at 813-565-1443.