Two Utilities, Very Different Solar Policies
Orange County is split between two electric utilities: OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission) serves the City of Orlando and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties; Duke Energy Florida serves most of the rest of Orange County outside OUC's service territory.
Historically, both utilities offered competitive net metering. That changed on July 1, 2025. The utility serving your specific address now has a larger impact on your solar ROI than virtually any other single variable.
OUC TruNet Solar — What Changed and Why It Matters
OUC's traditional net metering program — which credited exported solar at the full retail electricity rate — ended for new customers on July 1, 2025. In its place, OUC launched TruNet Solar:
Keep full 1:1 net metering at the retail rate for 20 years. This is a significant long-term benefit for those early adopters.
Exported solar credited at the community solar rate (~4.6¢/kWh) for 5 years, then at the retail fuel rate — both far below the retail rate paid when buying power.
OUC put a temporary grace period in place through approximately Fall 2026 that allows new TruNet Solar customers to still receive the full retail rate for exports. Since today is August 2026, this window is closing now. If you are an OUC customer seriously considering solar, contact OUC directly to confirm whether the grace period is still active and exactly what credit rate will apply to your system.
The practical consequence: under TruNet after the grace period, a kilowatt-hour of solar you export to OUC's grid is worth roughly one-third (or less) of what a kilowatt-hour you use yourself is worth. Systems sized for high self-consumption — and battery storage that captures surplus generation rather than exporting it — deliver substantially better returns for OUC customers than oversized, export-heavy systems.
OUC Solar Rebate — Up to $2,000
OUC approved a solar rebate of up to $2,000 per premise, available since July 1, 2025, which can be paired with the TruNet Solar program. This is a concrete local incentive that helps offset some of the weaker export economics new customers face under TruNet.
Confirm current availability, eligibility requirements, and the application process directly with OUC before signing an installation contract — program terms can change.
Duke Energy Florida — 1:1 Net Metering Still in Effect
Duke Energy Florida continues to offer 1:1 net metering at the full retail rate for Orange County customers. Excess solar sent to the grid each month is credited at the same rate you pay for electricity. Unused monthly credits roll forward, and remaining credits are settled once a year at the non-firm wholesale rate (approximately 2 cents/kWh).
For Orange County homeowners in Duke Energy territory, the standard Florida solar economics apply. The validated Florida payback range of 7–9 years for cash or loan purchases remains a reasonable benchmark, assuming adequate sun hours (Orange County averages approximately 5.3 peak sun hours per day), good self-consumption, and current 2026 rates.
Battery Storage: A Higher Priority for OUC Customers
Under OUC's TruNet program, every kilowatt-hour your solar system generates and uses in your home is worth far more than every kilowatt-hour exported to the grid. A battery storage system (such as a Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery) allows excess midday solar generation to be stored and used in the evening — avoiding both grid purchases and low-value exports.
For OUC customers, adding battery storage isn't just about resilience — it's a direct financial tool that improves the economics of solar under TruNet. This is less true in Duke Energy territory, where 1:1 net metering already makes exported energy valuable.
PACE Financing in Orange County
PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing allows homeowners to finance solar with no money down, repaid through a property tax assessment with no credit check required. Florida law requires county-by-county authorization, and we have not confirmed active PACE program approval specifically for Orange County as of this writing.
Visit floridapace.gov to check current eligibility for your specific address before assuming PACE is an available option.
Florida Solar Incentives
Florida has no state income tax credit, but it offers powerful property and sales tax exemptions for solar installations that significantly improve your ROI.
Property Tax Exemption
100% exemption from increased property taxes. Adding solar increases your home's value, but Florida law prevents that added value from increasing your property tax bill.
FL Dept of RevenueSales Tax Exemption
6-7.5% savings on equipment. Solar energy systems are completely exempt from Florida's sales and use tax, saving you thousands upfront on the purchase price.
Florida Solar Energy CenterNote: These exemptions apply to purchased or financed systems. Leased systems (PPAs) do not qualify for these specific homeowner tax exemptions.
Frequently Asked Questions — Orange County Solar
How do I know whether OUC or Duke Energy serves my Orange County address?
Orange County is split between two electric utilities. OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission) serves the City of Orlando and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. Duke Energy Florida serves most of the rest of Orange County outside OUC's service territory. The easiest way to confirm: check the top of your electric bill — the utility's name and logo will be there. You can also use the service-territory lookup tools on ouc.com or duke-energy.com. This distinction matters enormously for solar economics in 2025–2026, so confirm before getting quotes.
What changed with OUC net metering, and when did it happen?
OUC replaced traditional 1:1 net metering with a new program called TruNet Solar, effective July 1, 2025. Customers who had solar systems interconnected on or before June 30, 2025 are grandfathered into the old 1:1 net metering rate for 20 years — a major benefit for those early adopters. New customers (applications submitted July 1, 2025 or later) are credited for exported solar energy at OUC's community solar rate (approximately 4.6 cents per kWh) for the first five years, then at the retail fuel rate after that. Both of these export rates are far below the retail rate OUC customers pay when buying electricity — meaning exported solar is worth a fraction of what self-consumed solar is worth. There is a temporary grace period through Fall 2026 during which new OUC solar customers still receive the full retail rate. Since we are in August 2026, this grace period is expiring soon. If you are an OUC customer considering solar now, contact OUC directly to confirm the current status of the grace period and the exact credit rate that will apply to your system before signing an installation contract.
Does OUC offer any rebate for new solar customers?
Yes. OUC approved a solar rebate of up to $2,000 per premise, available since July 1, 2025, which can be paired with the TruNet Solar program. This rebate partially offsets the weaker export credit that new OUC solar customers receive under TruNet. Confirm the rebate's current availability, eligibility requirements, and application process directly with OUC before finalizing a contract, as program terms can change.
How does Duke Energy's net metering compare to OUC's new TruNet program?
Duke Energy Florida still offers 1:1 net metering at the full retail rate for Orange County customers. Excess solar sent to the grid each month is credited at the same rate you pay for electricity. Unused monthly credits roll forward, and remaining credits are settled annually at the non-firm wholesale rate (approximately 2 cents per kWh). The 1:1 structure is substantially more favorable than OUC's new TruNet program for new solar customers after the grace period ends. If you live in Duke Energy territory, the standard Florida solar economics — including the validated 7–9 year payback range — apply. This contrast means that which utility serves your Orange County address now has a bigger financial impact on your solar ROI than it ever did before.
What is a realistic payback period for solar in Orange County?
It depends heavily on your utility. Duke Energy customers should expect payback periods in line with the validated Florida average of roughly 7–9 years for cash or loan purchases, assuming good self-consumption and full 1:1 net metering. OUC customers who are still within the grace period (through approximately Fall 2026) may also approach that range if they act quickly. OUC customers who install after the grace period ends and export a meaningful share of their generation should expect longer payback periods, because exported solar will be credited at only ~4.6 cents/kWh vs. the retail rate they pay. Sizing the system to maximize self-consumption and adding battery storage to capture surplus generation rather than exporting it can improve OUC payback significantly. The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 and is not available for systems installed in 2026 or later — any contractor quote that includes this credit for a 2026 installation is out of date.
Is PACE financing available in Orange County?
PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing allows homeowners to finance solar with no money down, repaying through a property tax assessment. Florida law requires county-by-county authorization, and we have not confirmed active PACE program availability specifically for Orange County as of this writing. Visit floridapace.gov to check current eligibility for your address before assuming PACE is available. If PACE is available, be aware that it places a lien on your property that takes priority ahead of your mortgage — review the terms carefully and consider consulting your mortgage servicer before signing.
Is the 30% federal solar tax credit still available in 2026?
No. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 and is not available for solar systems installed in 2026 or later. Many online calculators and contractor quotes still show this credit — be sure any estimate you receive reflects current law. The commercial Investment Tax Credit (Section 48) has different rules and may apply to certain business or commercial installations; consult a tax professional for those situations.
DISCLAIMER: All estimates are approximations based on regional averages. Actual savings vary by location, roof orientation, utility provider, and installer. This calculator does not guarantee specific savings.
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