Public Service Solar has announced its expansion to the Sunshine State of Florida and is now installing solar, battery storage, EV charging, and HVAC services in Southwest Florida. With its Florida headquarters based out of Naples, Public Service Solar is committed to helping homeowners in Florida achieve energy independence and home backup power protection for emergencies.
Since 2018, Public Service Solar has provided premium solar and roofing solutions for homes in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. With its major differentiator being the use of premium components with long lasting warranties.
Backed by elite certifications as a Panasonic Elite Installer, Enphase Platinum Installer, and GAF Master Elite Dealer – it has always been about ensuring long lasting system performance. With years of experience installing solar, batteries, and roofs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; Public Service Solar was recognized as Panasonic’s Northeast Residential Solar Installer of the Year in 2023.
The motivation
In order to provide turnkey home energy solutions to Florida, Public Service Solar commits to the basic ethics it was built upon.
Founder and CEO, Anthony Lostracco, said about the move:
“I am raising my children in Naples, I have built my home here. My brother and my parents live right around the corner from me. For me, it’s about family. And to be honorable in this community means doing solar the right way and leading by example.”
The motivations of Anthony are instilled in every employee from day one with core values of loyalty, transparency, persistence, honesty, and fairness – setting the tone for how the work is to be done. Bringing the same quality of service to homeowners in Florida stands to benefit the region greatly. With abundant sunlight and hurricane threats every year, solar and battery storage make sense in Florida.
How can homeowners benefit from solar in Florida?
Florida’s natural sunlight and rising electric prices make it an ideal location for solar installations. A solar installation installed in the Northeast is very different from a solar installation installed in Florida.
For example, if we take production data from NREL website PVWatts, we can compare a 10 kW solar array installed in New Jersey and compare it to an identical solar system installed in Naples, Florida. And the difference is remarkable.
Sample solar array parameters:
| City: | Burlington, NJ | Naples, FL |
| Lat, Lng: | 40.09, -74.86 | 26.13, -81.78 |
| DC System Size: | 10.0 kW | 10.0 kW |
| Module Type: | Premium | Premium |
| Array Type: | Fixed | Fixed |
| System Losses: | 14.08 | 14.08 |
| Tilt: | 20 degrees | 20 degrees |
| Azimuth: | 180 degrees | 180 degrees |
| Annual Solar Radiation: | 4.71 | 5.80 |
| Annual kWh Production: | 13,383 | 16,077 |
When comparing the production of a solar array in the Northeast compared with a system in Naples, Florida – it is clear why solar in Florida makes sense. The same installation, installed with the same fixed variables, will produce on average 17% more electricity annually in Florida than the same solar array in the Northeast.
This generous production factor in Florida means extra value for Florida homeowners. For example, based on a price per DC watt of $3.00, both sample systems would cost $30,000. However, the cost per AC annual kWh production comes to $2.24 in the Northeast and only $1.87 in Florida! It is clear that the cost of solar to a homeowner in Florida comes at a great discount.
Beyond the remarkable solar production, Florida solar incentives are paving the way for homeowners to make the switch to cost saving solar energy and battery storage. When homeowners go solar in Florida, they qualify for:
- Solar Tax Credit (30%)
- Net Metering
- Property Tax Exemption
- Sales Tax Exemption
Homeowners in Naples, Florida have a lot to gain when it comes to solar. To get a quote for a solar installation on your Florida home, contact Public Service Solar.
How can homeowners benefit from battery storage in Florida?
The threat of hurricanes in Florida is very real during the Atlantic’s six month hurricane season. With its warm gulf waters, the west coast of Florida is particularly prone to hurricanes and the damage that comes from them. Since the start of recording hurricanes on the Saffir/Simpson scale in 1851, Western Florida has seen the most hurricanes in the United States and they are growing in frequency.
With the threat of hurricanes and the potential for days and weeks without power, battery storage provides a solution. With a solar and battery storage installation, your battery can recharge directly from the solar panels which are designed to withstand hurricane force winds. This means a reliable source of back up energy, without trips to the gas station to fill gas canisters with a scarce supply of gasoline.
A battery storage system in Florida even qualifies for the 30% solar tax credit (ITC). When combined with the value of solar production in the state a solar plus battery storage system in Florida is a safe, reliable, and economic solution.
Contact Public Service Solar today, to get a quote for a Panasonic Evervolt Battery system for your Florida home.
How to tell if solar is right for your home?
In order to qualify for a home solar and battery storage installation you must first be a homeowner. Unfortunately, renters do not qualify for solar services. In addition to home ownership, homeowners interested in financing solar must have a good credit history. Typical FICO minimums are 660 while also often taking into account a debt to income ratio.
Solar is most beneficial when a home’s utility bill is over $100/month. Although not a requirement, getting the best value for solar grows with each additional dollar of monthly electric demand. The site is important too, you must live in a community that allows solar panels and have adequate sunlight.
You can find out if your home is right for solar online by simply by using a quick internet analysis using satellite data to scan your roof. The analysis uses data from Google Project Sunroof to calculate available roof space and solar production and compares it with your energy use and real solar pricing in your area.
Introducing HVAC to Florida customers
In the name of energy efficiency, Public Service Solar’s services have expanded to include HVAC to the Southwestern Florida market. As Certified Lennox Installer, Public Service Solar installs mini-split heat pumps, air conditioners, and water heaters.
The cost of air conditioning in Florida
Cooling a home In Florida makes up for a substantial amount of the home’s annual kWh usage. In Southwest Florida, it is typical to run air conditioners 365 days a year. In fact, according to the US Energy Administration, more than half of household energy consumption comes from heating and cooling the home. In the Northeast, the heating portion comes almost exclusively from fossil fuels with electric running air conditioners in warmer weather. However, in Florida the standard arrangement is air conditioning running up electric bills all year round.
A typical central air conditioning unit uses between 3,000 and 3,500 watts per hour. In Florida, running 365 days for 7 hours a day equates to an annual energy demand of 6,570-8,943 kWh. With an average price per kWh of electricity in Florida at .14 cents per kilowatt-hour this can cost at least $1,252 in electric charges.
Energy efficiency matters
Florida homeowners can often spend half or even more of their power bill towards air conditioning. That’s why partnering with Lennox made sense for Public Service Solar from an energy efficiency perspective.
With some of the highest SEERs (Season Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings in the industry and ENERGY STAR® Certified HVAC equipment, Lennox cooling units deliver efficiency that is comfortable and affordable.
In fact, when comparing the MPB mini-split heat pump from Lennox at 24.5 SEER rating to an older unit with a 10 SEER rating, a homeowner is expected to save 58% in costs and as much as $2,835 in 15-years Based on US National Averages.
For a quote on ENERGY STAR® Certified air conditioners and mini-splits from Public Service Solar, Contact Public Service Solar.
Consider coupling solar panels with HVAC upgrades
Based on the PV watts analysis above, the average solar array installed on a due south roof in Florida has a generous 1.6 production factor (factor of production over system rating). Based on this production, if a home is using almost 9,000 kWh of their energy usage towards cooling, a 5.625 kW solar installation would be required – which is just (13) Panasonic 420 watt solar panels! Not only can Public Service Solar lower your power demand through ENERGY STAR® Certified HVAC equipment, with solar, your HVAC demand can go down to near zero.
Bringing premium energy solutions to Southwest Florida
Public Service Solar is proud to bring its expertise in solar, battery storage, EV charging, and HVAC to Southwest Florida. With a strong foundation in quality and reliability, and backed by elite certifications, Public Service Solar committed to helping Florida homeowners with energy independence, emergency backup power, and efficient cooling systems. Learn more about Public Service Solar and how you might be able to benefit from energy efficiency in your Florida home.
