Florida is high on the list of top home solar markets, as noted in an article GAF President Martin DeBono contributed to Roofing Magazine earlier this year.
Florida could become one of the most critical players in the next growth phase of solar adoption as the cost of solar panels continues to plummet.
In fact, the Solar Energy Industries Association has named the coming 10 years “The Solar+ Decade” because it predicts solar energy will comprise 20 percent of all U.S. electricity generation by 2030.
Florida currently ranks 5th in the nation for most solar installed, with more than 411,000 solar homes. It’s certainly a good time to go solar in Florida: Prices there have dropped 36 percent, according to SEIA, and in five years the state is expected to have the 3rd highest amount of installed solar in the nation.
Why Solar in Florida?
As DeBono explained in Roofing Magazine, solar financing mechanisms that helped solar take off in states such as California and Arizona were previously prohibited in Florida, which previously only allowed utilities to sell power there.
But in 2019 the Public Service Commission approved the limited use of residential solar leases in Florida, which made solar more affordable for homeowners.
Benefits of Installing Solar With a New Roof
Most homeowners will need to install a new roof at some point, but that fact is particularly true in the Sunshine State, where roofs take a beating from weather elements including hot sunshine, hurricanes, salt-laden sea air, torrential tropical downpours and an all-around humid climate.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, 3-tab asphalt shingle roofs are expected to last 10 to 12 years in Florida.
Florida homeowners replacing a roof might as well put all that sun to work by installing a home solar system at the same time.
When a GAF Master Elite® roofer installs your roof, you only have to worry about scheduling one project. Designed to provide a low-profile alternative to the old-fashioned rack-mounted solar systems, which are typically drilled through a roof’s shingles, GAF Energy solar integrates directly with the roofing system and requires no penetration of the roofing membrane, reducing the risk of water leaks.
Another benefit our customers appreciate: Choosing GAF Energy and GAF means you’re working with a proven company founded in the 1800s, and with local roofing contractors in your home community.
“Solar is the future… With GAF Energy, there’s now a solar roofing system that we’re confident in. It’s a fantastic product,” said Robbie Sanger, Owner of High Tower Roofing. “A solar roof can help pay for an entirely new roof over time by helping reduce homeowners’ monthly electric bills; it’s a choice that makes good economic sense for many customers.”
“Solar is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners across Florida. GAF has been the leader in roofing for decades, so we trust GAF Energy’s approach to solar for our customers–it’s an incredible product,” said Matt Housh, Owner of Arry’s Roofing Services in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
If you’re in the Sunshine State and you’d like to learn more about GAF Energy solar integrated roofing, let us know and we can put you in touch with a roofer who can help you.