Which County Has the Highest Solar Adoption in Florida's Treasure Coast?

The Sunshine State's Coastal Solar Revolution

Florida's Treasure Coast-encompassing Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties-has emerged as a solar powerhouse in the nation's third-largest solar market. Florida has installed 3.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar-generation capacity through the first three quarters of 2024, nearly matching the state's record-setting amount of 3.2 GW installed last year. That's the second most in the nation, ranking behind only Texas.

But when it comes to the Treasure Coast specifically, one county stands out as the clear leader in residential solar adoption.

Palm Beach County Takes the Crown

Palm Beach County leads the Treasure Coast in solar adoption, driven by a combination of progressive policies, robust utility investments, and strong community engagement. As of December 2018, Palm Beach County has permitted 887 separate solar installations community-wide. As of March 2020, the County is recognized as a SolSmart Gold community.

This leadership position stems from several key factors:

Utility-Scale Investment Leadership

Florida Power and Light is constructing five new solar energy centers in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. The new FPL solar energy centers are under construction at the following locations: FPL Turnpike Solar Energy Center in Indian River County, FPL White Tail Solar Energy Center in Martin County, FPL Silver Palm Solar Energy Center in Palm Beach County, FPL Pineapple Solar Energy Center in St. Lucie County, FPL Orchard Solar Energy Center in St. Lucie and Indian River Counties.

Community Solar Programs

The Palm Beach 2024 Solar Co-op has selected Go Solar Power to install solar panels for the 29-member group. Co-op members selected Go Solar Power through a competitive bidding process. These organized community efforts help residents access competitive pricing and trusted installers.

Progressive Municipal Policies

Palm Beach County's recognition as a SolSmart Gold community reflects its commitment to reducing barriers to solar adoption through streamlined permitting processes and supportive policies.

The Complete Treasure Coast Solar Landscape

While Palm Beach County leads, the entire Treasure Coast region shows impressive solar growth:

Martin County's Solar Heritage

Martin County holds special significance in Florida's solar history. The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Martin County, Florida, has a concentrating solar power facility. When operating, it is the only concentrating solar thermal generating facility east of the Rocky Mountains. This pioneering facility demonstrates the county's commitment to innovative solar technology.

St. Lucie County's Growing Presence

A new solar power plant in St. Lucie County is one of four that went online Thursday. Florida's electric grid got a little greener this week after four new Florida Power and Light solar power plants went online, including one located in St. Lucie County.

Indian River County's Strategic Development

Indian River County benefits from both the FPL Turnpike Solar Energy Center and shared development with the FPL Orchard Solar Energy Center, positioning it as an important regional solar hub.

Why the Treasure Coast is Perfect for Solar

Abundant Sunshine

Stuart, Florida, enjoys ample sunshine throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar energy generation. With over 230 sunny days annually, residents and businesses can harness solar power to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources and lower electricity bills.

Hurricane Resilience Through Battery Storage

The Treasure Coast's hurricane exposure makes battery backup storage particularly valuable. The frequency of storms is creating consternation for homeowners, and that needs to be mitigated. Installing a robust and resilient energy production, storage, and delivery system is one way to provide the peace of mind that Southwest Florida residents crave.

Battery storage keeps your essential appliances up and running when you need them most. You won't be able to run everything but you'll be able to keep the lights on, charge your phone to stay in contact with your loved ones, keep the fridge on to keep food from spoiling, and even use the backup power to keep medical equipment running.

Time-Sensitive Opportunity: Act Before 2026

Critical Update: Congress has approved terminating the 30% tax credit for residential solar and battery storage, known as 25D. Homeowners will need to have their systems installed by December 31, 2025 to qualify for this credit before it's gone.

For the typical Treasure Coast solar installation, this represents substantial savings. For a typical $25,000 solar energy system, the 30% tax credit equates to a $7,500 reduction in federal tax liability, a substantial saving that could be lost if the credit expires early.

Your Local Solar Solution: Blue Energy Electric

Blue Energy Electric serves all four Treasure Coast counties-Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River-with comprehensive solar solutions designed for Florida's unique conditions. Founded by industry veterans David Scherich and Michael Kerr, our company has installed over 2 million watts of solar capacity, empowering customers to choose their energy source.

Our Complete Service Portfolio

• Solar Photovoltaic: High-efficiency systems optimized for coastal Florida conditions

• Battery Backup Storage: Essential hurricane preparedness with advanced SI-30 technology

• Solar Panel Cleaning: Maintaining peak performance in coastal environments

• Solar Maintenance and Repair: Expert service to maximize system longevity

• Solar Removal and Reinstallation: Professional service for roof work or upgrades

• Residential Solar Panels: Custom solutions for homeowners

• Commercial Solar Panels: Scalable systems for businesses

The Economics Make Sense

Solar panels cost $2.62 per Watt, Florida Solar Power is very competitive in the solar market. An average system of 5kWh is enough to offset around 80% of an average household electricity consumption.

Florida's net metering policies ensure you receive credit for excess energy your system produces, making solar a smart long-term investment even as utility rates continue climbing.

Florida's Solar Future

Florida is predicted to take over as the top-ranked residential solar state in 2028, according to the new SEIA report. The Treasure Coast is positioned to lead this transformation, with Palm Beach County setting the pace for the entire region.

Generation from small-scale installations (less than 1 megawatt) was about eight times greater in 2024 than in 2019, in part because of the removal of state restrictions on leased solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, such as rooftop solar panels.

Take Action Before It's Too Late

With the federal solar tax credit ending December 31, 2025, now is the time to secure your energy independence. The combination of 30% federal tax credits, Florida's abundant sunshine, and the critical need for hurricane-resilient power makes this the optimal moment for Treasure Coast residents to go solar.

Ready to cut your energy costs and prepare for hurricane season? Contact Blue Energy Electric today or call 772-232-6594 to get started with a free consultation.

Don't wait-while Palm Beach County leads the Treasure Coast in solar adoption today, your county could be next. Join the solar revolution that's transforming how Florida powers its future, one rooftop at a time.

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Blue Energy Electric serves Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County, Martin County, and Indian River County with affordable, scalable, and dependable solar solutions. Our passion is making homes and businesses self-sufficient through custom solar installations designed for Florida's unique coastal environment.