Tampa Bay area solar companies busy as federal tax credit ends this year

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For homeowners looking to take advantage of federal solar tax credits, time is running out.

Those credits will expire at the end of this year after recent federal legislation ended tax credits for rooftop solar setups. 

There are a lot of moving pieces to prepare a house for solar power. Justin Senia would know — he has been in the industry for nearly 13 years and started Evolve Solar about five years ago. 

“It’s outdoors, it’s pretty fun, a little challenging,” he said. “I like electricity, I like the technology.”

Co-owner Jay Singh said business has been busy, in part because of a federal solar tax credit. 

“It made it more affordable for homeowners to make that switch — especially when they’re saving 30% off the solar system costs,” Singh said. “It makes tons of financial sense,” Singh said.

When President Donald Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law, the federal solar tax credit that gives consumers that reduction in price was slated to go away. It will disappear at the end of 2025.

In an executive order, Trump claimed that solar and wind projects displaces domestic energy sources and compromises the country’s electric grid.

“Reliance on so-called ‘green’ subsidies threatens national security by making the United States dependent on supply chains controlled by foreign adversaries,” the order said.

Singh said business has gone up about 20% in recent months, as homeowners try to go solar while they still have a tax break. 

“So there’s definitely a big jump in demand for solar,” he said. “And everybody’s pushing to, to get their install done by the end of the year.”

Evolve Solar worked on Diane Willis’ house on Tuesday. She said she made her appointment early this year and said the tax break ending was a factor. 

“It’s saved me money, but I probably would have done it anyway,” Willis said. “Because I’m so convinced that I need this right now.”

Despite losing the tax break after Dec. 31, 2025, Senia said he is still expecting people to turn to solar power.

“Yes, high demand for residential and commercial, for solar for sure, and I think it will always be,” Senia said.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida ranks second in the country for total installed residential solar capacity.