As of 2026, Florida maintains a generally supportive stance toward commercial solar panel projects, although its approach is more pragmatic than aggressive. State law encourages the development of solar energy and protects the rights of property owners to install solar systems, including commercial facilities. Solar projects are broadly permitted in agricultural and many other zoning categories, which simplifies site selection and local approvals. However, unlike some states with binding renewable energy mandates, Florida does not require utilities to reach a specific percentage of energy generation from renewables. This means that growth in commercial solar is largely driven by market forces, economics, and local utility demand rather than mandatory statewide targets.

Federal and state incentives play a major role in promoting commercial solar development. The federal 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is still available for projects that begin construction by mid‑2026, after which the credit begins to phase down, making timely project initiation essential. At the state level, Florida offers property tax exemptions for solar improvements and sales tax exemptions for solar equipment, helping reduce upfront and ongoing costs for commercial developers. Net metering rules also allow businesses to receive credit for excess electricity generated, improving the financial return on investment for larger installations. These incentives, combined with declining solar technology costs and growing utility interest in large-scale solar, continue to make Florida a competitive market for commercial solar development.

Florida is implementing additional regulatory requirements to ensure responsible growth of commercial solar. Senate Bill 200, effective in 2026, introduces mandates for decommissioning plans, financial assurance, and construction best practices for large solar facilities, reflecting a focus on environmental protection and long-term site management. While these measures add compliance responsibilities for developers, they also signal a maturing market where safety, sustainability, and community considerations are increasingly emphasized. Overall, Florida’s approach favors cost-effective deployment, regulatory predictability, and integration with the grid, while leaving aggressive renewable energy mandates to the private sector and federal incentives. For commercial solar developers and investors, the combination of available incentives, emerging regulations, and timing considerations will be key factors in project planning and long-term viability.

Florida maintains a strict stance against the development of wind turbine power within its jurisdiction. State law explicitly prohibits commercial-scale wind projects both onshore near the coastline and offshore in state waters. Specifically, wind turbines cannot be built within one mile of the coast or intracoastal waterways, and offshore facilities are barred from state-owned submerged lands. These restrictions are part of broader energy legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, which emphasizes cost-effective and reliable energy sources, removes prior renewable energy mandates, and discourages the construction of wind turbines along Florida’s beaches.

Practical and environmental factors also contribute to Florida’s limited interest in wind energy. The state has relatively low average wind speeds compared to central and northern U.S. regions, making utility-scale wind less economically viable. Additionally, Florida’s hurricane risk raises engineering and insurance costs for wind projects, while no large-scale onshore sites have proven feasible. Combined with the legal barriers, these physical limitations have historically kept Florida from developing commercial wind power, leaving solar, natural gas, and other energy sources as the primary focus for utilities.

Looking ahead, Florida’s ban on wind power is expected to remain in place for the near term, with utilities continuing to rely on solar energy, battery storage, and conventional generation. Any future development of wind energy would require significant legislative changes at the state level. Even if such changes occurred, federal offshore wind projects would still face challenges, particularly regarding transmission infrastructure in Florida’s restricted coastal zones. Overall, Florida continues to prioritize other energy sources, maintaining one of the most restrictive wind energy policies in the United States.

In 2026, Florida’s stance on commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is shaped primarily by state-level regulation and oversight, with local governments largely preempted from imposing their own rules. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) holds authority over permitting, registration, and operational standards for public charging stations, while private fleet or non-public installations are treated differently. This centralized control ensures consistency across the state and prevents municipalities from requiring EV-ready parking spaces or imposing unique permitting standards. Utilities are authorized to develop voluntary EV charging programs for public and fleet use, providing a framework for coordinated infrastructure deployment without mandating local ordinances.

On the financial side, Florida is moving to reduce the cost of operating commercial chargers. In early 2026, the legislature advanced Senate Bill 680, which proposes to exempt electricity sold for EV charging from state sales and gross receipts taxes starting July 1, 2026, provided the electricity is separately metered. This reduces the tax burden on operators and may encourage wider commercial deployment. The state itself does not offer broad tax credits or rebates for installing commercial chargers; instead, businesses rely on federal incentives and utility rebate programs. Overall, Florida’s approach emphasizes a uniform regulatory framework, gradual tax relief, and alignment with federal and utility programs, supporting commercial EV charging growth while maintaining statewide consistency.