Solar subscription arrives in Central Florida: 3 or 5 years, no debt

Starting this month, homeowners in Central Florida (Orlando, Kissimmee and Tampa, in FPL, Duke Energy and TECO territory) can access through E-Minded a way to get solar that did not exist in the region before: a subscription. It is a fixed monthly payment for 3 or 5 years, with 30% savings guaranteed by contract on your total bill, with no loan, no debt and no lien on the property. It is not for every house. Here is who it is for and who it is not.

What is a solar subscription and how is it different?

It is a short contract where you pay a fixed amount for the energy produced by a system installed on your roof, without owning the equipment or taking on debt.

Until now, the ways to get solar in Florida were four: buy with cash, finance with a loan, or sign a 20-25 year lease or PPA. All of them involve capital, debt, or a two-decade commitment. The subscription is the fifth path. The guide on ways to get solar compared puts them side by side.

What does the contract include, concretely?

What our subscription partner puts in writing, and what we review before recommending it.

• 30% guaranteed savings on the total bill, including the minimum charge. Verified with an annual true-up and no cap: if the savings came in lower, the difference is made up.
• Design at 115% of historical consumption. That is the margin that makes the guarantee possible.
• No upfront cost, no loan, no debt and no lien on the house. It does not go through your FICO.
• Free removal at the end of the term, and the roof is warranted for 10 years after the panels come off.
• One free roof removal and reinstall per term, if you need to replace the roof during the contract.
• Transferable when you sell the house.

The savings mechanism underneath is the same net metering that FPL, Duke and TECO apply: every kWh (kilowatt-hour) the system sends to the grid is credited against your usage. The guide on how a solar subscription works walks through it month by month.

Heads up: the guaranteed 30% is on your total bill, not a discount on the price of electricity. If your bill goes up because you use more, the 30% is calculated on that new total; the guarantee covers the savings, it does not freeze your consumption. And in homes with a high bill and a good roof, a traditional purchase can save more over the long run. The subscription wins on simplicity and zero debt, not always on total dollars.

Who is it for?

The homeowner who wants to lower the bill now, without debt or a 25-year contract, and who does not have or does not want to use capital.

• You live in Orlando, Kissimmee, Tampa or nearby, with FPL, Duke or TECO.
• Your bill is high and you want fixed, verifiable savings from the first month.
• You do not want a loan or a lien on the house, or your credit does not qualify for financing.
• You plan to sell the house in the next few years and do not want a two-decade contract attached to it.

Who is it NOT for?

Homes that do not meet the partner’s technical requirements, or where another option saves more.

The partner disqualifies, and we do not push back, in these cases:

• Mobile homes, home additions and ground-mount systems.
• Tile or metal roofs, or shingle roofs with less than 4 years of useful life left.
• Heavy shade over the roof.
• Municipal utility or co-op (OUC, JEA, GRU and similar): the program operates only with FPL, Duke and TECO.
• A very low bill (under $100): 30% of a little is a little, and it does not justify the installation.
• Less than 12 months living in the property, or an active bankruptcy.
• Homes that need a battery or an electrical panel upgrade: the subscription does not include them.

And there is one case where a home qualifies but we do not recommend it: high bill, excellent roof and the ability to buy. There, a system you own, with our Minimum Bill Guarantee, usually leaves more money in your pocket over 10 years than a guaranteed 30%. We tell you that in the diagnosis, even if it means not recommending the subscription.

How do you get access?

Through the E-Minded diagnosis, same as any other option: first your home’s numbers, then the recommendation.

We review the bill, the roof, the utility and time in the property. If the subscription is the best option, we connect you with the partner and stay with you through the process. If it is not, we tell you what is.

What to check before deciding

• Confirm your utility. If it is municipal or a co-op, the subscription does not apply and other options need a look.
• Look at your average bill over the last 12 months. Under $100, the program does not qualify.
• Check your roof type and age. Tile, metal or old shingle disqualify.
• Ask what you would save with purchase or a loan over 10 years and compare it to the fixed 30%. Sometimes one wins, sometimes the other.
• If you want to know which one fits your specific home, start with the diagnosis.