Florida just made solar installations faster and cheaper—here's what homeowners need to know

Just as Congress cut the 30% federal solar tax credit for systems installed after this year, Florida is stepping up to help homeowners save on solar in other ways. A new law that went into effect July 1st promises to slash permitting delays and cut red tape for homeowners who go solar—potentially saving thousands in soft costs.

The timing couldn't be better. With the tax credit officially ending next year after President Trump signed his “Big, Beautiful, Bill” on July 4, Florida homeowners could’ve faced a double whammy: Losing the $9,000 average federal tax credit benefit while dealing with the same old permitting headaches that have historically plagued solar installations in the state. Fortunately, HB 683 addresses at least half of that problem. 

The bipartisan construction reform bill, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 13, 2025, streamlines solar permitting in ways that could significantly reduce both installation timelines and costs for Florida homeowners—exactly when they need it most.

HB 683 tackles several pain points that have made solar installations more expensive and time-consuming than they need to be. Here's what changes for Florida homeowners:

Permits approved in five days or less

For single-trade projects like rooftop solar, local governments now have just five business days to review and approve permit applications. Miss that deadline? The permit is automatically approved and must be issued the next business day.

This is a game-changer for Florida homeowners who've experienced the frustration of permitting delays. Some local permitting boards take up to 30 days to process, review, and vote on applications. Shorter timelines mean lower overhead costs for installers—savings that typically get passed along to homeowners.

It will also help expedite the process for Florida homeowners who want to claim the solar tax credit by the end-of-year deadline.

Fewer paperwork requirements

Local governments can no longer require copies of contracts or other related documents—like cost breakdowns or letters of intent—to issue building permits. While this might seem like a minor change, it eliminates one of the biggest administrative bottlenecks in solar permitting.

Private and virtual inspections now allowed

Homeowners can now choose private inspection providers instead of waiting for the local building department. The law also allows virtual inspections, which can further speed up installation timelines and improve accessibility.

As Justin Hoysradt, co-founder of Fix My Solar, a solar maintenance company based in West Palm Beach, Florida, explained, "Private providers offer speed, safety, and cost reductions and an increased level of accountability through on-demand recorded visual and virtual inspections that will drive construction standards up and forward without the red tape typically found at city hall."

Support for automated permitting tools

HB 683 allows private providers to use automated or software-based plan review systems and code compliance. This change strengthens support for tools like SolarAPP+, a web-based tool from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that’s designed to standardize and automate residential solar permitting.

Fees reflect faster processing

Local building departments must now adjust their permitting fees to reflect changes in processing timelines and inspection methods, particularly when services are handled by private providers instead of the municipality. 

This change aims to protect homeowners from overpaying for services. The exact impact will vary by municipality, but over time, it could result in lower permitting costs as departments modernize their systems.

For the average homeowner, the federal tax credit ending after this year represents a loss of $9,000 in savings.

While HB 683 can’t replace the tax credit, it can help offset some of the financial gap by reducing what the solar industry calls soft costs—the non-hardware expenses like permitting, inspections, and administrative fees that can add thousands to a solar installation. 

Just as importantly, the law speeds up the entire solar installation process. With automatic permit approval after five days and streamlined inspections, projects that once took months can now move much faster—critical for homeowners racing to install before the end-of-year.

HB 683 was sponsored by Rep. Griff Griffitts with bipartisan support, building on an earlier solar-specific bill (HB 1071) that was shelved earlier this year. Lawmakers folded HB 1071's key provisions—including private inspections, virtual inspections, and fast-track timelines—into the broader construction reform package.

"The bill sponsors and supporters had the foresight to see Florida's future with the inclusion of solar and battery storage projects in this landmark construction legislation," said Justin Hoysradt of Fix My Solar.

And Florida isn't alone in tackling solar permitting barriers. Other states are implementing similar reforms:

• New Jersey unanimously passed the “Smart Solar Permitting” bill (SB4100) in June 2025, requiring local governments to use the state's Smart Solar Permitting Platform or similar automated tools.

• Texas passed SB 1202 in June 2025, allowing licensed third-party professionals to review and inspect residential solar and storage permits and bypass slower municipal review, effective September 1, 2025.

• Minnesota signed the Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act (HF4700) into law in May 2024, allocating $2 million for local SolarAPP+ adoption to streamline residential solar permitting.

• Colorado reopened its Automated Permit Processing for Solar (APPS) grant program in September 2024, offering $1 million in funding for jurisdictions implementing automated solar permitting platforms.

These efforts reflect a shared goal of eliminating the red tape that slows down clean energy adoption and drives up costs. Florida’s HB 683 accomplishes just that. “[It’s] great for the construction industry, great for the consumer, and great for the taxpayer,” said Hoysradt.

For Florida homeowners considering solar, the message is clear: The state is making the process of going solar smoother and more affordable. Now it’s time to act before the federal tax credit ends in 2026.