Sunprint
The short answer
Lakeland Electric handles solar differently from most Florida utilities. Residential solar customers go on its Solar Price Plan, which pairs a low energy rate with a demand charge based on your single highest peak-time use. So when you use power matters as much as how much you use.
At about 11.7 cents per kWh, a $300 monthly bill needs roughly 15 to 19 kW of solar to cover most of your use, and a $400 bill needs roughly 21 to 26 kW. Lakeland's rates are among the lower ones we cover, so the same bill needs a larger system than at FPL or Duke.
How the Solar Price Plan works
Lakeland describes the plan as two parts:
| Part | What Lakeland lists |
|---|---|
| Demand charge | $5.77 per kilowatt, based on your single highest use during peak times in a billing period |
| Energy rate | $0.02674 per kWh for all your energy, regardless of when it is used, including energy and smart grid charges |
Lakeland's example: if your highest use during a peak period is 5 kilowatts, the demand charge is $28.85. Lakeland says the energy rate is less than half of what you would pay on the standard plan. Fuel charges, taxes and the customer charge are on top, so see Lakeland's residential rate sheet for the full picture.
Peak hours
- Winter, November through March: on-peak is 6:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on weekdays.
- Summer, April through October: on-peak is 1:01 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays.
- Weekends and major holidays are excluded from peak times.
Avoid running your HVAC, electric oven and clothes dryer at the same time during peak hours.
Lakeland says the way to lower the demand charge is to avoid running large appliances at the same time during peak hours. It points to HVAC units, electric ovens and clothes dryers as the biggest demands. In summer the peak runs through the late afternoon and early evening, after solar output has started to fall, which is where an energy storage system could matter. Lakeland's agreement covers a photovoltaic generator and, if you add one, an energy storage system.
Lakeland's peak hours, weekdays only
Winter peak is 6:01 to 10:00 a.m. Summer peak is 1:01 to 8:00 p.m. Weekends and major holidays are excluded.
Net metering at Lakeland
Lakeland describes net metering as metering the energy from your generator separately from the energy delivered to you, and crediting it back at the full retail rate. You are charged for the kWh received from Lakeland each month and credited for the kWh you send to it. Lakeland offers net metering to residential customers with PV systems up to 10 kW, and to commercial customers up to 500 kW.
Lakeland's tariff also says residential customers with solar systems interconnected with Lakeland receive a Value of Solar Credit, which is built into the solar demand charge on its rate sheet. Because the plan and the credit interact, ask Lakeland at SolarRates@lakelandelectric.com how power you send to the grid is credited in your case before you size a system, especially above 10 kW.
What a monthly Lakeland bill needs
System sizes use 11.7 cents per kWh and cover 75 to 95 percent of yearly use. Savings and the bill left over use the PSC's December 2025 figures for Lakeland's standard residential rate, including its $14.45 customer charge.
| Monthly bill | System size | Savings a year | Bill left each month |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 a month | 10.0 to 12.7 kW | $1,690 to $2,120 | $23 to $59 |
| $300 a month | 15.3 to 19.4 kW | $2,610 to $3,260 | $28 to $83 |
| $400 a month | 20.6 to 26.1 kW | $3,530 to $4,410 | $33 to $106 |
| $500 a month | 25.9 to 32.8 kW | $4,440 to $5,550 | $37 to $130 |
Treat these as planning figures, not a quote; bills are before taxes and local fees. Every size in this table reaches or passes the 10 kW Lakeland allows for residential net metering, so ask Lakeland how power sent to the grid would be credited at that size, and remember the Solar Price Plan's demand charge depends on when you use power.
How to connect solar to Lakeland Electric
- Talk to Lakeland's energy analysts before you decide. They can review your energy footprint, and you can call (863) 834-9535 on weekdays.
- Review, sign and follow the parallel connection agreement for a photovoltaic generator and, if you have one, an energy storage system, up to 2 MW.
- Choose a licensed solar contractor. Lakeland warns you to avoid any contractor who is not willing to help you comply with the agreement.
- Lakeland reviews the equipment to make sure it meets the specifications, codes and UL listings.
Rebates and tax credits
Homeowners lost the 30 percent federal tax credit after December 31, 2025. See our Florida incentives guide for what remains.
Which utility do I have?
Your bill names your utility. Lakeland Electric publishes a service area map on its site, and nearby areas may be on Duke Energy Florida, TECO or a cooperative. Compare every utility we cover at solar by utility, or read our OUC guide, another municipal utility with its own solar rules.
Your estimate in three steps
- Enter your billYour ZIP, utility and last month's bill.
- See your estimateA yearly savings range for your home.
- Choose what's nextAsk for a quote call, or just keep the number.
See what solar could save you
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Common questions
How much solar do I need with Lakeland Electric?
At about 11.7 cents per kWh, a $300 monthly bill needs roughly 15 to 19 kW of solar and a $400 bill needs roughly 21 to 26 kW. Lakeland's rates are lower than most of Florida, so the same bill needs a bigger system. What it saves also depends on when you use power.
Is solar worth it with Lakeland Electric?
It depends on when you use power. Lakeland Electric puts solar homes on a plan with a low energy rate plus a $5.77 per kW charge based on your highest peak-time use, so moving big appliances out of peak hours helps. Ask Lakeland how exports are credited in your case, then compare our estimate with each quote. The federal tax credit ended on December 31, 2025.
What is Lakeland Electric's Solar Price Plan?
It is the price plan for residential customers who produce some of their own power with rooftop solar. It combines a demand charge during a peak period with a lower energy rate than the standard plan.
How much is the demand charge on Lakeland's Solar Price Plan?
Lakeland lists it at $5.77 per kilowatt, applied to your single highest use during peak times in a billing period. Its example: if your highest peak-time use in a month is 5 kilowatts, the demand charge is $28.85.
What is the energy rate on the Solar Price Plan?
Lakeland says all your energy for the month is billed at $0.02674 per kWh, regardless of when it is used, including energy and smart grid charges. It calls that less than half of what you would pay on the standard plan.
When are Lakeland's peak hours?
In winter, November through March, on-peak hours are 6:01 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on weekdays. In summer, April through October, they are 1:01 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays. Weekends and major holidays are excluded.
How can I keep my Lakeland demand charge low?
Avoid running big appliances at the same time during peak hours. Lakeland points to HVAC units, electric ovens and clothes dryers as the biggest demands on the grid.
How big a solar system qualifies for Lakeland net metering?
Lakeland's net metering page says it offers net metering to residential customers who install PV systems up to 10 kW, and to commercial customers up to 500 kW. Ask Lakeland what applies if your system is larger.
How do I connect solar to Lakeland Electric?
You review, sign and follow Lakeland's parallel connection agreement for a photovoltaic generator and, if you have one, an energy storage system, up to 2 MW. Choose a licensed solar contractor who will help you comply, and send questions to SolarRates@lakelandelectric.com.
Related guides
- How much solar do I need for a $300 to $700 electric bill?
- How much electricity does a 10, 15 or 20 kW solar system produce?
- Florida solar incentives: what is still available
- Solar in Central Florida
- Florida net metering explained: why credits vary so much
- How to check a solar company in Florida
Sources: Lakeland Electric solar · Lakeland residential rates (PDF) · Lakeland rate tariff (PDF) · Florida PSC comparative rate statistics, December 31, 2025 (PDF) · U.S. EIA Form 861 utility data, 2024 and 2025 early release
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