Sunprint
The short answer
Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) buys the solar power your system sends to its grid at a wholesale rate, not at the retail rate you pay. It also has an unusual rule: only the property owner can submit the interconnection agreements, not your installer.
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. OEU is part of the City of Ocala.
How OEU's solar credit works
- OEU's net metering page says excess energy sent back to the grid is purchased at a wholesale rate. The page does not list the rate.
- You are billed for the energy OEU delivers to you, and the energy your system sends in excess of your usage is credited to you as a Renewable Generation Credit.
- Power your panels make and your home uses never has to be bought from OEU, so it is worth the full retail price to you.
- OEU calculates your annual usage to check that the system is sized to match your home, and systems can be up to 2 MW.
- The interconnection agreements go to the City of Ocala and to the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA).
OEU's steps at a glance
Leased systems follow a separate OEU process.
What OEU charges
OEU's rate has a base energy charge and a power cost adjustment (PCA) that passes through fuel costs. When the city cut the PCA in March 2024, it set the base energy charge at 10.126 cents per kWh and the PCA at 2.815 cents, about 12.9 cents together before taxes and fixed charges. Those figures are from 2024, and the PCA changes, so check the city's current rate schedule. Our calculator uses OEU's average residential rate of 11.7 cents per kWh from federal EIA data.
What a monthly OEU bill needs
Sizes below assume 11.7 cents per kWh and a system meant to cover 75 to 95 percent of a year's use. Savings and the bill left over use the PSC's December 2025 figures for Ocala Electric Utility, including its $20.00 customer charge.
| Monthly bill | System size | Savings a year if you use it all at home | Bill left each month |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 a month | 10.0 to 12.7 kW | $1,620 to $2,050 | $29 to $65 |
| $300 a month | 15.4 to 19.5 kW | $2,520 to $3,190 | $34 to $90 |
| $400 a month | 20.7 to 26.2 kW | $3,420 to $4,330 | $39 to $115 |
| $500 a month | 26.0 to 32.9 kW | $4,320 to $5,470 | $44 to $140 |
These are planning numbers, not a quote, before taxes and local fees. OEU buys back what you send to the grid at a wholesale rate, so actual savings fall short of the table unless most of your output is used at home.
How to connect solar to OEU
- Email the completed Initial Solar Request Form to electricengineeringsolar@ocalafl.gov. This starts the process.
- OEU calculates the maximum system size that can be interconnected, then contacts you to schedule an in-person meeting where you sign the required agreements.
- Meet with a solar contractor. The contractor submits the engineering documents to OEU, and OEU issues an RGS Approval Letter to you.
- Get your permits from the City of Ocala or the Marion County Building Department. You need OEU's approval letter first.
- Install the system, pass inspection, and tell OEU the project is finished.
- OEU verifies the system in the field and submits the agreements to the City and FMPA. Allow 2 to 4 weeks, then OEU sends permission to operate and installs the net meter in about 2 to 5 business days.
OEU no longer accepts agreements from contractors, installers or third-party processors, so you must submit them yourself. Send all forms and questions to electricengineeringsolar@ocalafl.gov.
Community solar
Ocala Electric Utility also takes part in the Florida Municipal Solar Project, a community solar program, with a 17 MW allocation. Existing OEU customers can ask to reserve a spot. It puts no equipment on your roof and can move with you to another home in OEU's territory. See our community solar guide for how these programs are priced and what real savings look like.
Rebates and tax credits
Homeowners lost the 30 percent federal tax credit after December 31, 2025. See our incentives guide for the rest.
Which utility do I have?
Your bill names your utility. OEU serves addresses in the City of Ocala, and surrounding parts of Marion County may be served by Duke Energy Florida, SECO Energy or another utility. Compare every utility we cover at solar by utility, or read our SECO guide.
Your estimate in three steps
- Enter your billYour ZIP code, your utility and last month's bill.
- See your estimateA yearly savings range based on your utility's rates and Florida sun.
- Choose what's nextAsk for a quote call if you want real pricing, or just keep the number.
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Common questions
How much solar do I need with Ocala Electric Utility?
With OEU's average rate near 11.7 cents per kWh, plan on about 15 to 19 kW of solar for a $300 bill and about 21 to 26 kW for a $400 bill. Because OEU buys the excess at a wholesale rate, savings depend on how much you use at home.
Is solar worth it with Ocala Electric Utility?
It depends on how much of your solar power you use at home. Ocala Electric Utility buys the excess at a wholesale rate, so power you use yourself is worth more than power you export. Compare our estimate, which is a top end at OEU, with each quote. The federal tax credit ended on December 31, 2025.
What does Ocala Electric Utility pay for solar power sent to the grid?
OEU's net metering page says excess energy sent back to the grid is purchased at a wholesale rate. It does not list the rate, so ask OEU at electricengineeringsolar@ocalafl.gov for the current figure. The excess is credited to your bill as a Renewable Generation Credit.
How big a solar system can I install in Ocala?
OEU calculates the maximum size that can be interconnected and uses your annual usage to make sure the system is sized to match your home's energy use. Systems can be up to 2 MW.
How do I connect solar to Ocala Electric Utility?
Email the Initial Solar Request Form to electricengineeringsolar@ocalafl.gov. OEU calculates your maximum size and meets you to sign agreements. Your contractor then submits the engineering documents, and OEU issues an approval letter. After you get permits, install and pass inspection, OEU does a final approval and sends permission to operate.
Can my installer submit the agreements for me in Ocala?
No. OEU says it no longer accepts interconnection agreements submitted by contractors, installers or third-party processors. The property owner has to submit them directly.
Do I need OEU's approval before I get a permit?
Yes. OEU says an approval letter from OEU is required to obtain installation permits, which come from the City of Ocala or the Marion County Building Department depending on your address.
How long until my Ocala system can turn on?
After OEU's field verification, it submits the agreements to the City of Ocala and the Florida Municipal Power Agency. OEU asks you to allow 2 to 4 weeks for that, then it issues permission to operate and installs the net meter in about 2 to 5 business days.
What if I lease my solar system in Ocala?
OEU has a separate RGS Leased Process. Follow it on OEU's interconnection page instead of the owner steps.
Does Ocala Electric Utility offer community solar?
Ocala Electric Utility takes part in the Florida Municipal Solar Project and lists a 17 MW allocation. Existing OEU customers can ask to reserve a spot in its Community Solar Program, which puts no equipment on your roof.
Related guides
- How much solar do I need for a $300 to $700 electric bill?
- 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
- Solar battery backup in Florida: costs and runtime
Sources: City of Ocala: solar and net metering · City of Ocala: interconnection process · APPA on the March 2024 rate change · 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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