Sunprint
The short answer
At about 15.6 cents per kWh, a $300 monthly bill needs roughly 11 to 15 kW of solar and a $400 bill needs roughly 15 to 20 kW. Tampa Electric credits the solar power you send to the grid at your retail energy rate.
Two things stand out at TECO. Its storm surcharge ended in August 2026, so bills are lower than they were earlier this year. And TECO's connection steps come after your system is installed, which is the opposite order from FPL.
What Tampa Electric charges
Here is TECO's standard residential rate (RS) from its January 2026 rate insert, without the storm surcharge that ended in August 2026. Add the columns to see what each kWh costs before taxes and fees.
| Charge, cents per kWh | Up to 1,000 kWh | Over 1,000 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Energy charge | 9.569 | 10.569 |
| Fuel charge | 3.210 | 4.210 |
| Storm protection charge | 0.717 | 0.717 |
| Clean energy transition mechanism | 0.406 | 0.406 |
| Total per kWh | about 13.90 | about 15.90 |
On top of that there is a daily basic service charge, about 45 cents a day. The energy charge already includes conservation, environmental and capacity costs of about 0.6 cents per kWh. Taxes, city and state charges and franchise fees are extra.
TECO's own figure for a typical customer is $156.43 per 1,000 kWh, which is 15.64 cents per kWh. If your bill runs well above that, our guide to why TECO bills run high walks through the price step and the daily charge.
How TECO's bills have changed
- January 2026: a rate increase of about $8.88 for a typical 1,000 kWh bill, from a base rate decision the Florida Public Service Commission approved in December 2024, plus a fuel charge adjustment.
- August 2026: the temporary storm recovery charge, which had appeared on bills since March 2025, ended. That cut a typical bill by $19.95 per 1,000 kWh.
- January 2027: TECO has asked for another reduction because of lower projected fuel costs. It still needs regulatory approval.
In our data the average TECO residential rate rose about 11 percent a year from 2020 to 2025, boosted by the natural gas price spike and storm charges, which is why we cap long-range assumptions and treat them as estimates and not promises.
What a monthly TECO bill needs
System sizes use about 15.6 cents per kWh, in line with TECO's current typical bill. The bill is treated as a typical month, and the system is sized to offset 75 to 95 percent of a year's use. Savings and the bill left over use TECO's January 2026 residential rate: the 45-cent daily basic service charge, and 2 cents more per kWh past 1,000 kWh, which are the kWh solar takes off first.
| Monthly bill | System size | Savings a year | Bill left each month |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 a month | 7.5 to 9.5 kW | $1,690 to $2,130 | $23 to $59 |
| $300 a month | 11.5 to 14.6 kW | $2,630 to $3,280 | $27 to $81 |
| $400 a month | 15.5 to 19.6 kW | $3,570 to $4,420 | $31 to $102 |
| $500 a month | 19.5 to 24.6 kW | $4,510 to $5,570 | $36 to $124 |
Treat these as ballpark figures, not a quote; bills are before taxes and fees. To compare the same bill across utilities, use our bill-size guide.
How TECO credits solar power
- After a certified installation, TECO interconnects your system and installs a bidirectional net meter.
- Extra electricity your system sends to the grid earns a credit based on your current retail energy rate.
- Your monthly statement includes a Total Used column with kWh Delivered, the electricity TECO sent you, and kWh Received, the electricity TECO received from your system.
- Florida Public Service Commission Rule 25-6.065 governs net metering for investor-owned utilities like TECO. Rules can change, so check TECO's site before you sign anything.
How to connect solar to Tampa Electric
TECO's process runs in the opposite order from FPL's. Its steps start once your system is installed:
- Read TECO's Electrical Standards and agree to them during the application. Your application cannot be submitted without that.
- Download and complete the interconnection agreement that matches your system's rating. TECO measures this rating in AC, and Tier 1 covers systems of 10 kW or less.
- Submit the net metering application with any documents required for your system size.
- TECO reviews it and inspects the system, including a check for an acceptable disconnect switch. Approval can take up to 30 calendar days from a completed application.
Ask your installer whether they handle the application and how they schedule TECO's inspection.
Same steps, opposite order
At TECO, approval can take up to 30 calendar days from a completed application.
Rebates and tax credits
The federal residential solar credit expired at the end of 2025. Our Florida incentives guide lists what you can still use across the state.
Which utility do I have?
Your bill names your utility. Tampa Electric serves the Tampa area, and Duke Energy Florida and Florida Power & Light serve nearby areas with different rates and rules. Read our Duke guide or FPL guide if that is you, or compare every utility we cover at solar by utility.
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
No site visit, no commitment and no sales call needed to see your number. Your utility is already selected.
Common questions
How much solar do I need with Tampa Electric?
At about 15.6 cents per kWh, a $300 bill needs roughly 11 to 15 kW and a $400 bill roughly 15 to 20 kW, before your roof and usage change the picture.
Is solar worth it with Tampa Electric?
It can be for homes with higher bills. Tampa Electric's typical 1,000 kWh bill is now $156.43 after the storm surcharge ended in August 2026, and TECO offers net metering that credits the extra power you send to the grid. Its steps start after installation, so confirm the details before you sign. Compare our estimate of your yearly savings with each quote, since the federal tax credit ended on December 31, 2025.
Did Tampa Electric bills go down in 2026?
Yes. Tampa Electric's temporary storm recovery charge ended in August 2026, which lowered residential bills by $19.95 per 1,000 kWh, or 11 to 12 percent depending on usage. TECO says a typical customer now pays $156.43 per 1,000 kWh, or 15.64 cents per kWh.
Will Tampa Electric rates change in 2027?
In September 2026 Tampa Electric asked the Florida Public Service Commission for another bill reduction beginning in January 2027, because of lower projected fuel costs. It still needs approval.
How does Tampa Electric credit solar power?
After a certified installation, TECO interconnects your system and installs a bidirectional net meter. Extra power your system sends to the grid earns a credit based on your current retail energy rate. Your monthly statement shows kWh Delivered and kWh Received.
When do I apply for Tampa Electric net metering?
TECO's steps start once your system is installed. You complete a net metering application and an interconnection agreement, and approval can take up to 30 calendar days from a completed application. It also depends on a successful TECO inspection that verifies an acceptable disconnect switch.
How is system size measured for Tampa Electric?
TECO says the rating is measured in AC. Systems of 10 kW or less use the Tier 1 interconnection agreement, and larger systems use the agreement that matches their rating.
Will I still pay a fixed charge to Tampa Electric with solar?
Yes. Tampa Electric's residential rate includes a daily basic service charge, and taxes and fees are extra, so even a system that covers most of your use will not take the bill to zero.
Does solar keep my power on during a Tampa Electric outage?
No, not on its own. If Tampa Electric's grid goes down, a grid-tied system stops producing by design to protect line workers. A home stays powered through an outage only if it also has a battery and a backup-capable inverter.
How much electricity will a solar system make in Florida?
A common rule of thumb in Florida is about 1,450 kWh per kW each year, so 10 kW of panels makes around 14,500 kWh. See our output guide for 15 and 20 kW too.
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 Tampa Bay
- Florida net metering explained: why credits vary so much
- How to check a solar company in Florida
Sources: TECO residential rate insert, January 2026 (PDF) · TECO rates page · TECO: connecting your solar · TECO: steps to connect. TECO's insert prints the basic service charge as 0.45 cents per day. Its stated $156.43 per 1,000 kWh only works if that is 45 cents a day, so we describe it that way.
Next stepSee your solar savings with TECO already selected →