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SEMINOLE, Fla. — As energy prices continue to climb, more Florida homeowners are turning to solar power as a way to reduce long-term costs and gain more control over their monthly bills.
In Seminole, homeowner Dave Henegar says his investment in solar is already delivering significant savings — and helping him plan ahead for retirement.
Five years ago, Henegar installed solar panels on his home. Before making the switch, he says his electric bill was about $4,500 a year. Today, that cost has dropped to between $500 and $900 annually.
“It was pretty much a must,” said Henegar. “Down here where the ratio of sunny days to cloudy days are so much better than anywhere else in the country. It made sense for me. And also, I was preparing for retirement and I’m just looking at knocking my monthly costs down while in retirement. And this was a great way to sort of prepay my electricity bill for the next 25 years.”
Henegar says the benefits are not just financial — they also provide a sense of stability in the face of fluctuating fuel and energy prices.
“Any fluctuation in gas seems to set everybody in an uproar around fuel prices and things like that. And I don’t need to really worry about that with my electric vehicle,” he said.
He has also expanded his use of solar-powered energy beyond his home.
“So I’ve changed all of my mowing equipment, all of my yard equipment to electric. I have an electric vehicle that my wife commutes to and from the airport every day,” he added. 
Solar power is not without drawbacks, though. One of the major impediments for many people is the cost — according to information from TECO, the average solar system in West Central Florida will cost a homeowner $32,000.
In years past, 30% of that cost could be deducted from a homeowner’s federal income taxes in the form of a Residential Clean Energy Credit. President Donald Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" ended that credit, so any system installed after Dec. 31, 2025, will not qualify.
Henegar said the long-term benefits of solar, though, outweigh any drawbacks.
“Managing my own destiny with regards to anyone that I have to buy services from, or power from,” he said. “I’ve been paying electric bills all my life and now I don’t have to anymore.”

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