Solar for Florida homes with a pool

A lot. The U.S. Department of Energy cites a Florida Atlantic University study of 120 Florida pools in which a typical pool used about 3,000 kWh a year, and Building America guidance puts pool pumps at 3,000 to more than 5,000 kWh a year. At our estimated FPL rate, 3,000 kWh costs about $411 a year; on Duke Energy Florida it's about $447.

Covering that with solar takes about 2.0 kW, or 5 panels of 400 W, in Tampa Bay. See how many solar panels you need.

If it's an older single-speed pump, yes. ENERGY STAR says certified variable-speed pumps use about 60% less energy than standard single-speed pumps, and running a pump at half speed uses about one-eighth the energy. In the Florida study, a smaller pump and shorter run time cut a typical pool's use from 3,000 kWh to 720 kWh a year, a 75% drop.

Federal efficiency standards for pool pumps made since July 19, 2021 push most replacements to variable-speed models, and Florida law (s. 553.909) sets efficiency rules for residential pool pumps and heaters. Cutting the pump's use first means a smaller, cheaper solar system.

Tampa Electric's ENERGY STAR pool pump rebate, up to $350, ended on May 31, 2025.

A second federal rule now covers the pool pump motors themselves. The Department of Energy's 2023 standard for dedicated-purpose pool pump motors took effect for most full-size replacement motors, from 1.15 to 5 total horsepower, on September 29, 2025, and requires variable-speed capability. Smaller motors follow later.

In practice, a replacement pump or motor now runs at variable speed, which is the single biggest cut most pool homes can make before sizing solar.

• FPL On Call pays $1.50 a month year-round for a single-speed pool pump that can be switched off up to four hours a day, but only if you also enroll central air conditioning.
• Duke Energy Florida EnergyWise Home pays up to $30 a year for a pool pump, within up to $141 a year across all enrolled equipment.
• Tampa Electric Prime Time Plus accepts most pool pumps, though some variable-speed pumps with built-in timers may not qualify, and caps pool pump pauses at 134 hours a year.

Credits are small next to what a variable-speed pump saves. See FPL, Duke and TECO programs that pay you.

• Solar pool heating collectors circulate pool water through panels on the roof. DOE says the collector area should be 50% to 100% of the pool's surface area, and gives a Florida example of a 15-by-30-foot pool needing about 450 square feet for year-round use. Payback is typically 1 to 7 years.
• A heat pump pool heater runs on electricity, so rooftop solar can offset its power. DOE says heat pump pool heaters have a coefficient of performance of 3.0 to 7.0, meaning they deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity.
• A gas heater heats fastest but burns fuel; it suits pools heated only occasionally.

Whichever you choose, use a cover. DOE says pool covers can cut heating costs 50% to 70%, because evaporation is the biggest source of heat loss.

For household hot water, see solar water heaters in Florida.

It can, but it may not be worth it. Tesla lists pool pumps among the loads Powerwall can back up, depending on how many units you have, but large motor loads can keep a battery from running the rest of the house. Most Florida owners leave the pool pump off the backup circuit and save the battery for the refrigerator, lights and air conditioning.

See solar battery backup for hurricanes and the best home batteries for Florida.

• Upgrade to a variable-speed pump and set a shorter run time first.
• Decide how you'll heat the pool, since a heat pump adds electric use and solar thermal collectors take roof space.
• Use 12 months of bills after the pump change to size the system, so the panels match what you actually use.
• Run the pump during the day when the panels are producing; under Florida's net metering, daytime exports are credited at full retail either way.

Try your numbers in the solar savings calculator.