Rooftop solar is Florida’s best defense this hurricane season

For nearly 12 years, I’ve been helping Floridians harvest and utilize our state’s greatest natural resource: the sun. In Florida, we are known for our abundant sunshine, but we also live with the reality of hurricanes.

Every Summer, Floridians brace for the uncertainty of storm season, stocking up on supplies and hoping the power stays on when the winds pick up.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Solar energy, coupled with battery storage, offers more than just savings; it provides peace of mind, resilience, independence, and security when disaster strikes.

During a storm, when so much is out of our control, solar energy, especially rooftop systems, gives homeowners confidence that they can weather what’s coming. Solar panels are engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds up to 180 miles per hour or category 4 hurricanes. If panels are flying away, it’s because your roof is going with it! In fact, after some of the strongest storms to hit Florida, many homeowners with rooftop solar reported their roofs remained intact and their power stayed on when the grid went down due to their full home battery backup.

Carolina Blanquicet in Miami experienced this last year during a significant storm. While her neighborhood went dark, her home remained powered.

“The grid went down, but our lights stayed on, and our daily routine continued uninterrupted for days until it was restored. Having power during extreme circumstances is invaluable as we get to focus on what really matters,” Carolina shared.

Unlike generators, which rely on hard-to-find fuel in the wake of a storm, solar batteries are charged by the sun and never run out. Solar plus storage systems don’t just protect individual homes; they also ease the strain on the grid. When fewer homes are drawing power from the grid during an outage, it eases the strain on the system and helps the entire community recover faster.

Hurricane seasons have been more active and destructive in recent years, with greater damage and longer recovery times. Rather than waiting for the next disaster to strike, we can act now to protect our homes and families.

With solar costs being at a historically low point, the expiring 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and $0 down financing options available, rooftop solar is a viable solution for Floridians looking for savings and energy independence. Whether you pay cash, finance through a loan or lease, your transition to solar will still be more affordable than the increasing utility rates over time. When was the last time you looked at the numbers?

With each panel we install, we’re not just harnessing the power of the sun; we’re building a more resilient Florida, one roof at a time.

The time to prepare is before the next storm hits. Let’s embrace the sunshine, protect our homes, and lead the way in showing how clean energy can keep us safe, no matter what the weather brings.

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Juan David Payares is the Founder and CEO of PayOli Solar, a leader in transforming the renewable energy landscape with innovative solar, storage, EV charging, and microgrid solutions. He also serves as a Board member of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA).

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