Florida Panhandle Energy Guide: Solar, Batteries, Backup, EV

In short: Pensacola runs on FPL, the former Gulf Power, while Tallahassee has its own city utility plus Talquin Electric and Duke Energy around it. The differences matter: Tallahassee’s net metering credits don’t carry into the next year, and Talquin members lost about 42 hours of power in 2024, mostly on storm days.

This page covers what is specific to the Panhandle. For statewide rules such as net metering law, tax breaks and contractor licensing, see our Florida energy guide.

Panhandle at a glance

• Utilities in Escambia County (Pensacola): Florida Power & Light (FPL Northwest Florida, formerly Gulf Power) and Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EIA-861, 2024).
• Utilities in Leon County (Tallahassee): City of Tallahassee Utilities (about 120,000 customers), Talquin Electric Cooperative and Duke Energy Florida.
• Home electricity price (2024 average, EIA-861): FPL about 13.7¢ per kWh (company-wide), City of Tallahassee 13.6¢, Talquin 14.9¢, Escambia River Electric 15.3¢, Duke Energy Florida 16.6¢.
• Outage minutes per customer (2024): FPL about 702 with major storms and 46 without (company-wide); City of Tallahassee about 149 with storms; Talquin about 2,517 with storms and 236 without; Duke Energy Florida about 2,500 and 84 (EIA-861).
• Sunshine: about 4.9 kWh per square meter per day in Pensacola and 4.8 in Tallahassee (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,430 and 1,400 kWh a year per kW of panels.
• Top hazards: Escambia County is rated “very high” for hurricanes and lightning and “relatively high” for cold waves; Leon County is “very high” for cold waves and “relatively high” for tornadoes, strong wind and hurricanes (FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025).
• Public charging: 114 public ports in Pensacola and 163 in Tallahassee, 80 of them DC fast (AFDC Station Locator, October 3, 2026).

Your utility and what it means

FPL Northwest Florida (Pensacola)

Gulf Power became part of FPL, and since 2022 Northwest Florida has been on FPL’s rates plus a “transition rider” that covers the difference in the cost of serving the two areas. FPL says the rider declines to zero over five years, with rates fully aligned by January 1, 2027. EIA reports FPL as one company, so the price and outage numbers above are company-wide averages, not Pensacola figures.

FPL’s net metering follows the state rule: exported kWh are credited one-for-one during the year, and any year-end surplus is paid at a lower as-available rate (FPL net metering). FPL’s EVolution Home charger program, which its page says is also offered in Northwest Florida, rents a Level 2 charger with installation over a 10-year agreement for $36 a month, or $27 equipment-only, plus energy. Homes on net metering or a time-of-use rate can’t join. Check the program page, since prices change.

City of Tallahassee Utilities

The city runs its own net metering, free to join for any city electric customer, for systems up to 100 kW. Credits are worth the full retail value, including taxes, and roll from month to month, but not from one year to the next, so a system much bigger than your yearly use gives away power. You sign a PV interconnect agreement, and the system must pass design and inspection requirements (city net metering page).

The city also offers energy-efficiency loans billed on the utility bill: 5% interest, no down payment, up to $15,000 for most items and $20,000 for solar panels, over 7 years (10 for solar). Eligible items include solar panels, EV charging stations and natural gas generators. You must own the home, have city electric and gas service and six months of account history, and solar needs a free energy audit first. Check the page for current terms.

Talquin, Escambia River Electric and Duke Energy Florida

Talquin and Escambia River Electric are co-ops serving the areas around the cities; each has its own net metering agreement and rules, so ask the co-op before you sign. About 1,000 Talquin homes had net-metered solar in 2024 (EIA-861). Duke Energy Florida, which serves part of Leon County, follows the state rule. We have not reviewed these utilities’ battery or EV programs for this page.

Backup power in the Panhandle

Outage risk depends a lot on where you live. Inside Tallahassee, the city utility reported about 149 minutes per customer for all of 2024. Just outside it, Talquin members averaged about 2,517 minutes, roughly 42 hours, with about 236 of those on ordinary days; FPL notes that the Big Bend was hit by Idalia in 2023 and by Debby and Helene in 2024. Tallahassee and Leon County also had tornadoes and straight-line winds on May 10, 2024, after which FEMA disaster assistance was offered. Pensacola sits in Escambia County’s “very high” hurricane zone.

For rural homes on a well, a standby or portable generator that can run the well pump is often the first priority. In town, solar with a battery or a portable power station can cover the shorter outages. Compare options in our backup power guide, use the generator sizing tool and read about generator installation. Run a portable generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house with exhaust pointed away (CPSC). The Panhandle also gets real cold snaps, so if you heat with a heat pump, size backup for winter mornings too.

Solar in the Panhandle

NASA’s long-term figures are about 4.9 kWh per square meter per day in Pensacola and 4.8 in Tallahassee, strong in June (above 6) and weak in December (under 3). Our rough estimate is about 1,430 and 1,400 kWh a year per kW. A 6 kW system would make roughly 8,600 kWh in Pensacola and 8,400 in Tallahassee, worth about $1,180 and $1,140 a year at 2024 average prices, if every kWh replaces one you would have bought. With the City of Tallahassee, size to your yearly use, because credits don’t carry over. Estimate your roof with the solar potential tool, read how solar installation works and check what solar costs.

Batteries

A battery here is mostly about outages. With solar it can keep the fridge, lights, fans, internet and a medical device running and recharge the next sunny day. We found no utility battery rebate in Pensacola or Tallahassee. See home batteries, the battery backup calculator and battery installation.

EV charging

Tallahassee had 163 public ports (83 Level 2, 80 DC fast) and Pensacola 114 (81 Level 2, 33 DC fast) on October 3, 2026 (AFDC). At home, at about 30 kWh per 100 miles, charging costs roughly $4.10 per 100 miles at the 2024 average FPL or City of Tallahassee price (our estimate). City of Tallahassee customers can finance a charger through the city loan. Try the EV charging cost calculator and see EV charger installation.

Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Pensacola: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Permits and inspections

• Tallahassee: the Growth Management Department issues permits through its online portal. Its electrical permit application lists photovoltaic systems, generator connections and vehicle charging stations.
• Unincorporated Leon County: Building Plans Review and Inspection, applications through the county’s online portal.
• Pensacola: the city’s Building Inspections Division handles permits inside city limits.
• Unincorporated Escambia County: Building Services, with online permits through MyGovernmentOnline.

Wiring for solar, batteries, transfer switches and EV chargers is work for a licensed electrician or solar contractor; gas lines for a standby generator need a licensed gas contractor. HOAs: under Florida Statute 163.04 an association can’t ban solar panels, though it may pick the roof location within 45 degrees of south if output isn’t impaired.

Cities we cover

• Pensacola
• Tallahassee

Get help

Pensacola area:

Tallahassee area:

Tell us about your project and we will connect you with a licensed, independent installer who serves the Panhandle area. It is free, there is no obligation, and only the installer you choose gets your details. See how it works.

Panhandle energy questions

Is Gulf Power still a separate company?

No. Gulf Power is now part of Florida Power & Light, and Northwest Florida customers are billed as FPL. Their bills carry a transition rider that FPL says declines to zero, with rates fully aligned with the rest of FPL by January 1, 2027.

How does net metering work with the City of Tallahassee?

It is free to join for city electric customers with systems up to 100 kW. Exported power earns credits at the full retail value, including taxes, which carry from month to month but not into the next year. Size your system to your yearly use, and sign the city’s PV interconnect agreement before switching on.

Can I finance solar or an EV charger through the City of Tallahassee?

Yes, if you own the home and have city electric and gas service. The city’s energy-efficiency loans charge 5% with no down payment, are repaid on the utility bill and cover solar panels (up to $20,000 over 10 years), EV charging stations and natural gas generators. Solar requires a free home energy audit first. Check the city’s page for current terms.

Do outages last longer outside Tallahassee?

In 2024 they did, by a wide margin. Talquin members averaged about 2,517 minutes without power counting major storms, against about 149 for City of Tallahassee customers. The two utilities report in different ways, so compare them loosely, but homes on co-op lines around the city should plan for longer outages.

Sources

EIA-861 2024 (service territory, sales, reliability and net metering files); NASA POWER climatology (2001 to 2020); FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); AFDC Station Locator (October 3, 2026); FPL Northwest Florida bill explanation, FPL net metering and EVolution Home pages, FPL newsroom (November 27, 2024); City of Tallahassee net metering, loan and Growth Management pages and news (June 20, 2024); Leon County, City of Pensacola and Escambia County building pages; Florida Statute 163.04; CPSC. Checked October 3, 2026.