Solar

Residential solar panel installation coordinated with licensed subcontractors, including roof structural review and electrical interconnection.

Overview

Solar done right the first time

Florida sun makes solar practical, but a solar array is only as reliable as the roof it sits on and the electrical interconnection behind it. Brothers Remodelers coordinates residential solar installation under one Florida Certified General Contractor license, reviewing the roof structure, sequencing any needed roof or electrical work, and bringing in licensed subcontractors so the system is permitted, safe and tied in correctly.

At a glance

Typical timeline: Active installation is usually a few days; permitting, utility interconnection and inspection extend the timeline.
Permits required: Building and electrical permits, plus a utility interconnection agreement.
Main cost drivers: System size, roof condition, panel and inverter type, battery backup, panel upgrade, interconnection.
Warranty: Two-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer coverage on installed products.

What is included

Roof condition and structural review
Solar panel and inverter system design
Roof mounting and weatherproof flashing
Electrical interconnection by licensed subcontractors
Permit and utility interconnection coordination
System commissioning and monitoring setup

Service options & benefits

Roof-mounted solar: The most common residential setup. Panels are mounted to the existing roof with flashed attachments that keep water out for the life of the array.
Roof replacement with solar: If the roof is near the end of its life, replacing it before the array goes up avoids removing and reinstalling panels later. We sequence both under one contract.
Inverter options: String inverters, microinverters and optimizers each suit different roof layouts and shading conditions; the right choice affects output and monitoring.
Battery backup: Battery storage can keep critical loads running during a Florida power outage. We coordinate battery sizing and electrical work where requested.

Our solar process

Step 01
Site assessment & estimate
We assess roof condition, orientation and shading, review the structural capacity, and return a proposal for the array and any needed roof or electrical work.
Step 02
Permits & utility coordination
We file the building and electrical permits and coordinate the utility interconnection agreement before installation.
Step 03
Roof prep & mounting
If the roof needs replacement, that happens first. Mounting attachments are installed and flashed to keep water out.
Step 04
Panel & electrical install
Panels and inverters are installed, and licensed electrical subcontractors handle the interconnection and any panel upgrade.
Step 05
Inspection & commissioning
Final inspections are scheduled, the utility approves interconnection, and the system is commissioned and monitored.

Florida considerations

Building in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region comes with conditions that affect scope, cost and permitting. These are the issues that most often affect solar projects here.

Roof condition first

A solar array lasts decades, so it should sit on a roof with comparable remaining life. We inspect the roof before installing and recommend replacement first when warranted.

Wind loads

Florida Building Code governs how panels and mounting are attached to resist wind uplift. The attachment and flashing must be engineered for your wind zone.

Utility interconnection

Grid-tied solar requires a utility interconnection agreement and a permitted electrical inspection. We coordinate both so the system can be energized.

What affects the cost of solar

Every estimate is built from the same line items. Knowing what drives them helps you compare bids fairly and decide where to invest.

System size (kW): Cost scales with the size of the array in kilowatts, which is driven by your usage, roof orientation and available surface area. We size the system to the load and the roof, not to a sales target.
Roof condition and replacement: A solar array lasts decades, so it should sit on a roof with comparable remaining life. If the roof is near end of life, replacing it first avoids removing and reinstalling the array later.
Panel and inverter type: Panel efficiency, brand and the inverter strategy — string inverters, microinverters or optimizers — all affect cost and output. The right choice depends on roof layout and shading.
Battery backup: Battery storage keeps critical loads running during a Florida power outage. Batteries add meaningful cost and require coordinated electrical work, sized to the loads you want to back up.
Electrical panel upgrade: If the existing electrical panel cannot accept the interconnection, an upgrade is required. We coordinate that work with licensed electrical subcontractors and price it up front.
Permits and utility interconnection: Grid-tied solar requires building and electrical permits and a utility interconnection agreement. We handle the filings and coordinate the utility so the system can be energized.

After a walkthrough and scope conversation, we return a written line-item proposal — usually within five business days. Allowances for owner-selected finishes are stated plainly, and payments follow completed milestones. See how owners fund projects on our financing page.

Permits and inspections

Solar work in Florida is governed by the Florida Building Code. If you live inside city limits — Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Bradenton — the permit runs through the city’s building department. In unincorporated areas it goes through the county. Each department sets its own review times and inspection windows, which is why we file early and order long-lead materials during pre-construction.

We schedule every required inspection and keep the records in your closeout package, alongside sign-offs and warranty documents. Read more about our licensing, insurance and site safety standards.

How to choose a solar contractor

The contractor you hire matters more than any single finish. Before signing, confirm the following:

Verify the license. A Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC) number can be confirmed through the state DBPR online license check. Ours is CGC1535875.
Ask for certificates of insurance. General liability and workers' compensation should be sent directly to your HOA, lender or landlord — not handed over as a photocopy.
Require a line-item proposal. Fixed pricing with stated allowances lets you compare bids on equal terms and exposes where money is hidden in a single lump sum.
Confirm who supervises the site. A dedicated superintendent on site — not a project manager juggling ten jobs by phone — is what keeps a project on schedule.
Get the warranty in writing. Workmanship coverage and manufacturer warranties should be documented in a closeout package at handover, not promised verbally.

See completed work in our project gallery, or read what other owners say on our reviews page.

Why homeowners hire Brothers Remodelers

Licensed & insured

FL CGC Lic. #CGC1535875 · Fully licensed & insured. Certificates issued to your HOA or lender on request.

Roof-first approach

Roof structure inspected before the array goes up, so the system performs for its full life.

On-schedule builds

A live schedule and weekly photo updates from a dedicated site superintendent.

Two-year warranty

Workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties, documented at closeout.

Cities we serve

We provide solar for homeowners and property owners across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region. Select a county below to see the communities we serve, or browse the full Areas We Serve page.

Hillsborough County Pinellas County Pasco County Sarasota County Manatee County

Related services

Roofing Roof Insulation HVAC General Contracting

Questions we get asked

Do you install the solar panels yourselves?

Solar installation is coordinated under our general contractor license with licensed subcontractors for the electrical interconnection and any roof work, so the whole project is permitted and sequenced correctly.

Do I need a permit for solar panels in Florida?

Yes, solar installation requires building and electrical permits and a utility interconnection agreement. We handle the filings and coordinate the utility.

Should I replace my roof before adding solar?

If the roof is near the end of its useful life, yes — replacing it first avoids removing and reinstalling the array later. We inspect the roof and advise you at the estimate.

Will solar eliminate my electric bill?

Solar can reduce your electric bill, but the actual savings depend on system size, roof orientation, shading, utility rate structure and your usage. We do not guarantee specific savings.

Can I add battery backup?

Yes. Battery storage can keep critical loads running during an outage. We coordinate battery sizing and the required electrical work.

How long does solar installation take?

Active installation is usually a few days, but permitting, utility interconnection and inspection can extend the overall timeline. We give you a written schedule.

Plan your solar project

Ready to move forward? The fastest path is a free site walkthrough — we measure, confirm scope and return a written line-item proposal within five business days. Request a free quote or contact our office directly.

Where we work

We provide solar across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, Sarasota and Bradenton. See the full list on our areas we serve page.

Get an Estimate

Request a free, no-obligation line-item proposal for your solar project within five business days.