Rebates and Incentives That Still Matter for Florida Builders and Developers

At 15 lightyears, we work alongside builders, developers, and commercial property owners every day – and one of the most consistent conversations we have is about money left unclaimed. While some federal incentive deadlines have recently passed, there are still meaningful rebate programs, certifications, and local utility incentives actively available to Florida builders right now.

This month, we’re spotlighting the programs that remain open – with a focus on water efficiency, energy performance, and Florida-specific opportunities that many builders overlook.

Florida Water Star: The Local Certification Built for Florida Builders

Florida Water Star is one of the most relevant and underutilized certifications available to residential builders and developers in our state. Administered through local water management districts and utilities, it is a voluntary certification program that recognizes new homes and developments built to high water efficiency standards.

Unlike national programs that apply a one-size-fits-all approach, Florida Water Star is specifically designed around Florida’s climate, landscaping norms, and water management priorities. Certified homes must meet rigorous standards across four categories: indoor plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems, Florida-friendly landscaping, and home construction practices that reduce stormwater runoff.

Why it matters for builders: Several Florida water utilities offer direct rebates and incentives for homes that earn the Florida Water Star label. In addition, the certification is increasingly recognized as a differentiator in the new home market, where buyers are paying attention to long-term operating costs. For builders working in areas served by the St. Johns River Water Management District or Southwest Florida Water Management District, certification can also support relationships with municipalities focused on sustainable growth.

15 lightyears is a certified Florida Water Star Certifying Agent – one of a limited number of organizations in the state authorized to perform the inspections and documentation required to earn the label. If your projects are in Florida, this is a program worth incorporating into your standard build process.

WaterSense: National Water Efficiency With Local Rebate Opportunities

Alongside Florida Water Star, the EPA’s WaterSense program remains fully active and open to builders across the country. WaterSense-labeled homes are designed to use at least 30% less water than a conventionally built home, and can save a family of four up to 50,000 gallons per year – translating to as much as $600 annually in combined water and energy savings.

For builders, earning the WaterSense label requires meeting specifications for indoor plumbing fixtures, outdoor irrigation systems, and efficient hot water delivery. Certification is conducted by RESNET-approved HERSH2O providers and requires third-party inspection.

While WaterSense itself does not issue rebates directly, many local water utilities across Florida offer rebates for WaterSense-labeled products and homes. Use the WaterSense Rebate Finder to search programs currently available in your service area.

ENERGY STAR New Construction: Still Active, Still Unlocking Utility Incentives

ENERGY STAR new construction certification remains one of the most broadly recognized and incentivized green building programs available today. Importantly, it is not tied to the federal tax credit deadlines that recently passed – the certification program itself is ongoing, and many utility and state-level rebates continue to use ENERGY STAR as their qualifying standard.

Duke Energy Florida offers $500 per individually metered unit for multifamily builders whose projects achieve ENERGY STAR certification. For a 100-unit development, that is $50,000 in utility incentives available through a program that remains active right now.

ENERGY STAR certification requires third-party verification from a HERS rater, confirming that the home meets performance thresholds for insulation, air sealing, HVAC efficiency, and windows. 15 lightyears is certified to perform HERS ratings and energy verification testing – making us a direct partner in helping your projects qualify and get documented correctly.

Florida-Specific Incentives Worth Building Into Your Project Economics

Beyond certification programs, Florida offers several ongoing state-level incentives with no current expiration:

Sales Tax Exemption on Solar Equipment: Solar panels, inverters, batteries, racking systems, and related components are exempt from Florida sales tax at the point of purchase. Equipment must be certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center. This is a permanent exemption with no announced sunset.

Property Tax Exemption for Solar: Solar energy systems are excluded from property assessments that would otherwise increase a home’s taxable value. This is a meaningful selling point for buyers – they gain the benefits of solar without a higher tax bill.

PACE Financing: Florida’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy program allows property owners to finance renewable energy and efficiency upgrades through their property tax bill. Repayments run with the property, not the owner – a detail worth communicating clearly to buyers and developers evaluating this option.

Local Utility Rebates: Several Florida utilities offer battery storage and solar incentives that builders can incorporate into project economics or pass on to buyers. OUC offers up to $2,000 for qualifying battery storage installations. JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) offers up to $4,000 for qualifying batteries. Use DSIRE to search current incentives by zip code – it is the most comprehensive and up-to-date database available.

A Note on 45L and 179D

The federal Section 45L tax credit for new energy-efficient homes and the Section 179D commercial building deduction both reached their construction-start deadlines at the end of June 2026. If you have projects that were underway before that date, it is worth speaking with a qualified tax professional to determine whether those projects may still qualify based on their timeline and certification status.

For new projects starting now, the focus shifts to the local and utility-based programs outlined above – many of which are just as impactful at the project level and carry no current expiration.

The Bottom Line: There Are Still Dollars on the Table

Federal deadlines may have shifted the landscape, but Florida builders and developers still have access to a meaningful set of active incentives – from Florida Water Star and WaterSense certifications, to utility rebates for ENERGY STAR multifamily projects, to permanent state-level solar exemptions.

The key, as always, is knowing which programs apply to your project type and making sure the right testing and certification documentation is in place to claim them.

Equally important: many of these incentives require third-party certification and documentation. You can’t claim them retroactively without the right paperwork. Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to explore additional product-level incentives available in your service area.

15 lightyears specializes in the energy testing, HERS ratings, Florida Water Star certification, and performance verification that sit at the center of these programs. We work with builders and developers to make sure that every project that qualifies, actually gets certified – and that every dollar of available incentive is documented and claimed.

If you’re planning a residential development, multifamily project, or commercial build, reach out to our team today.

15 lightyears is a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Longwood, Florida, specializing in commercial solar, energy performance testing, HERS ratings, Florida Water Star certification, and corporate sustainability. For questions about how current incentives apply to your project, contact us at [your contact info].

Note: Rebate and incentive information reflects program guidelines as of July 2026. We recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions based on any incentive program.