Clearwater Clean Energy

solar panels in a row

Solar energy is a renewable resource provided by the sun, meaning it cannot be depleted and is constantly replenished. This makes solar energy a preferred choice, as it offers continuous availability in our sunshine state with much reduced environmental damage, as well as encouraging energy independence for resiliency. Solar energy also aligns with the city’s broader carbon reduction goals, as it is a non-carbon-emitting form of energy production. By encouraging residents and small business owners to adopt solar energy, we can proactively work toward these goals, making the city of Clearwater a greener and healthier community. 

This page features two sections – community, and municipal – where we feature ongoing programs and solutions for residents/businesses to go solar in the community as well as featuring current upcoming clean energy projects in municipal-owned buildings/facilities and how to obtain your permitting to install solar panels at your roof. 

Community

Solar Co-Op and Switch Together

The city of Clearwater has participated in Pinellas Solar Co-ops and Gulf Coast Switch Together in the past. These are group buying program supported by national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN). Programs like these offer an opportunity for residents and small businesses to go solar in a stress-free way at competitive prices, with additional products such as battery storage and EV chargers as options. 

Choosing a reliable installer can be a challenging task. Being in a group buying program supported by a nonprofit, you can feel confident that you are connected to quality products at reasonable prices. The program conducts a rigorous review of installer qualifications, ensuring participants receive a high-quality installation from a trusted installer. It also offers free educational webinars and in-person events to explain the process and benefits of going solar. Through the program, the average household is expected to save $6,941 on a high-quality solar installation.  

Switch Together is currently closed for registrations. Reach out to Solar United Neighbors’ Free Solar Helpdesk for more information.

 Duke Energy's Clean Energy Connection

Are you interested in receiving the benefits of clean, renewable solar energy but live in an apartment/home unsuitable for solar panels? There are alternative ways to support clean energy production.  

Duke Energy’s Clean Energy Connection Program is a shared solar initiative that allows residents to access clean energy produced at solar sites across Florida for their own energy use at home. To participate, residents subscribe to the program based on availability and their annual energy usage. Subscribers will incur a monthly fee of $8.35, which will be added to their energy bill in exchange for a $0.04 per kWh credit. This credit will remain at that rate for the first 36 months. After the 37th month, the credit will increase by 1.5% annually, eventually exceeding the monthly fee and delivering a positive return. The longer you remain subscribed, the more you are projected to save on your bill. According to Duke Energy’s program webpage, there are no upfront costs, cancellation fees, nor long-term commitment required. Visit Duke’s website for more details related to the Clean Energy Connection Program: Clean Energy Connection - Florida  

Florida Solar for All

Florida Solar for All (FSFA) is a statewide program that is helping Floridians lower their energy bills long-term by making solar installations more affordable and accessible for income-qualified families. It is available to Florida residents who meet certain income requirements. FSFA will serve both homeowners of single-family, owner-occupied homes and multifamily affordable housing units. Check back for more details when the program launches.

Municipal

The city of Clearwater is advancing its clean energy commitment by installing solar photo-voltaic systems on its municipal facilities as well as tapping on clean electricity through the grid.

Clearwater Solar Projects

In 2023, the city’s first solar project went live at Coachman Park. Three solar systems totaling 59.34 kW DC went on the rooftops of the Dockmaster building, the Bandshell building, as well as the Event Restroom facility. This park also features 2 modular solar and battery picnic pavilions.

 

The city has also successfully completed four new municipal solar projects in 2025, advancing our commitment to energy efficiency and resiliency. Solar arrays have been installed at the General Services/Fleet Maintenance Facility (224.06 kW), Morningside Recreation Center (179.91 kW), Clearwater Gas System Office (202.3 kW) and the Solid Waste Transfer Station (212.4 kW). 

Four more city solar projects that will be partially funded are also in the works. These projects will include solar installations on City Hall, Long Center, North Greenwood Recreation Center and Countryside Library. More details to come as the project progresses. 

These projects will contribute to long-term cost savings and cleaner energy for our community as well as reduce the city’s carbon footprint. 

Clearwater has also successfully applied for clean energy cash rebates through the IRS’s Elective Pay (or Direct Pay) program. This groundbreaking initiative, available for the first time to tax-exempt entities, allows the city to receive 30% cash back for eligible projects. The city recently received $26,083.17 from the U.S. Treasury for the solar-powered parking meters installed in 2024. This adds to $105,691.32 received for the solar and electric-vehicle chargers in Coachman Park in 2023, totaling $131,770 cash back for Clearwater’s clean energy projects. 

Building on this success, the city has already begun the pre-filing process for 2025 municipal solar projects and anticipates a significantly larger refund in the coming year. These funds will help reduce costs for taxpayers while advancing Clearwater’s commitment to sustainability and resiliency. 

Duke Clean Energy Connection

City Participation and Retirement of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

The city of Clearwater subscribed to Duke Energy’s Clean Energy Connection Program from 2022 to 2025. The city committed to obtaining partial electricity usage for selected facilities via clean energy through the program. 

Each year, Clearwater retires Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) through the Clean Energy Connection program. RECs represent the amount of clean energy produced by solar facilities as a direct result of the city's participation. These credits serve as a visual representation of the clean energy generated in place of traditional energy sourced from fossil fuels. The city has retired 1,967 RECs equivalent to 1,977 MWh in 2022, 10,534 RECs in 2023, equivalent to 10,534MWh, and 24,748 RECs in 2024, equivalent to 24,748 MWh. 

The Permitting Process

If you are interested in bringing solar energy into your home, follow these steps to begin the permit process.

Step 1: Verify That Your Property is in the city of Clearwater.
  • To verify if your property is in the city of Clearwater, visit the Pinellas County Property Appraiser website, enter the address in the Real Property box, and click search. In the search results under Parcel Summary, look under Current Tax District for Clearwater, CW, CWD, or CWDO, all of which indicate your property is located in the city of Clearwater.
Step 2: Get the project/quote from your provider/service provider to have all the information you need to complete the form.
Step 3: Know the solar permit requirements and what you need to submit.
  • One set of signed and sealed plans (wet signature required for paper submission or digital, signature with third party verification for digital submission) - Two sets are applying in person.
  • Clearing & Grubbing Form – only if ground-mounted and Land Resource review
  • Recorded Notice of Commencement (NOC) – required if project value is over $5,000 
  • Required Trades: Building, electric (if applicable), and fire (commercial projects only, three sets if applying in person) 

Your application will go through multiple reviews for Building, Electric, Planning (if ground-mounted), Engineering (if ground-mounted), Land Resource (if ground-mounted). Fees may include permit fees, plans examination fee, and state surcharge fees. The permit can be obtained by: 

  • State Licensed Electrical Contractor (EC) 
  • State Registered Electrical Contractor (C-) 
  • Certified Solar Contractor (CVC) 
  • Certified General Contractor (CGC) – must hire a licensed electrical subcontractor 
  • Certified Building Contractor (CBC) – must hire a licensed electrical subcontractor 

Step 4: You can complete and obtain your permitting in two ways.

If obtaining your permit in person, fill out the entire Building Permit Application using the link below, and then bring it to the Municipal Services Building, 2nd Floor, 100 S. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater.  

Apply Online

Questions?

If you have any questions about the permitting process, you can call us at (727) 562-4567 or email epermit@myclearwater.com

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