What to Compare
Duke Energy Florida serves about 1.9 million customers across Central Florida including Tampa Bay. If you live in one service territory, you generally can't switch — but understanding the differences matters for solar ROI, net metering value, and what to expect after a hurricane.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Features and considerations
- FPL SolarTogether community solar program available statewide
- Aggressive smart meter and automated outage detection reduces restoration time
Limits and questions
- Service territory does not cover Tampa Bay or Central Florida
- Transmission infrastructure still being upgraded in rural South Florida counties
- Rate cases have historically faced pushback from consumer advocates
Duke Energy Florida
Features and considerations
- Serves Tampa Bay, Orlando suburbs, and Central Florida's growing residential market
- Active grid modernization investment in storm-prone Pinellas and Hillsborough counties
- Multiple payment assistance programs for low-income and elderly Florida residents
Limits and questions
- Net metering policy changes in 2023 reduced solar export credit value over time
- Central Florida customers experienced extended outages after Hurricane Ian in 2022
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Florida Power & Light (FPL) | Duke Energy Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Service Area | Confirm current Florida Power & Light (FPL) availability for your address. | Confirm current Duke Energy Florida availability for your address. |
| Customers Served | ~5.8 million | ~1.9 million |
| Avg Residential Rate (2024) | ~11.5 cents/kWh | ~12.8 cents/kWh |
| Net Metering Policy | 1:1 retail through 2029 | Reduced export credit post-2023 SB 1024 |
| Solar Programs | FPL SolarTogether | Duke Energy Progress solar programs |
| Storm Restoration Speed | Confirm the schedule and conditions with the Florida Power & Light (FPL) provider before booking. | Improving — active grid hardening |
| EV Rebates | Ask the Florida Power & Light (FPL) provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. | Ask the Duke Energy Florida provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. |
| Smart Meters | Ask the Florida Power & Light (FPL) provider to document smart meters for the exact offer. | Majority deployed |
| Parent Company | NextEra Energy | Duke Energy Corporation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose between FPL and Duke Energy Florida for my home?
Florida electric utilities operate as regulated monopolies within defined service territories. If your home is in FPL territory (South and East Florida), you are an FPL customer. If you're in Central Florida or the Tampa Bay area, Duke Energy Florida is your utility. You can verify your utility by entering your address on the Florida Public Service Commission's website at floridapsc.com. The only true 'choice' Florida homeowners have is whether to install solar and reduce dependence on grid power.
How did FPL and Duke Energy perform after major Florida hurricanes?
FPL's 'Storm Secure Underground Program' — replacing overhead lines with underground cables — has meaningfully reduced outage duration in completed neighborhoods.
Does Florida's net metering law change my solar ROI with either utility?
Florida's SB 1024 (effective 2023) changed net metering for new solar customers — instead of full retail credit, utilities now pay a reduced 'avoided cost' rate for excess solar exported to the grid. FPL and Duke both comply with this law, but FPL's avoided cost rate has historically been closer to retail than Duke's. For most Florida homeowners, this reinforces the value of battery storage (like Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery) to self-consume solar rather than export it.
Consumer resources
Use these official resources when evaluating an offer. They provide general guidance and do not establish a winner between these options.
- FTC: checking home-repair offers and written agreements — General consumer guidance; not evidence of either brand's price or performance.