As of early 2025, Florida has overtaken California in utility-scale solar capacity, signaling a realignment of investment priorities and policy dynamics.
The Sunshine State’s solar capacity has grown from 4.7 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 to over 18.6 GW in 2025, and it’s mostly due to utility-scale projects.
Flordia’s streamlined permitting process for projects under 75 megawatts (MW) and Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) dominance in new installations have accelerated deployment. In fact, FPL has accounted for 70% of Florida’s 2024 additions.
Florida’s utility-scale focus offers two advantages for investors. First, its corporate demand for clean energy, driven by tech giants and manufacturing firms, has paved the way for a stable pipeline of projects. Second, its geographic resilience to extreme weather events, compared to California’s wildfire risks, enhances long-term asset viability.
However, the state’s reliance on natural gas and lack of strong policy incentives beyond 2025 do pose risks, especially if and when federal tax credits expire.
According to AInvest, the two states’ trajectories reflect broader regional strategies. Florida’s project-driven, utility-centric model prioritizes rapid scale and cost efficiency, while California’s policy-led tactics focus on innovation and consumer adoption.
Read more here.