Summary of Delaware solar incentives 2020
Delmarva Power now offers a nice solar rebate program called a Green Energy Grant if you’re looking to install solar on your home in Delaware. There’s a cap of 6 kilowatts (about 25 panels), and that grant has a maximum value of $5,000. Even if you’re not a Delmarva customer, DEC and DEMEC offer their own similar solar rebate programs. Not too shabby!
Delaware has also carved out 3.5% of it’s ambitious state renewable energy standard to come from distributed solar generation by 2027, like panels on your rooftop. That’s a strong move.
Coupled with this requirement is an incentive which pays homeowners $32 per Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) generated by home solar panels (if your installer is savvy enough to claim them on your behalf). This works out to about $250 annually over the 20 years. Solid. Read on to learn more about how all the programs for home solar work in Delaware!
On this page, you can:
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Learn what solar incentives are available to Delaware homeowners
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See what Delaware solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
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Find out how much these incentives and/or Delaware solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
Federal solar investment tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Delaware
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% in 2021. Unless new legislation is introduced in Washington D.C., this program will be gone in 2022.
Net energy metering in Delaware
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume to make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Delaware’s net metering law is straightforward and pretty much perfect. Any net excess generation (i.e. any surplus electricity) you produce is applied to your next bill as a credit at the full retail rate.
If you run a surplus for a full 12-month period you may elect to have the electric company cut you a check for the surplus, again at the full retail rate. Note, however, that nothing in the net metering law requires you to request the check. If it’s easier for you, you can just keep the credit rolling over onto your bill indefinitely.
Delaware solar rebates
Delmarva Power, DEMEC and Delaware Electric Cooperative all offer solar rebate programs.
If you’re lucky enough to be a Delmarva Power customer, you can qualify for a Green Energy Grant to go solar. The grant pays out $600 per kilowatt (kW), up to a maximum amount of $5,000 for your home solar installation! For example, on an average sized 6kW system, you can expect a rebate of $3,600.
The DEMEC green energy program rebate pays out $1,000 per kW, up to a maximum of $3,500. You’d max out that incentive with a small-ish 3.5kW system.
The Delaware Electric Cooperative’s green energy rebate pays out $500 per kW, up to a maximum of $2,500. So, to get maximum credit, you’d need to install a 5kW system.
Solar SRECs in Delaware
Delaware has a strong RPS, mandating 25% renewable energy by 2025-2026 (compliance years run from June to May). The current minimum level of renewable energy is 11.50% of total retail electric sales. That requirement will raise by 1.5% per year through 2019-2020, and then by 1% per year through 2025-2026.Delaware’s RPS is critical to strong renewable energy policy. Utility companies aren't really all that gung-ho about you producing your own power. After all, it costs them money when you use less of their electricity. They also don’t naturally want to give you big payments for energy you're feeding back into the grid. The main reason the utilities are aiding your transition to lower electric bills and offering you incentives to put solar on your roof is because the state forces them to. If the utilities don't hit their RPS numbers, they have to pay large fees back to the state.So, instead they’re willing to pay you for your solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) that your home solar panels generate. By owning those, they can meet their RPS goals more easily and avoid alternative compliance fees.
Delaware has carved out 3.5% of it’s ambitious state renewable energy standard to come from distributed solar generation, like panels on your rooftop. That’s a strong move. Coupled with this requirement is an incentive which paid homeowners $32 per SREC generated by home solar panels last year. If that rate continues, the amount works out to about $250 annually over the 20 years. Solid.
To sign up, get quotes and talk to installers about the details.
Cost of solar panels in your part of Delaware after all applicable solar incentives
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 10.6kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Payback period
9.4-11.5 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$41,164-$50,312
Average size system installed in DE in 2020
10.6kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Delaware
7 solar companies in Delaware provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.83 147 Reviews
Latest review
Hope Johnson, over 1 month
Tim Cammer, Jonathan D'Antonio, and the installation crew went above and beyond what was necessary to give us an excellent product at an exceptional value, with excellent customer service. The product is already paying for itself with no net loss to our family's budget. They were willing to travel an exceptionally long distance to our home in Yoakum with no complaints. Jonathan D'Antonio completed difficult negotiations with the City of Yoakum so that the city fees were minimal. The installation crews installed the panels safely with no hiccups, and Jonathan D'Antonio (the operations manager) personally inspected the installation before we turned it on. I highly recommend this company.
Read more
Latest review
Hope Johnson, over 1 month
Tim Cammer, Jonathan D'Antonio, and the installation crew went above and beyond what was necessary to give us an excellent product at an exceptional value, with excellent customer service. The product is already paying for itself with no net loss to our family's budget. They were willing to travel an exceptionally long distance to our home in Yoakum with no complaints. Jonathan D'Antonio completed difficult negotiations with the City of Yoakum so that the city fees were minimal. The installation crews installed the panels safely with no hiccups, and Jonathan D'Antonio (the operations manager) personally inspected the installation before we turned it on. I highly recommend this company.
4.82 76 Reviews
Latest review
Randi, over 1 month
The Green Street representative took the time to sit down with me and explain the whole (and somewhat complicated) aspects of solar, especially the rebates and other economic programs. Their installers completed the job in only a morning and the representative was highly responsive to my questions and needs throughout the process. I now happily generating all the electricity my house needs; and more.
Read more
Latest review
Randi, over 1 month
The Green Street representative took the time to sit down with me and explain the whole (and somewhat complicated) aspects of solar, especially the rebates and other economic programs. Their installers completed the job in only a morning and the representative was highly responsive to my questions and needs throughout the process. I now happily generating all the electricity my house needs; and more.
4.79 45 Reviews
Latest review
Zach Thurston, over 1 month
Overall, I was very impressed by the level of customer support and efficiency of the installation crew. From beginning to end, I felt very involved and informed on the process. I spoke with other companies before going with KW and each one wasted my time with advertising. KW was straight forward about the cost and answered every one of my questions. Installation only took one day and the final product looks just as promised, sleek and professional. I hope that others reading this will consider KW over their competitors because companies that prioritize keeping prices low instead of passing advertising costs to the customer, deserve respect and recognition for the work that they do.
Read more
Latest review
Zach Thurston, over 1 month
Overall, I was very impressed by the level of customer support and efficiency of the installation crew. From beginning to end, I felt very involved and informed on the process. I spoke with other companies before going with KW and each one wasted my time with advertising. KW was straight forward about the cost and answered every one of my questions. Installation only took one day and the final product looks just as promised, sleek and professional. I hope that others reading this will consider KW over their competitors because companies that prioritize keeping prices low instead of passing advertising costs to the customer, deserve respect and recognition for the work that they do.
4.77 34 Reviews
Latest review
Lou Huzella, 2 weeks ago
This is my second Paradise Energy Solutions solar project over the past 3 years. I have been very satisfied with Brian's expertise in sales and Charlie, my project manager's expertise in creating solutions. The installation teams were very professional and efficent. They worked hard getting the job done, and surmounting obstacles, including antiquated electrical panels. I think it is a great long term investment, and production thus far has exceeded estimates. I am glad I went with Paradise Energy Solutions for both projects. If you are interested in solar energy and want to work with a good company give them a call.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$16,000 ($3.20 per watt)
Latest review
Lou Huzella, 2 weeks ago
This is my second Paradise Energy Solutions solar project over the past 3 years. I have been very satisfied with Brian's expertise in sales and Charlie, my project manager's expertise in creating solutions. The installation teams were very professional and efficent. They worked hard getting the job done, and surmounting obstacles, including antiquated electrical panels. I think it is a great long term investment, and production thus far has exceeded estimates. I am glad I went with Paradise Energy Solutions for both projects. If you are interested in solar energy and want to work with a good company give them a call.
4.68 57 Reviews
Latest review
Witman , over 1 month
Made a good choice with this company. Felt very comfortable and trusting from the first phone call and meeting. Explained everything so we could understand. Did all the paper work for us when they could. Even after we were up and running helped with a problem on Delmarva's end. Truely a wonderful bunch of peope.
Read more
Latest review
Witman , over 1 month
Made a good choice with this company. Felt very comfortable and trusting from the first phone call and meeting. Explained everything so we could understand. Did all the paper work for us when they could. Even after we were up and running helped with a problem on Delmarva's end. Truely a wonderful bunch of peope.
4.17 4 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I am very pleased with the finished product. The process can get very frustrating. It requires a lot of patience and a great outfit like Clear Horizon to make it all come together. I have to say that these guys are very professional and hard working. They make sure that you are completely satisfied. Thank you for making a dream turn into reality. It was a pleasure doing business with them!
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I am very pleased with the finished product. The process can get very frustrating. It requires a lot of patience and a great outfit like Clear Horizon to make it all come together. I have to say that these guys are very professional and hard working. They make sure that you are completely satisfied. Thank you for making a dream turn into reality. It was a pleasure doing business with them!
3.08 1 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I have a solar panel system that was installed by wanex and it has rodent damage that was found by Sun power. The technician from Sun Power told me that I would not have had this damage had I been given the option of having a rodent guard system installed at the time of the installation. I at now at a loss of over $5000.00 over negligence on the contractors part. I had also asked the contractor to split the install on my garage roof because of the weight of the panels (over 40lbs.) each and since they did not listen to me at the time of the install my garage which is sitting on stone has since sunk into the ground on the side the panels are installed on and continues to sink. At this point we do not know what to do because these damages are not covered by homeowners insurance.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I have a solar panel system that was installed by wanex and it has rodent damage that was found by Sun power. The technician from Sun Power told me that I would not have had this damage had I been given the option of having a rodent guard system installed at the time of the installation. I at now at a loss of over $5000.00 over negligence on the contractors part. I had also asked the contractor to split the install on my garage roof because of the weight of the panels (over 40lbs.) each and since they did not listen to me at the time of the install my garage which is sitting on stone has since sunk into the ground on the side the panels are installed on and continues to sink. At this point we do not know what to do because these damages are not covered by homeowners insurance.
Useful links
Energize Delaware Solar Loan - Provides 3.9% interest loans for home solar installations with a 10 year term
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