Is solar worth it in Delaware?
For a typical Delaware home in 2026, solar is worth it: about a 12.3-year payback and $31,511 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 12.3 yrs8 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 17.8¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,379kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- RetailFull retail net metering
The numbers for a typical Delaware home
| Electricity use | 924 kWh a month (Delaware average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 8 kW, producing 11,034 kWh a year (100% of use) |
| Price | $23,900 at about $3.05/W |
| First-year savings | $1,897 |
| Payback | 12.3 years |
| 25-year net | $31,511 (7.1% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 2.5% a year, from Delaware's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity costs 17.8¢ per kWh, close to the U.S. average of 18.0¢.
- Most utilities credit exported solar at or near the retail rate, so you get full value for midday surplus.
- A typical system here produces about 1,379 kWh per kW per year (ranked #27 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in Delaware
Full retail net metering. Delaware requires all utilities to offer net metering: exports earn full retail kWh credits that roll over month to month, with an annual true-up. Residential systems are capped at 25 kW.
Full retail kWh credit for net excess generation; at end of the 12-month period, remaining excess is paid out at the utility's supply/avoided-cost rate (Delmarva) or per co-op/muni rules.
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: kWh credits roll month to month; annual reset with payout of excess at supply/wholesale rate.
- System size limit: 25 kW
- Fixed charges: Standard customer charges; no specific solar fee.
- Last major change: 2022-2023 updates; SB 239 (2026) to remove the 8% aggregate cap passed the Senate unanimously (Mar 2026) and reportedly the legislature; signature not confirmed.
- Pending: SB 239 (remove 8% net metering cap) - confirm enactment.
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power | 17¢/kWh | Full retail kWh credits; annual true-up. Retail rate approximate. |
| Delaware Electric Cooperative | ~100% of retail | Net metering under state law; supports removing cap. |
Solar incentives in Delaware
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
| Program | Type | What you get | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Green Energy Program / Green Energy Fund grants | rebate | Per-watt grant for solar PV installed by Delmarva customers (DNREC-administered). Rebate amount and funding availability change; verify current amount. Eligibility: Delmarva Power customers; DEC and DEMEC have their own Green Energy Funds. | unknown |
| Delaware SRECs | srec | Solar renewable energy credits can be sold through the SREC procurement program (Delaware SEU) or to suppliers; prices modest. Eligibility: Delaware solar systems. | active |
What solar costs in Delaware
A fair cash price is around $3.05 per watt before incentives. For the 8 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $20,700 to $29,300; smaller systems cost more per watt.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 15,186
- Share of homes
- 3.1%
- Residential solar capacity
- 120 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +6.1%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in Delaware
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power | 305,349 | 20.6¢ | 924 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Delaware Electric Cooperative | 108,801 | 14.4¢ | 1,054 kWh/mo | Close call |
| City of Dover | 21,793 | 16.8¢ | 813 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| City of Newark | 11,925 | 20.5¢ | 686 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Town of Middletown | 9,193 | 17.3¢ | 912 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| City of Milford | 7,504 | 16.4¢ | 926 kWh/mo | Close call |
Solar by city in Delaware
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners electrician license (master electrician); business license. Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Yes. Delaware law restricts HOAs from prohibiting solar on homeowner property (25 Del. C. 318).
- Community solar. Yes - statewide community solar program (2021 law), with LMI carve-out.
Installers active in Delaware
Ranked by installations in public records, not by payment. Volume isn't quality: always check licenses and reviews.
- Sungevity 126 installs
- Us Clean Energy 100 installs
- Tesla Energy 66 installs
- Advanced Solar 43 installs
- Suntricity 26 installs
- Sunnymac 2 installs
- Solar Energy World 1 installs
Questions about solar in Delaware
Is solar worth it in Delaware in 2026?
For a typical Delaware home, solar is worth it. A 8 kW system costing about $23,900 after state incentives saves about $1,897 in the first year and pays back in about 12.3 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in Delaware?
A reasonable cash price is around $3.05 per watt before incentives, or roughly $20,700 to $29,300 for a 8 kW system.
Does Delaware have net metering?
Delaware requires all utilities to offer net metering: exports earn full retail kWh credits that roll over month to month, with an annual true-up. Residential systems are capped at 25 kW.
Is there a solar tax credit in Delaware?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Delaware does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of.
How do I check a solar installer's license in Delaware?
Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners electrician license (master electrician); business license.. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://delpros.delaware.gov/OH_VerifyLicense.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include delawarepublic.org, spotlightdelaware.org, energysage.com. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.