2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Middletown, DE - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Middletown.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Middletown solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Middletown?

Delmarva Power - Green Energy Program Incentives

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Solar PV
Residential: $0.70/W
Residenital Leased/PPA systems: Not eligible
Non-Residential (systems less than 6 kW): $0.50/W
Non-Residential (systems 6 kW or larger): $0.70/W
Non-Profit: $1.40/W

Wind
Residential: $0.85/W for first 5 kW, $0.25/W up to 50 kW
Non-Residential: $0.85/W for first 5 kW, $0.25/W up to 50 kW
Non-Profit: $1.75/W for first 5 kW, $1.00/W up to 50 kW

Solar Water Heating (SWH)
Residential: $1/kWh saved
Non-Residential: $1/kWh saved
Non-Profit: $2/kWh saved

GeoThermal Heat Pumps
Residential: $800/ton (first 2 tons), $700/ton (over 2 tons)
Non-Residential: $800/ton (first 2 tons), $700/ton (over 2 tons)
Non-Profit: $1,000/ton (first 2 tons), $800/ton (over 2 tons)

SREC Procurement Program

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Market bid price for the first 10 years, $35 for the next 10 years.

Sustainable Electric Utility (SEU)- SREC Purchase Program

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Upfront payment of $450/kW in exchange for the first 20 years of SRECs created by a solar system

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) Spot Market Program

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Varies based on market conditions; as of October 2014 the SRECs were trading at approximately $55 per MWh in SREC marketplace.

Delaware Electric Cooperative - Green Energy Program Incentives

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
PV:
Class A and Class B: $0.50 for first 5kW, $0.20 after 5kW
Non-Profit: $1.05 for first 5kW, $0.52 after 5kW

Solar Thermal (water and radiant space heating), 20% of installed costs

Wind: $0.85/W

Fuel Cells: 20% of installed costs

Geothermal Heat Pumps: $700 - $800 per ton (varies by size)

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are designed to encourage people to switch their home over to renewable energy by providing incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. You may be eligible for various kinds of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Delaware and others from the federal government. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

  • Rebates: Solar rebates can be offered by your state or county, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after you purchase a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
  • Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Middletown utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In most cases, solar systems that produce over a specific (generally small) amount of electricity qualify for SRECs or other similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and performance-based incentives in general are typically provided by your state government. SRECs can be sold to your utility company or another buyer, and the money you receive is normally considered part of your taxable income.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar system may qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value that solar panels add when calculating property taxes on your home.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides you with a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, accessories and equipment. You can receive this credit for a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original amount you could claim was 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum amount you can claim.

To understand exactly how much money the ITC could save you, contact your local Middletown solar panel installation expert.

In August 2022, the ITC (now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. This amount will be decreased slightly on a yearly basis until the end of the current program. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, get in touch with your local Middletown solar installation expert.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. Similar to federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time. These incentives might be given by the Delaware government, or by your county or municipality.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Middletown

Nationwide solar energy use has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, in part due to the proliferation of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from the federal government, the Delaware government or your local utility company. If you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, reaching out to your local Middletown solar panel installation expert is a great first step.

Best National Provider

SunPower

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  • Most efficient panels on the market
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Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

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4.0

  • Many financing options
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Tesla Energy

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  • Price-match guarantee
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  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's Middletown, DE Solar Incentives FAQs

If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?

Your best bet is to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system — or speak to a local Middletown solar installer — to clarify which incentives you may qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Middletown?

After adding solar panels to your Middletown home, you can anticipate savings of about $906.76 per year, or about $17,228.42 over the next 20 years.

Who installs solar panel systems near me?

To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to Middletown's top solar panel companies.

What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?

Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. A solar system can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 300 pounds a year, or around 6,000 pounds in 20 years.

How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?

The Clean Energy Credit (formerly called the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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