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.
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Updated May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Middletown?
Delmarva Power - Green Energy Program Incentives
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
Sustainable Electric Utility (SEU)- SREC Purchase Program
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) Spot Market Program
Delaware Electric Cooperative - Green Energy Program Incentives
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
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.
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- 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.