2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Newark, DE - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Newark.
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.
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Updated March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Newark?
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
DEMEC Member Utilities - Green Energy Program Incentives
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. Financial incentives like these are in place to encourage more people to make the switch to renewable energy. You may qualify for different types of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Delaware and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar system is up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Newark utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In general, solar systems that produce over a specific (usually small) amount of electricity qualify for SRECs or other similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically provided at the state level. SRECs can be sold to your utility company or another buyer, and generally the money you make is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the added value of your solar system when you calculate how much property tax you need to pay.
- Rebates: Solar rebates can be offered by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after you purchase solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides you with a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and allows you to 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 that you own in the United States. The original amount you could claim was 30% of the total cost, although depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
Reaching out to your local Newark solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC applies to you.
The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. You are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation on or after January 1, 2022 and will be done by December 31, 2032. This new credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until the date of expiration. The program expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, speak with your local Newark solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. Similar to federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. The incentives — which may be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Delaware — could be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Newark
Solar incentives may come from your local utlity company, the Delaware government or the federal government. The large number of available solar incentives has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. We suggest talking to your local Newark solar installer to learn more about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar panels.
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
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
EcoWatch's Newark, DE Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for different solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Newark solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. In most cases, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, such as those provided at the level of the Delaware government, may have other requirements.
How much will solar panels save me annually on my electric bill in Newark?
When you add solar panels to your home in Newark, you can anticipate savings of about $881.21 per year, or about $16,742.98 over the next 20 years.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named 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.
Can I qualify for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but generally yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.
Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Be sure to talk through your plan with your local Newark solar installation expert. They can help you plan your project and educate you on the various incentives that you will or won't qualify for.
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.