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7 Steps to Solar Panels in Delaware
By Aniket Bhor /
Solar Panel Cost in Delaware (2023 Local Savings Guide)
Here’s a quick look at the estimated cost of solar in Delaware:
- Average Cost Per Watt: $2.58
- Cost of Average System: $17,157*
- Cost of Energy Without Solar: $46,173
- Payback Period: 12 Years**
- Lifetime Savings of Going Solar: $29,016
*Average system size is calculated using data from the Energy Information Administration. This price is after tax credit.
**Payback period is calculated assuming the system is purchased in cash.
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Cost of Solar Panels in Delaware
The average cost of solar panels in Delaware is $2.58 per watt, which is below the national average electricity rate of $2.66 per watt. Typically, a 9.5-kilowatt solar system is a common size in Delaware to offset the average monthly utility bill of $117 per month.1 A 9.5-kilowatt system would cost $17,157 after claiming the 30% federal solar tax credit.
With that said, a 9.5-kilowatt system isn’t the best for every Delaware resident. How many solar panels you need for your home will vary based on factors like your energy usage, your home’s natural shade and more. Regardless, system size will have a large impact on the cost of a solar project.
Keep reading to learn more about solar costs and incentives in Delaware. Or, if you want to jump straight to getting a quote for an installation, you can follow the links below to speak with a verified professional.
Green Street Solar
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Locally owned and operated
- Many financing options
Cons
- Limited service offerings
Solar Energy World
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Excellent reputation
- Independently owned and operated
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
Cons
- Some reported communication issues
- Less personalization than competitors offer
Clean Energy USA
Outstanding Local Installer
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
- Excellent reputation
- Many years of experience
- NABCEP-certified technicians
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Limited information available on website
Solar Panel System Installation Cost in Delaware
The below chart shows the average solar panel installation cost in Delaware before and after factoring in the 30% solar tax credit. As we show below, system size (in kilowatts) correlates directly with the cost. It also determines whether you can meet 100% of your home’s power needs with clean energy and eliminate your energy bills.
For homeowners simply seeking a supplemental energy source, investing in a smaller system that can cover a portion of their energy needs makes sense. However, for those who want to rely solely on home solar power, installing a properly sized system is critical. If you want to entirely eliminate your energy bills with solar, you’ll need to have a large enough system to meet or surpass your average energy consumption.
| Size of Solar Panel System | Delaware Solar Panel Cost | Cost After 30% Federal Tax Credit |
| 7 kW | $18,060 | $12,642 |
| 8 kW | $20,640 | $14,448 |
| 9 kW | $23,220 | $16,254 |
| 10 kW | $25,800 | $18,060 |
| 11 kW | $28,380 | $19,866 |
| 12 kW | $30,960 | $21,672 |
| 13 kW | $33,540 | $23,478 |
Interested in seeing the best solar providers in Delaware that offer affordable yet high-quality systems? Click here.
See also: Find out how much solar power your roof can produce with our solar calculator
What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Delaware?
Solar panel systems in Delaware typically cost between $12,642 and $23,478 after the federal investment tax credit (ITC) is applied. The price range is so wide because many factors can bring your up-front and total costs up or down by thousands of dollars. We’ll discuss some of the most prevalent factors in Delaware below.
Solar Equipment
The type and brand of equipment you want installed is the most significant factor to consider. Most homeowners will choose solar equipment based on its efficiency and warranty. More efficient panels and those with better warranties are almost always more costly.
Thankfully, Delaware experiences 202 sunny days per year on average which is just below the national average of 205 days. Given the ample amount of sunlight, high-efficiency panels likely aren’t necessary, so you can safely opt for less expensive equipment in most cases.
With that being said, due to Delaware’s coastal location residents often experience extreme weather events including hurricanes, tropical storms and strong winds. Power outages are common in many parts of Delaware, so many homeowners opt to install solar batteries to maintain power through outages.
Additionally, choosing a solar panel brand with a good warranty and service that includes roof leak protection will cost more but is often worth the added investment in an area like Delaware.
Solar Financing in Delaware
The type of financing you choose will also affect both your up-front and long-term costs of going solar. Paying cash requires the maximum up front but minimizes your total cost because you avoid interest. Solar loans require little to no money down but will cost more in total.
If you do go the route of financing your solar panels, the loan and lender you choose can also affect your pricing. Delawareans can take advantage of programs like the Residential Solar Loan Program from Energize Delaware or the Low- to Moderate-Income Solar Pilot Program offered by the State of Delaware.2,3
You can also look for grants that are available from your electric company, like the Green Grant Delaware program from Delmarva Power, Delaware Electric Cooperative’s solar grant or the Municipal Green Energy Program grant via Municipal Electric.4,5,6
Delaware Solar Installation Company
Every Delaware solar panel installation company will charge different amounts for services and equipment, so the specific installer you choose can affect your pricing. For example, Green Street Solar, one of the top local solar installers in Delaware, installs a wide range of panel brands like LG, SMA and Jinko.
These brands tend to be less costly than the Maxeon brand panels offered by SunPower, another top installer in Delaware. Your total cost is very likely to be higher with SunPower for this reason, although you also get one of the highest panel efficiencies and best warranties in the industry.
Local companies in Delaware — like Green Street Solar — tend to charge a bit more for equipment than national companies because they don’t buy panels and inverters in bulk. However, they sometimes offer discounts on equipment to be able to compete with bigger players in the area like SunPower and Solar Energy World.
Additional Considerations and Costs
There are some more minor costs in Delaware you should consider as well, which we’ll discuss briefly below.
- Permits: No matter where you live in Delaware, your municipality will require building permits for solar panel installation. Depending on your town or city, the price for permits could range from $75 to several hundreds of dollars. Your installer will typically file for the permit, but the fee will be passed on to you.
- Licenses: The State of Delaware mandates that any installer of photovoltaic equipment be licensed as an electrician. This doesn’t directly come with any charges for you, but the added licensing requirements for installers in the area will tend to make prices a bit higher overall.
- Warranties: The warranty you get from your panel manufacturer and installer will protect your investment and your property from damage related to the system. This protection is crucial for your peace of mind and safety, and while more comprehensive and longer warranties are better, they also tend to be connected with more costly panels.
- HOAs: Delaware passed legislation in 2009 that prohibits homeowners’ associations and other private entities from preventing you from installing solar.7 Again, this won’t affect your cost, but it’s important to know your solar rights.
- Environmental zoning: Zoning laws can sometimes prevent solar panel installation, especially if you’re looking to install a ground-mounted system. However, the laws in Delaware are generally in favor of solar adoption, so you shouldn’t run into any issues.
Delaware Solar Panel Incentives
Delaware homeowners who switch to solar have access to various incentives. Although solar energy systems installed in the state aren’t exempt from sales or property tax, homeowners may utilize other financial incentives to help cut back on the overall cost.
| Delaware Solar Incentive | How it Affects the Cost of Solar Panels in Delaware |
| Solar Renewable Energy Credits | Due to Delaware’s Renewable Portfolio Standards, or RPS, utility companies in the state must derive 40% of their energy from renewable sources by 2035. To help with this, homeowners can earn solar renewable energy credits, or SRECs, which can be sold to utilities for cash via the SREC marketplace. |
| Net Metering | Delaware offers a statewide net metering program that happens to be one of the best in the country. In other states, solar customers who participate in net metering programs may receive credits worth an amount lower than the retail rate of electricity, but Delaware ensures they can be exchanged 1:1 to offset energy bills. |
| Local Solar Rebates & Incentives | Several utility companies in the state offer excellent rebates to their customer base. For example, Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Green Energy Programs hand out rebates of up to $6,000 and $2,500, respectively. |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit | The solar investment tax credit (ITC) allows homeowners to claim 30% of their total solar equipment and installation costs as a tax credit. All U.S. residents are eligible for the 30% tax credit through 2032. |
The Best Solar Panel Brands Available in Delaware
The brand of solar panel you choose will affect many aspects of your system, including the overall efficiency and power production, the warranty and the cost. The table below shows relative pricing for some of the best solar panel brands in Delaware, so you can use this as a reference to help decide which brand might fit your budget.
| Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
| LG Solar | $$$ |
| Canadian Solar | $$$ |
| JA Solar | $$ |
| Mission Solar | $$ |
| Panasonic | $$ |
| Q Cells | $$ |
| REC | $$$ |
| Silfab | $$$ |
| SunPower | $$$$$ |
| Tesla | $$ |
| Trina Solar | $$$ |
Want to know what size solar system you need to offset your specific energy needs and how much the panels will cost? Check out our preferred solar providers in Delaware below to get a free quote from a top installer in your area.
Read More About Going Solar
FAQ: Solar Panel Cost Delaware
At EcoWatch, we get questions every day about solar, some from Delaware homeowners. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
In Delaware, the average cost of solar panels is $2.58 per watt. The final cost of a solar energy system for your home hinges on several factors, so it’s tricky to give an accurate price.
However, to provide a general overview of how much it might cost for a solar panel system in Delaware, consider the cost of a 5-kW and 13-kW system. Most home solar systems will fall between this range The average 5-kW solar panel system in Delaware costs about $12,900 before any tax credits or rebates, while a 13-kW solar energy system will set you back about $33,540. After the federal tax credit is applied, those numbers slim down to $9,546 and $24,820, respectively.
If you’re after the most cost-effective option, buying solar panels outright for your Delaware home is always the best way to go. If paying for the entire system upfront isn’t feasible, you could opt for a solar loan. Going with a solar loan allows you to enjoy the same benefits as buying the system upfront with cash, although you will accrue interest over time.
When you buy your system outright, whether you do so with a cash purchase or a solar loan, you own the system. This offers multiple benefits, many of which don’t apply if you lease a solar system. For example, you can take advantage of the solar tax credit and local rebates and tax breaks (as available in Delaware).
In addition, solar panels boost the real estate value of your home. So, if you end up selling your home before you begin noticing a significant return on investment, you’ll make a little more on your home sale.
In some cases, the added value may cover a large percentage (if not all) of the total amount you spent on your solar energy system.
No, solar panels aren’t free in Delaware. Some solar providers use marketing tactics to entice new customers with “free” solar panels. But these companies are usually trying to get you to sign a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA).
Before you sign anything, it’s important to do thorough research on the company to ensure it’s a good fit for your needs. Dozens of shady, “fly-by-night” solar providers have popped up across the U.S. in recent years as the demand for solar has grown. So, for optimal results, it’s important to choose a company that is both reputable and suitable for your home’s energy needs.
Cost isn’t always the most crucial consideration when buying solar panels. Although it’s an important aspect to consider, it’s not always the defining factor for all homeowners. For example, a homeowner set on finding the best warranties available in the area will prioritize such.
Affordability is often a significant consideration for homeowners wanting to go solar, as the price of a solar energy system can be steep for some homeowners. We recommend looking for companies that offer the best solar financing options that suit your particular needs if that is the case.
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Top Installers For Delaware
Comparing authorized solar partners
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
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- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Locally owned and operated
- Many financing options
- Limited service offerings
A+Outstanding Regional Installer
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