Solar Panel Cost in Delaware (2025 Local Savings Guide)

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. 

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 $14,994 and $27,846 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, another top installer in Delaware. 

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 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.

Watch Below: Learn How Solar Panels Are Becoming So Efficient

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.

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.

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.

---

Advertisement

Best for Leasing

4/5

Broad lineup of solar panelsNear-national coverageRelatively low pricing & flexible payment methods

Get Free Quote

Best Solar Financing

4.5/5

Great warranty coverageExperts on local policiesConcierge Service

Get Free Quote

Solar Veteran

4/5

Outstanding customer serviceOffers products from leading manufacturersGreat warranty coverage

Get Free Quote

---

Read More About Going Solar

• What Are Delaware’s Best Solar Companies?
• Are Solar Panels Worth It in Delaware?
• How Much Can You Save With Solar Incentives in Delaware?

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.