Toll-free: (800) 557-5686Delaware solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels
Last updated 11.30.21
Delaware State 53 solar panels available
- $2.14 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of January 2023
- 9 years Average system payback period
- $48 776 Average savings from going solar in Delaware
- 7 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
- 6.13 kW Recommended system size
Benefit from a PV system
in Delaware
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4.81 peak sun hours
Take advantage of PV modules working longer hours than in other states
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9 years payback time
Sell the excess electricity to the utility grid and reduce over 75% of your electricity bill
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Sell your excess energy into the grid with Net Metering
Gain credits from the utility company and pay your bills with them
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Save additional $400 to $2,000 a year trading SRECs
The price of a Solar Renewable Energy Certificate in Delaware is fixed at $400 and lasts 3 years
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Cut the PV system cost in Delaware by up to $6,000
The size of the incentive depends on the size of your system and your electric company
Delaware #30 in the US
Solar Ranking
- $48 776 Average savings from going solar in Delaware
- 11 400 kWh/year Average electricity consumption of a FL household
- 7 570 kWh/year AC energy output of a 5 kW solar system installed in Delaware
- 13 ¢ /kWh The cost of electricity today in Delaware
- 26 ¢ /kWh The forecast average utility price over the next 25 years
- $2.14/WAverage gross price of a solar power system as of January 2023
What our happy customers say
I like this company. Good service 👍
Daiga Ellaby
Via Google
Sep 19, 2022
I was choosing between a1solar and another store, the prices finally convinced me,
and I contacted A1. Everything was processed, packed and delivered to Fresno, CA
in under a week. We kept in contact during the installation and I got a few additional
parts from them. A1SolarStore deserves a solid five stars!
and I contacted A1. Everything was processed, packed and delivered to Fresno, CA
in under a week. We kept in contact during the installation and I got a few additional
parts from them. A1SolarStore deserves a solid five stars!
Michael Grubb
Via Google
Sep 7, 2022
I ordered some solar panels. The top 4 ones were damaged during delivery (A1 had emailed me in advance what to check for before I took delivery which I followed even though the truck driver was pushing not to inspect them as thouroughly) and A1 replaced them in a timely manner and kept me informed. The price on the panels were some of the best on the internet (delivered). I would buy from them again.
Robert Broughton
Via Google
Nov 27, 2021
Ordering online was easy.
Price was reasonable even with shipping added. Actually, it was the best I could find with the panels I wanted.
Customer service was beyond expectations. I received a phone call after the order to verify everything. The rep also went over receiving instructions. I got an email with recieving procedure. I got a follow up call the day before the panels were to be delivered. The day of delivery, the FedEx call also called. I got a follow call afterwards verifying everything was good.I had 8 350 watt panels shipped. They arrived via FedEx on a pallet. Recieving instructions said to not sign the recieving doc until I inspected everything. I am half paralyzed so I asked my neighbor ahead of time to help unpack the panels to inspect for physical damage. The FedEx guy dropped the pallet in my driveway and handed me the package list and then he very quickly left before I was able to inspect the panels. He said he did not need a signature. My mindset immidiately turned negative since fraud, burglary, murders, etc are now legal, encouraged, and even rewarded in the US. To my relief, the panels turned out to be in good shape.
I have had several different panels prior to ordering from A1 Solar. I am used to solar panels outputting 70% or less of the rated output.I hooked up one panel yesterday and I was getting over 85% at 9:30 AM in direct sun output which really suprised me. This number is what the charge controller reported while charging a 12 volt battery bank. My current project that these panels will be used for is my second offgrid system.
Next year after I have my house electrical panels rebuilt to allow for a whole house battery bank, I will be ordering another 7KWH in panels and I plan to order those from A1 Solar Store.
Price was reasonable even with shipping added. Actually, it was the best I could find with the panels I wanted.
Customer service was beyond expectations. I received a phone call after the order to verify everything. The rep also went over receiving instructions. I got an email with recieving procedure. I got a follow up call the day before the panels were to be delivered. The day of delivery, the FedEx call also called. I got a follow call afterwards verifying everything was good.I had 8 350 watt panels shipped. They arrived via FedEx on a pallet. Recieving instructions said to not sign the recieving doc until I inspected everything. I am half paralyzed so I asked my neighbor ahead of time to help unpack the panels to inspect for physical damage. The FedEx guy dropped the pallet in my driveway and handed me the package list and then he very quickly left before I was able to inspect the panels. He said he did not need a signature. My mindset immidiately turned negative since fraud, burglary, murders, etc are now legal, encouraged, and even rewarded in the US. To my relief, the panels turned out to be in good shape.
I have had several different panels prior to ordering from A1 Solar. I am used to solar panels outputting 70% or less of the rated output.I hooked up one panel yesterday and I was getting over 85% at 9:30 AM in direct sun output which really suprised me. This number is what the charge controller reported while charging a 12 volt battery bank. My current project that these panels will be used for is my second offgrid system.
Next year after I have my house electrical panels rebuilt to allow for a whole house battery bank, I will be ordering another 7KWH in panels and I plan to order those from A1 Solar Store.
Junkyard Dog
Via Google
Aug 12, 2021
Solar panels are great quality at a good price! Pick up was very easy!
Quirino Passione
Via Google
Jul 27, 2021
Great price and AWESOME service.
Sam McCleary
Via Google
Jun 23, 2021
Review us on Google or Trustpilot
Solar laws, incentives and rebates in Delaware you need to know
Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit
The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.
Join Net Metering program to cover your electric bills
Net Metering is the main way in which a solar system pays for itself in the US. The idea is always the same: you sell your excess solar energy into the commercial grid, gain credits and use them to cover your next electric bill.
In Delaware all utilities should offer net metering. Maximum sizes for a net-metered systems are:
- 25 kW for residential customers;
- 100 kW for farm customers on residential rates;
- 2 MW per meter for non-residential customers of Delmarva Power and Light (DP&L);
- 500 kW per meter for non-residential customers of Delaware Electric Co-Op, Inc.(DEC) and municipal utilities.
Contact your utility for exact rates and net metering conditions.
Save additional $400 to $2,000 a year trading SRECs
For generating clean electricity any person can get Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Unlike with Net Metering, you don’t need to sell any electricity to get credits – the certificates are simply given to you. One SREC is granted for 1 MW of power produced. A 5kW system can generate over 7 MW over a year, so in theory it’s possible to get 5-7 SRECs in 12 months.
Delaware is a great place for trading SRECs. You can choose to store or sell these certificates using the PJM-EIS Generation Attributes Tracking System (GATS) platform. The price of a SREC in Delaware is fixed at $400 and its lifetime is 3 years. What is more, there are several credit multipliers that are effective in Delaware:
- 10% bonus if at least 50% of your solar equipment is manufactured in Delaware.
- Another 10% are granted if the system is installed with minimum 75% state workforce
- 300% credit for PV systems installed on or before December 31, 2014. Doesn’t apply to SRECs that are used for compliance with the PV carve-out.
Overall, selling SRECs gained from a 5 kW solar power system in Delaware can bring you from $400 to $2,000 annually. To participate, register your system at PJM EIS platform.
Electric utilities offer rebates and grants for solar projects
You can apply for various solar incentives from utilities to offset the cost of your solar system in Delaware. Green Energy Program is available for customers of Delmarva power, Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) and municipal electric customers.
Delmarva Power, for instance, provides an incentive of $0.70 per watt for residential and commercial systems under 50 kW. The maximum size of incentive is $6,000 for residential installations and $30,000 for commercial systems. Find application forms and guidelines for different programs here.
DEC, on the other hand, provides $0.50 per watt for the first 5 kW of capacity (0-5 kW) and $0.20 per watt over 5 kW. Maximum incentive is $2,500 for customers with an average monthly peak demand of less than 50 kW over the prior 12 months (Class A) and $3,500 for commercial systems with an average monthly peak demand of 50 kW or greater (Class B). Find guidelines and apply for 2022 grants here.
Concerning municipal electric customers, it appears that Green Energy grants are now available only to Newark residents. Homeowners are paid $1.00/W for the first 5 kW, $0.50/W after 5 kW with a maximum incentive of $3,500. The guidebook and contact information can be found here.
Get a permit and install your solar panels in Delaware with no worries
Generally, in the US you would need a solar permit from your local authorities to install a solar system. Requirements, however, vary in different cities and counties and in Delaware there is no statewide policy. For example, in New Castle county you need a building permit for ground-mounted PV systems, but for solar panels on the roof the permit is not required.
We recommend checking with the officials of your county or municipality if it is legal to install solar panels on your house in Delaware without a permit. Usually your installer knows all the details about permits in your area and handles most of the process. Be aware that city or county officials can impose additional fees on you for inspections and documents.