Delaware Solar Calculator

Delaware offers SRECs ($20-30 each), net metering, and Green Energy Program grants — enter your Delmarva Power bill to see your full 30% ITC savings plus SREC income.

Your Delaware solar inputs

Monthly electric bill?

Utility?

System size?

Battery backup?

Delaware solar estimate

20 × 400W panels (8 kW system)

Recommended size for your bill: 9.3 kW

Monthly usage1,000 kWh/mo

Annual production (DE 4.5 PSH)10,512 kWh/yr

Annual electricity savings (net metering)$1,367/yr

Annual SRECs generated10.5 SRECs/yr

SREC income ($20-30/SREC)$210–$315/yr

Gross system cost$23,200

Federal ITC (30%)-$6,960

Green Energy Program grant (est.)-$750

Net cost after ITC + grant$15,490

Payback period (incl. SRECs)9.5 yrs

25-year savings est.$36,792

Delaware SREC values ($20-30/MWh) add meaningful income on top of net metering savings. SREC prices vary with market demand — verify current pricing with a DE-licensed installer. Green Energy Program grant availability varies annually — confirm with DESEU before installation.

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How to Use This Calculator

Delaware's unique advantage: the active SREC market

Delaware's key solar differentiator is its Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) market. Every 1,000 kWh (1 MWh) your system produces generates one SREC, which utilities purchase to meet the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard. Delaware SRECs currently trade at $20-30 each. An 8 kW system in Delaware produces roughly 10 MWh per year, generating $200-300 in annual SREC income — entirely separate from electricity savings. This income stream improves payback by 1-2 years compared to electricity savings alone.

Enter your bill and select your Delaware utility

Delmarva Power (a Pepco Holdings/Exelon company) serves most of Delaware including Wilmington, Dover, Newark, and the beach communities. Delaware Electric Cooperative serves rural Sussex County including parts of coastal Delaware. Both utilities offer net metering. Delmarva Power's rate of $0.13/kWh is moderate — the SREC market adds an important income layer on top of electricity savings. Select your utility, enter your bill, and the calculator shows your complete financial picture including SREC income.

Green Energy Program grants from DESEU

The Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (DESEU) administers the Green Energy Program, which offers grants for residential solar installations. Grants have historically ranged from $500-1,000 for residential systems. The program is funded annually and applications may be waitlisted in high-demand periods. This calculator includes a $750 estimated grant — confirm current availability and amounts with DESEU (deseu.com) or your installer before relying on grant funding.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ Electricity Rate Annual Production = System kW × 1000 × 4.5 PSH × 365 × 0.80 efficiency ÷ 1000 Self-consumed kWh = Annual Production × 0.65 Exported kWh = Annual Production − Self-consumed kWh Annual Savings = (Self-consumed + Exported) × Retail Rate (DE net metering) Annual SRECs = Annual Production ÷ 1,000 SREC Income = Annual SRECs × $20–$30 per SREC Gross Cost = System kW × 1000 × $2.90/W + Battery ($12,000 if added) ITC Credit = Gross Cost × 30% Green Energy Grant = ~$750 (DESEU program, verify availability) Net Cost = Gross Cost − ITC − Green Grant Payback = Net Cost ÷ (Annual Savings + SREC Income)

Delaware averages 4.5 peak sun hours — moderate for the Mid-Atlantic. Coastal areas (Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach) often see more sun than northern Delaware. Delaware's $2.90/W installation cost is near the national average. The SREC income of $20-30/MWh represents additional annual revenue beyond electricity savings. SREC prices fluctuate based on Delaware's RPS compliance requirements — prices can rise if utilities fall short of their renewable targets.

Example

Tom — Wilmington Delmarva Power customer

Tom is in Wilmington on Delmarva Power paying $130/month at $0.13/kWh. He installs an 8 kW system and participates in the Delaware SREC market for additional income.

Monthly bill$130 (Delmarva Power, $0.13/kWh)

System8 kW, no battery

LocationWilmington, DE (4.5 PSH)

Result

Annual production (4.5 PSH)~12,557 kWh/yr

Annual electricity savings~$1,632/yr

Annual SRECs generated~12.6 SRECs/yr

SREC income ($20-30/SREC)~$252–$378/yr

Gross system cost~$23,200

Federal ITC (30%)-$6,960

Green Energy Program grant-$750

Net cost after incentives~$15,490

Payback (incl. SRECs at $25 avg)~8.1 years

25-year savings est.~$43,950

Delaware's SREC market meaningfully shortens Tom's payback compared to electricity savings alone. The combination of 30% ITC, $750 Green Energy grant, net metering, and SREC income brings his effective payback to about 8 years — competitive with much sunnier states. Over 25 years, Tom saves nearly $44,000 in electricity costs and SREC income. The SREC market participation requires registering through the PJM-GATS or SREC Trade platform — your installer can guide you through this process.

FAQ

What are Delaware SRECs and how much are they worth? ▼

Delaware Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) are certificates generated when your system produces 1 MWh (1,000 kWh) of electricity. Delaware utilities must purchase SRECs to meet the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard — currently requiring solar to supply a growing portion of electricity. DE SRECs currently trade at $20-30 each in the PJM-GATS marketplace. An 8 kW system in Delaware produces about 12-13 MWh per year, earning approximately $240-390/year in additional SREC income. SREC prices can rise when utilities are short on compliance — they have traded above $100 in high-demand periods. Register your system through your installer or directly at srectrade.com or PJM-GATS.

What is Delaware's Green Energy Program? ▼

The Delaware Green Energy Program, administered by the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (DESEU), offers grants for residential solar installations. Grant amounts vary by year and available funding — historically $500-1,000 for residential systems, with commercial grants up to $100,000. The program is funded by a small surcharge on Delmarva Power electric bills. Applications are submitted through participating solar installers. The program may have waitlists in high-demand periods. Check deseu.com for current grant availability and amounts before signing a solar contract. Grant funding is not guaranteed and should be treated as a potential bonus rather than a certainty.

How does net metering work in Delaware? ▼

Delaware requires retail-rate net metering for residential and small commercial systems under 25 kW. Delmarva Power credits exported solar at the full retail rate. Credits carry forward monthly through a 12-month billing period. Delaware's net metering policy is supported by the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which sets increasing renewable energy targets through 2035. Delaware's net metering has been stable — the state has consistently supported solar policy as part of its clean energy goals. Net metering applies at both Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative.

Does Delaware have a state income tax on solar savings? ▼

Delaware has state income tax (rates up to 6.6%), but solar electricity savings (reduced utility bills) are not taxable income — you simply pay less to the utility. SREC income, however, is taxable at both federal and Delaware state levels, as it represents actual income received. The federal ITC is a non-taxable credit. Delaware has no sales tax (0%), so solar equipment purchases are automatically sales-tax-free — unlike most other states. Delaware's favorable sales tax environment means your entire $23,200 system cost doesn't incur sales tax, saving approximately $1,400 compared to a 6% sales tax state.

Is Delaware a good state for solar? ▼

Delaware is a good solar state despite its small size and moderate sun resource. The combination of the SREC market ($20-30/MWh), mandatory net metering, Green Energy Program grants, 30% federal ITC, and Delaware's 0% sales tax (no sales tax on solar equipment) creates a solid incentive stack. The state's small size means competitive installer pricing and short permitting timelines. Delaware's commitment to its Renewable Portfolio Standard provides policy stability. The SREC market is the unique differentiator — few states offer as active a SREC market for residential systems at Delaware's scale. The coastal location (Rehoboth Beach, Ocean City area) also attracts solar-favorable demographics.

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