Best Solar Companies In Delaware

• Tesla: Best Overall
• Green Street Solar: Best for Customer Service
• Clean Energy USA: Best for Local Incentives

The solar installers Tesla and Green Street Solar top our best solar companies in Delaware list. Tesla scored 4.6 out of 5 stars when reviewed against our methodology and Green Street Solar scored 4.4.

We compared the ratings and costs of Delaware solar panel companies after completing our research and analysis across criteria including availability, product reliability, experience and more.

Tesla

4.6

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From Participating Partners

Best For

Best Overall

Financing Options

Purchase or lease

Green Street Solar

4.4

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From Participating Partners

Best For

Best for Customer Service

Financing Options

Purchase, loan or lease

Clean Energy USA

4.1

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From Participating Partners

Best For

Best for Local Incentives

Financing Options

Cash, loans

COMPANY	FORBES HOME RATING	BEST FOR	FINANCING OPTIONS	LEARN MORE
Tesla	4.6	Best Overall	Purchase or lease	Get Started From Participating Partners
Green Street Solar	4.4	Best for Customer Service	Purchase, loan or lease	Get Started From Participating Partners
Clean Energy USA	4.1	Best for Local Incentives	Cash, loans	Get Started From Participating Partners

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The solar panel industry in Delaware is growing rapidly. This is good for consumers, as it offers competition, but it can also make it harder to find the best solar company. Here’s how to navigate the state to find the perfect solar system installation professional for your specific needs.

• Great local consumer ratings and reviews: This one is a no-brainer. Read as many reviews as you can. More importantly, read local reviews. Many solar installers are national entities that have moved into Delaware in recent years, so you’ll want to make sure you aren’t reading reviews from other states.
• State incentives and rebate knowledge: Local expertise goes a long way, which is why local companies are typically the best choice. Make sure any potential contractors are well-versed on state incentives and can help you scoop up one of those rebates. The paperwork to get this done can be overwhelming, so any and all help is much appreciated.
• Strong word of mouth: Delaware’s solar industry has grown significantly in just the past year, so simple word of mouth is a good way to find a reputable installer. If a company is good enough for your neighbors, it could also be good enough for you.
• Local building code experience: Depending on where you live, the installation of solar panels could be subject to local building codes. You may not even be aware of some of these statutes, so choose a company that knows its way around local regulations.
• Knowledge of the local climate: Delaware gets over 200 days of sunshine each year, which is likely why the state’s solar adoption rate has been growing so quickly. Different regions, however, may experience climate in different ways. A company with strong, local roots will be able to design a system that takes all of this into account, along with the pre-existing design of your home and roof.

There are several factors to consider when deciding which solar panel installation company is right for you.

Reputation

Look for customer reviews and ratings on its website as well as on third-party review platforms. You should also check if the company is licensed and insured.

Experience

Consider the company’s expertise in solar panel installation. As a growing industry, there has been a surge of new companies in recent years—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but is something to keep in mind. Find out how long the company you are considering has been in business and what experience it brings to the table.

Value

Compare the pricing and warranty options offered by different companies. The trick is that companies rarely advertise pricing information online, so you’ll need to go a bit deeper with this step. Although you don’t want to choose solely based on the lowest price, you also want to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. Look for companies that offer competitive pricing and comprehensive warranties.

By taking these factors into consideration, you can find a solar panel installation company that meets your needs and provides high-quality work.

Solar panels in Delaware are relatively budget-friendly when compared to neighboring states. A solar system costs an average of $2.60 per watt, which is under the national average. This likely accounts for how quickly the state has been rising up the “we love solar” charts. Of course, unique energy needs and location will impact this price. Common Delaware systems range in power from 5 kW to 8 kW and cost anywhere from $13,000 to $20,800. It’s worth noting that this price range is before incentives.

SOLAR SYSTEM SIZE	AVERAGE ANNUAL SYSTEM OUTPUT* (kWh)	AVERAGE COST BEFORE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT	AVERAGE COST AFTER FEDERAL TAX CREDIT (30%)
6kW	8,000 – 10,000	$15,600	$10,920
8kW	10,500 – 13,300	$20,800	$14,560
10kW	13,300 – 16,700	$26,000	$18,200
12kW	16,000 – 20,000	$31,200	$21,840

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Solar panels are expensive, even when considering that they pay for themselves after around a decade. The upfront investment, however, is significant. That’s where solar incentives come on. Sure, there’s the usual federal solar tax credit, which is great, but Delaware has some unique offerings available for those curious about switching to solar energy. These include state-wide credits mandated by the Delaware Renewable Portfolio Standard.

INCENTIVE	DESCRIPTION	TYPE	OCCURRENCE
#1 Federal tax credit	30 percent of panels and installation cost	Tax credit	Year of purchase
#2 Net Metering	Retail cost of excess energy	Rebate on next bill	Monthly
#3 Local cash incentives	Depends on the value of the system	Cash payout or savings	Upon purchase

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Federal Solar Tax Credit

The federal solar tax credit is the primary way to offset some of those installation and purchase costs. This legislation ensures that purchasers receive a tax credit that equals 30 percent of the total cost of both the panels and the installation. For example, if the total project cost was $21,000, you are eligible for a $6,300 tax credit during the tax season that follows the year the installation was completed.

Net Metering

Net metering in Delaware is fairly straightforward. Basically, you get a credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid, which is also known as excess energy. The law mandates that this excess energy is applied to the next utility bill as a credit at the full retail rate. If you’d prefer a cash payout in lieu of a credit, talk to your electric company. The state’s net metering law requires these companies to cut a check so long as you have run an energy surplus for a full year.

Other State-Specific Incentives

There are several state-specific incentives available to consumers throughout Delaware. These include the net metering mandate, as outlined above, but also grants that can provide up to $700 per kilowatt. This breaks down to a rebate of $3,600 for an average-sized 6 kW system. Additionally, many local energy companies offer their own incentives to entice consumers to make the switch to solar. In the vast majority of cases, these incentives take the form of a cash payout of some kind.

• Green Energy Grant: Delmarva Power customers can qualify for this grant, which offers a rebate of up to $700 per kW. The maximum payout is $6,000.
• DEMEC Green Energy Rebate: There’s a similar program in place for DEMEC customers. This one pays out $1,000 per kW, but with a maximum amount of $3,500.

Solar panels tend to be worth it in Delaware. State averages conclude that a solar system takes just 11 years to pay off, so the rest is gravy. Here are the benefits to going solar in Delaware.

• Reduced energy costs: As previously mentioned, a solar system in Delaware takes around 11 years to pay off. These systems, however, have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. That means you get 14 to 19 years of drastically reduced energy costs.
• Increased home value: Statistically, solar panels increase a home’s value in Delaware by around four percent. That’s some serious cheddar, breaking down to $11,000 to $17,000.
• Net metering: Not all states offer net metering, but Delaware does. This program allows solar customers to, essentially, sell back some unused energy to the utility company.
• Energy independence: You won’t just save money by installing a solar system, you’ll achieve energy independence. This means that your home won’t be subject to local power outages or grid-based emergencies.
• Plenty of sunlight: Delaware gets over 200 good days of sunlight each year, so that gives homeowners plenty of time to collect energy for actual use or for the purposes of net metering.

Delaware Solar Savings: Calculating the Break-Even Point

Investing in solar energy in Delaware can lead to significant long-term savings. The break-even point, or the time it takes for your solar system to pay for itself, is a crucial factor to consider. In Delaware, with solar costs at $2.60 per watt and electricity prices at 16.29 cents per kilowatt-hour as of June 2024, the average break-even period is approximately 9 years. After this point, the savings continue to grow, offering substantial financial benefits over the lifespan of your solar system.

DELAWARE SOLAR SAVINGS
Average Cost of 6kW Solar System w/Installation	$15,600
Delaware Incentives (30%)	$4,680
Estimated System Cost (inc. Incentives)	$10,920
Break Even Period	9 years
20-Year Savings	$26,200
25-Year Savings	$32,800

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Calculations assume that all electricity usage is covered by solar energy. Costs and savings estimates are based on a $2.60/W system price and an electricity rate of 16.29 cents per kilowatt-hour in Delaware.

This breakdown highlights the potential for significant long-term savings through solar energy, which could make it a smart investment for Delaware residents.

Forbes Home surveyed over 1,000 people in 2024 to examine consumer trends regarding solar system installations. Many of these respondents were located in Delaware and the surrounding regions. All told, nearly 20 percent of Delaware residents currently have solar panels installed.

The state may rank 40th in the nation when it comes to solar adoption, but it’s moving up the charts quickly. It was 45th just last year. Here’s how the rest of that data breaks down.

• Delaware ranks 40th in growth projects with 7% of electricity generated from solar power
• 86% of Delaware homeowners said they’d be very likely or likely to recommend installing solar panels to others based on their experience
• 40% Delaware residents said they are considering installing a solar system in the future
• 78% of homeowners in Delaware strongly or somewhat believe installing solar panels will increase their home value
• 42% of respondents said that the positive impact on the environment was the primary motivator behind installing solar panels

These findings offer a complete view of solar trends and drivers.

To determine the best solar company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 26 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including years in business, equipment options, app and customer reviews and support, nationwide availability, price and warranty, product specifications and features.

All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.

You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar companies in our detailed methodology page.