Hey there! With electricity rates rising yearly in the First State, I know you might feel frustrated and be looking for alternatives. Well, installing solar panels allows you to take control, offsetting your utility bills substantially over time.
In this guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know about powering your Delaware home with solar energy. You‘re going to discover:
- How much panels realistically cost for local homes
- Exactly how long before savings pay off your system
- Recommendations for getting panels installed affordably
- Just how much you can slash monthly energy costs
Sound helpful? Keep reading to see why now is the perfect time to explore solar power.
Delaware‘s Growing Solar Landscape
Before we dive into specifics, let‘s briefly overview the solar landscape here in Delaware.
While renewable adoption started slowly, statewide incentives and plunging solar equipment prices have homeowners investing more each year.
As of 2021:
- Delaware sourced only 4.2% of energy needs from solar
- By 2035, officials set a goal for 40% renewable electricity
- Less than 9,000 local homes have solar installed currently
With plenty of growing room, conditions look excellent for expanding residential solar. Plus, rising utility rates give households more motivation to lock in savings.
Now let‘s see what returns and incentives solar delivers in 2023.
Solar Equipment Expenses in Delaware
Okay, so what exactly can you expect to pay upfront for panels and a complete system? I‘ll cover both so we build realistic expectations.
Statewide Average Solar Pricing
Across Delaware, average solar pricing lands at $2.65 per Watt for 2023 installations. For context, that beats the national median by about $0.25!
Local pricing fluctuations:
- Lowest: $2.50 per Watt (Kent & Sussex Counties)
- Highest: $2.85 per Watt (New Castle County)
Now what does that mean for a whole residential system?
Most homes require between a 4-8 kilowatt system, with 6 kW typical for the average household.
At $2.65 per Watt, a 6 kW solar array would cost $15,900 before incentives. Then you can deduct 26% back through the federal tax credit, bringing true out-of-pocket costs to $11,130.
Obviously most homeowners aren‘t averaging things out statewide though. So next let‘s see how your location and home energy use impact ideal system sizing and pricing.
Calculating Your Perfect Solar System
With electricity consumption and sun exposure varying household to household, finding your ideal system takes a few quick calculations.
Here are the specifics I‘ll need from you:
- Average monthly electric bill: ___ kWh
- Peak sun hours for your county: ___
- Direction your roof faces: ___
Fill those in below so I can estimate your perfect solar array size and price:
| Monthly Electricity Use | Peak Sun Hours | Roof Direction | System Size | System Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Figuring out accurate peak sun hours for your location can tricky. So reference this Delaware solar map to find hours based on your county and orientation.
Got your details filled in? Great! Now we know exactly what solar output you need and the true costs for your household.
As you shop around, use those figures to compare installation bids apples-to-apples.
Weighing Solar Equipment Efficiency
Beyond getting the sizing right, you‘ll also choose which solar panel type best fits your home. And efficiency and pricing can vary dramatically between brands.
The two main categories boil down to:
- Monocrystalline: Most efficient (~20%) and priciest option
- Polycrystalline: Slightly less efficient (~17%) at lower costs
With decent solar potential across Delaware, both types potentially work. So what are the key differences?
I broke things down into this handy comparison chart:
| Monocrystalline | Polycrystalline | |
| Efficiency | 19-23% | 15-18% |
| Space Needed | Smaller for equivalent output | Requires more roof space |
| Pricing | $$$ per Watt | $ per Watt |
| Lifespans | 25+ years | 20-25 years |
For most Delaware homeowners, I recommend starting your search around polycrystalline panels. Their affordability couples nicely with decent efficiency.
If you have abundant south-facing space and want maximum production, then monocrystalline makes sense despite slightly higher prices per Watt.
Just make sure any installer you choose offers long equipment and labor warranties in case issues do pop up.
Vetting Solar Installers in Delaware
Speaking of installers, picking the right solar company ensures your system stays problem-free for decades.
While Delaware doesn‘t have as many options as larger states, a few great providers exist if you know what to look for…
Here is my 5-step checklist for finding a stellar installation company:
Step 1: Experience Level
Ideally, look for 5+ years actively installing solar arrays in Delaware. That experience ensures they handle all permits, know the process, and can accurately quote project pricing.
Step 2: Check Certifications
Any employees doing hands-on work should hold advanced trade certifications like NABCEP. That guarantees proper solar training.
Step 3: Read Customer Reviews
Positive ratings and real customer reviews indicate their reputation and workmanship standards.
Step 4: Understand the Warranties
Exceptional installers offer 20-30 year coverage for maintenance, repairs, or production shortfalls.
Step 5: Confirm Fair Pricing
Compare 3-4 quotes based on your needs using my cost estimate template earlier.
Now let‘s examine two excellent solar providers in Delaware using that framework…
Solar Energy World
With 13 years of regional experience and certified installers, Solar Energy World makes systems effortlessly.
My analysis:
- 4.5/5 star rating with over 500 Google reviews
- 30-year warranty far exceeds the 25-year industry standard
- Not the cheapest but very fair market pricing
SunnyMac Solar
For 14 years, this smaller Wilmington-based provider delivers exceptional service at affordable rates.
Why I recommend considering SunnyMac:
- Outstanding track record with no complaints
- 25-year warranty still beats industry benchmarks
- Lower pricing thanks to minimal overhead
Either option above won‘t let you down. Just make sure to get 2-3 different installation quotes before deciding.
When Do Solar Savings Outweigh System Costs?
Alright, you‘ve got your ideal solar array sized up, from reputable equipment, and a qualified installer lined up…
But what kind of investment timeline can you expect before energy savings fully offset initial purchase and installation costs?
Let‘s use a common 6 kW system example to find out:
| Upfront System Price | $15,900 |
| Federal Tax Credit | -$4,134 |
| Out-of-Pocket Cost | $11,766 |
| Annual Electricity Spend | $1,482.96 |
| Years To Offset | 7.9 years |
Based on typical electrical costs and solar offsets, your investment pays for itself just before hitting the 8 year mark!
And given most equipment carries 25 year warranties, you‘re looking at 17 years of near free electricity.
My chart below visualizes yearly utility savings over your system‘s lifespan:
<Line chart showing rising offset value each year, labelled: Annual Utility Savings>
Pretty exciting stuff! And any added incentives or electricity rate hikes only accelerate solar payback further.
Speaking of incentives…let‘s uncover all the ways to save on your array.
Maximizing Delaware Solar Incentives
Thanks to exceptional state policies and programs, you can deduct thousands through incentives when going solar. Here are the 4 not to miss:
Federal Solar Tax Credit – 26%
The 26% tax credit through 2023 deducts nearly $5,000 off typical installs. File through your IRS returns next tax season.
SRECs
Solar Renewable Energy Credits sell per kWh generated. Over time SRECs offset hundreds monthly.
Net Metering
When your system overproduces, get credited back for excess energy fed to the grid. Further slashes bills.
State & Local Rebates
Check your utility for additional rebates towards purchasing solar panels and equipment. These can save thousands.
Between everything mentioned already, I estimate you save $15,000-25,000 minimum over a solar energy system‘s lifetime in Delaware. Not bad!
And given electric rates continue rising 5% yearly, your long term savings only compound further.
Let‘s Get You Started with Solar
Phew, we covered a ton here on solar powering your home!
Though it takes some upfront legwork, hopefully you now see how affordable and beneficial converting to solar looks long-term.
Here‘s a quick recap of what we discussed:
- Size your perfect solar array based on location and energy usage
- Choose equipment for optimal efficiency and pricing
- Find experienced, reputable Delaware installers
- Model exact bill offset timelines and lifetime savings
- Utilize incentives to maximize affordability
Ready to crunch the numbers for your household and request solar quotes? I‘m here to help answer any other questions popping up too.
Let‘s chat below on the easiest next steps to start your solar journey!
