If you’re considering the benefits of installing rooftop solar panels, there are plenty for those living in Delaware. According to a recent study by ConsumerAffairs, Delaware is the third-best state to live in if you want to go solar, behind only the sunny states of Nevada and Hawaii. Along with relatively low installation costs, the First State boasts solar-friendly state policies and plenty of financial initiatives to make rooftop panels more accessible for homeowners.
One such policy is net metering, which is available to Delaware homeowners who generate electricity using solar power and allows opportunities for monthly payments or credits on electric bills for sending more energy to the grid than your home uses each month.
“I have to give a lot of credit to legislators in Delaware, because I think they’ve made a lot of positive changes,” says Drew Slater, executive director at Energize Delaware.
A recent piece of legislation Slater is referring to is Senate Joint Resolution 3, which lays the groundwork for a cost-benefit study and analysis of net metering to help Delaware homeowners and businesses better understand the benefits of going solar.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) also works to incentivize clean energy, but installation costs remain an obstacle for many families in Delaware. DNREC launched the Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) Solar Pilot Program back in 2022.
Energize Delaware is also working alongside DNREC to make rooftop solar more accessible for all Delawareans. The two organizations continue to collaborate on ways to make sustainable energy options readily available across the First State.
“We’ve seen a tremendous increase in residential solar loan applications,” says Slater, adding, “partly because we never increase our interest rate. It varies between 2% and 4%, so we’ve seen a huge uptick in loan applications…from all income levels.”
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The organization also started the Solar Delaware initiative to provide resources to Delawareans who are curious about switching to solar.
“We actually created SolarDelaware.org specifically for residents to be able to understand things like, ‘What is an SREC (solar renewable energy credit)? What value do they have?'” explains Slater. “Just to answer general questions.”
With SolarDelaware.org, Delawareans can calculate potential rooftop panel costs, learn how solar power works, look into participating in community solar projects, inquire about grants, incentives and funding, read up on Delaware-specific policies and more.
“We’re actually getting ready to do something similar to provide electric vehicle education,” Slater adds. Sustainable energy usage comes in many forms, and Energize Delaware makes it easier for Delawareans to make informed choices when it comes to minimizing the First State’s carbon footprint.
Even if you don’t own your home, there’s plenty to learn on Solar Delaware. For example, individuals can look into community solar projects which allow people to enjoy some of the benefits of solar energy without installing their own panels. Large projects can power entire neighborhoods with residents paying into the program.
With statewide resources and access to vital information, it’s easier than ever to get started on the transition, lower monthly bills and positively impact both the local and global climate.
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