Solar Panel Cost in Delaware (2026): Price, Payback, Incentives

Q: How much do solar panels cost in Delaware?

At the state median installed price of $3.60 per watt (estimate), a 8.0 kW (estimate) system that covers a typical home's use costs about $28,800 (estimate) before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

Solar Panel Cost in Delaware

A typical Delaware home uses 911 kWh a month^[1] of electricity. Covering that with solar takes a system of about 8.0 kW est.^[1,2], which costs roughly $24,500 to $33,000 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives at the state's median installed price. With Delaware's average residential price of 17.98¢ per kWh^[4], our model puts payback at about 13 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your quote, roof and utility plan will move these numbers, so treat them as a starting point.

Delaware solar at a glance

Average electricity price17.98¢/kWh^[4]Jan–Aug 2026 average (preliminary)

Average home use911 kWh/mo^[1]2024 average

Solar output per kW1,364 kWh/yr^[2]PVWatts estimate for Wilmington

Median installed price$3.60/W^[3]Estimate, before incentives

Typical system8.0 kWSized to cover 100% of use

Typical price$28,800Estimate, before incentives

Year-1 savings$1,960Estimate

Payback13 yearsEstimate, cash purchase

Estimates use the inputs above and the assumptions in our methodology: Delaware net metering: exports credited at the retail rate (statewide rule; your utility's tariff may differ). Prices rise 2.5% a year; panels lose 0.5% a year.

Solar cost in Delaware by system size

Same assumptions as the typical home above; only the system size changes. Prices are the state median before incentives and include the incentives our calculator applies by default in Delaware.

Estimated cost, output and payback by system size in Delaware
System	Price before incentives^[3]	After incentives	kWh in year 1^[2]	Year-1 savings^[4]^[5]	Payback (years)
4 kW	$14,400	$14,400	5,460	$980	13
6 kW	$21,600	$21,600	8,180	$1,470	13
8 kW	$28,800	$28,800	10,910	$1,960	13
10 kW	$36,000	$36,000	13,640	$1,970	15
12 kW	$43,200	$43,200	16,370	$1,970	18

Incentives that lower the price in Delaware

Federal · tax creditEnding soon

Business credit for leased and PPA systems (48E)

Claimed by the system owner, not the homeowner; solar must begin construction by July 4, 2026 or be in service by December 31, 2027^[6]

If a company owns the panels on your roof (a lease or power purchase agreement), that company may claim the business clean electricity investment credit and can reflect it in your price. You cannot claim it yourself.

Who: Third-party-owned systems (leases and PPAs). Ask the provider whether the price assumes this credit.
Deadline: December 31, 2027
Checked: November 5, 2026

State · rebateAvailable

DNREC Green Energy Program photovoltaic grant (Delmarva Power customers)

$0.80 per watt, maximum grant $10,000, never more than 50% of total project cost; project must cost $6.00/W or less^[7]

Delmarva Power residential customers who own the system (residential PPA/lease not eligible), total project cost $6.00/W or less, solar access (TSRF) 70% or more, applying within 12 months of installation completion.

Who: Delmarva Power residential customers who own the system (residential PPA/lease not eligible), total project cost $6.00/W or less, solar access (TSRF) 70% or more, applying within 12 months of installation completion.
Maximum: $10,000
Deadline: None set in the source
Checked: November 5, 2026

All Delaware incentives, including utility and local programs →

How Delaware utilities credit your solar

State law (26 Del. C. 1014) and PSC rules require utilities and electric suppliers to offer net metering; excess kWh credits roll forward to offset later bills, and at the end of the annual billing period residential customers may request payment at their supply-service rate.^[5]

We have not added every Delaware utility yet, so the estimates on this page use the state-level rule: Delaware net metering: exports credited at the retail rate (statewide rule; your utility's tariff may differ).

Full Delaware net metering and export-credit rules →

Next steps

Run the solar calculator with Delaware defaults and your own bill.
Delaware solar incentives
Delaware net metering and export credits
How to vet installers in Delaware
Spot solar sales red flags and compare financing before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

How much do solar panels cost in Delaware?

At the state median installed price of $3.60 per watt est.^[3], a 8.0 kW est.^[1,2] system that covers a typical home's use costs about $28,800 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

How long does solar take to pay for itself in Delaware?

For a cash purchase at the state's average electricity price of 17.98¢ per kWh^[4], our model estimates about 13 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your utility's export credit and rate plan matter a lot; see the export-credit table above.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit?

Not for homeowners who buy. The Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D)^[8] does not apply to systems whose installation is completed after December 31, 2025. Leased and PPA systems are different: the company that owns the system may still claim a business credit.

Change log

Nov 5, 2026Monthly output per kW in Wilmington updated to [77.4, 90.9, 125.5, 134.0, 138.1, 136.0, 145.3, 136.3, 119.8, 99.8, 90.1, 70.3] kWh/kW/month (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).

Nov 5, 2026Average solar radiation on the panels in Wilmington updated to 4.8 kWh/m2/day (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).

Nov 5, 2026Solar output per kW in Delaware (PVWatts, Wilmington) updated to 1363.6 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).

Nov 5, 2026DNREC Green Energy Program photovoltaic grant (Delmarva Power customers): now "$0.80 per watt, maximum grant $10,000, never more than 50% of total project cost; project must cost $6.00/W or less" (active).