A worked example: 8 kW in Delaware
An 8 kW system — about 19 × 425-watt panels — at Delaware's assumed installed cost of $2.60–$3.40 per watt runs roughly $20,800–$27,200 before incentives. At about 1,320 kWh of production per installed kW, it would generate around 10,560 kWh per year. Valuing self-consumed electricity at the assumed $0.17/kWh retail rate and exports conservatively, first-year savings land near $1,479 — a simple payback of roughly 14–18 years.
There is no federal tax credit in that math: the Section 25D residential credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. State or utility incentives, where they exist, would shorten payback from here.
Average cost of solar panels in Delaware by system size
Most Delaware quotes land between 6 and 12 kW. At the state's assumed $2.60–$3.40 per watt, here is what each size costs to install, what it produces, and how long it takes to pay for itself on electricity savings alone — no incentives applied.
| System size | Panels | Installed cost | Annual production | Est. payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | 15 | $15,600–$20,400 | 7,920 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
| 8 kW | 19 | $20,800–$27,200 | 10,560 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
| 10 kW | 24 | $26,000–$34,000 | 13,200 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
| 12 kW | 29 | $31,200–$40,800 | 15,840 kWh | 14–18 yrs |
Size should follow your electricity usage, not a round number — these are reference points, not a recommendation. Note that cost per watt rises on smaller systems, because permitting, labor and the inverter do not shrink with the array.
What solar costs per kWh in Delaware
Spread across a 25-year life, with 0.5%/yr panel degradation and no financing cost, solar electricity in Delaware works out to roughly 8.4¢–10.9¢ per kilowatt-hour. The Delaware retail rate this page assumes is 17.0¢. That gap — not the sticker price — is what determines whether solar pays here, and it is why a sunnier state with cheap electricity can be a worse investment than a cloudier one with expensive electricity. See how every state compares on cost per kWh.
Net metering and export rates in Delaware
Delaware requires retail-rate net metering from Delmarva Power and most other utilities, with monthly rollover of excess credits.
Export rules are worth reading as an incentive, because they set what every kilowatt-hour you do not use on site is worth — see how Delaware compares with every other state on net metering.
Delaware solar incentives
Delaware’s Green Energy Program offers grants for qualifying systems (funding cycles vary), and solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) can be sold through periodic procurement programs.
The most valuable program is green energy program grants plus srecs. With no federal credit for 2026 installs, state and utility programs are now the whole picture — see the full Delaware incentives guide.
What changes a Delaware solar quote?
Equipment, roof condition, electrical upgrades, permitting, labor, system size, batteries and financing can all change the installed price. Savings also depend on the specific utility rate, how much solar electricity the home uses directly, and what the utility pays for exports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of solar panels in Delaware?
The average installed cost in Delaware runs $2.60–$3.40 per watt before incentives, which puts a 6 kW system at $15,600–$20,400, an 8 kW at $20,800–$27,200, and a 10 kW at $26,000–$34,000. Spread over a 25-year life, that works out to about 8.4¢–10.9¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a Delaware retail rate assumed at 17.0¢.
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Delaware?
Installation is not priced separately — the $2.60–$3.40 per watt above is a turnkey figure covering panels, inverter, racking, labor, permitting and interconnection. What moves it most in DE is roof complexity, whether the main panel needs upgrading, and whether a battery is included. Expect a site visit to change any online estimate, including this one.
How much do solar panels cost in Delaware?
Using an assumed installed cost of $2.60–$3.40 per watt, a typical 8 kW home system in Delaware costs roughly $20,800–$27,200 before incentives. Smaller and larger systems scale roughly with size, though small systems cost more per watt.
Is solar worth it in Delaware?
With Delaware electricity around $0.17/kWh and production around 1,320 kWh per installed kW per year, an 8 kW system could save roughly $1,479 in year one, for a simple payback of about 14–18 years with no federal credit. Whether that is "worth it" depends on your rate plan, export compensation, roof, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
How many solar panels do I need in Delaware?
It depends on your electricity usage, not your roof. At Delaware's assumed 1,320 kWh per installed kW, a 6 kW system (about 15 panels at 425 watts) generates roughly 7,920 kWh a year, and a 10 kW system (about 24 panels) roughly 13,200 kWh. Compare that against your annual kWh from a utility bill — our calculator sizes it from your monthly bill in about a minute.
Does Delaware have net metering?
Delaware requires retail-rate net metering from Delmarva Power and most other utilities, with monthly rollover of excess credits.
What solar incentives does Delaware offer in 2026?
Delaware’s Green Energy Program offers grants for qualifying systems (funding cycles vary), and solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) can be sold through periodic procurement programs. Note that the federal Section 25D residential credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, so state, local and utility programs are now the main incentives for purchased systems.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in Delaware?
No — the 30% federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Leased or PPA systems may still benefit indirectly because the system owner can claim the commercial 48E credit through 2027.
Use this as a starting point
This page provides broad state assumptions, not a current market survey or binding quote. Before purchasing, verify applicable incentives, utility rules, installer licensing, warranties and financing terms.
Where these numbers come from
State assumptions are informed by public data and reviewed periodically (September 2026):