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Plug-In Solar in Delaware

Delaware still has no plug-in solar law. A bill covering kits of up to 800 watts stalled in committee during 2026, and the Senate instead asked for a safety study.

A home with a plug-in solar panel on the porch railing, the kind of kit Delaware's rules apply to

Delaware connections need your electric utility's approval first. The inverter must have anti-islanding and be listed to UL 1741, or it must be listed to UL 3700.

Delaware Plug-In Bills

  • SB 270 (2026): Introduced on 26 March 2026, it was sent to the Senate Environment, Energy, and Transportation Committee and stayed there awaiting consideration, with no committee report; the bill was tabled during the 2026 session. Up to 800 W per meter would have been allowed with no utility approval, though online registration by 15 January 2027 would have been mandatory. Bill details
  • SR 21 (2026): The Senate voted 21 to 0 on 24 June 2026 to ask the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility for a study and report on how safe and how useful plug-in (balcony) solar devices are. Nothing more needs to happen. Bill page

Today's Rule in Delaware

Hooking up: Every solar system that connects to the grid must go through the utility's interconnection process, which follows Title 26, Chapter 10 in the Delaware Code plus PSC rules. You must submit a signed Delaware Interconnection Application and Agreement to Delmarva Power. There is no application fee for Level 1 (10 kW or less and inverter-based).

Net metering: Every utility offers it, and a home may net meter a system of up to 25 kW. Extra power is credited on your next bill at the retail rate, and the aggregate limit is 8% of each utility's peak demand.

Savings from a Kit in Delaware

Each 1 kW of panels in Wilmington produces 1,390 kWh a year, according to PVWatts. At 18.0 cents per kWh in 2026 so far, Delaware homes pay that amount for electricity. With an 800 W kit, these results depend on placement.

Where the panels gokWh a yearSaved a year
Tilted south on a stand1,112$200
Upright on a railing701$126
Facing east or west890$160

Each Month in Wilmington

kWh produced by an 800 W kit, tilted south.

Kit Prices in Delaware

KitkWh a yearSaved a yearPays back inPrice
US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit1,640$2953.0 years$899
Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit500$904.6 years$414
EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit1,112$2005.5 years$1,099

Tilted south, all used at home. Compare all kits

Delaware Information Worth Knowing

  • Delaware's 2026 bill proposed a cap below most states, setting 800 W per meter rather than the common 1,200 W. It would also have required online registration.
  • Power costs are moderate: in 2024 the average rate was 13.56 cents/kWh, 15th highest in the US.
  • In 2024, energy-only providers supplied 3.9 million of Delaware's 11.4 million MWh, giving consumers retail choice.

Do You Rent or Have a Balcony?

The mount is your landlord's or HOA's decision, and the hookup is your electric utility's. Learn about balcony solar and apartment solar.

Primary Utilities

  • Delmarva Power
  • Delaware Electric Cooperative
  • City of Dover

What to Do Next in Delaware

  1. About 556 kWh a year comes from a 400 W kit in Wilmington, while about 1,668 kWh comes from a 1,200 W kit. Pick a size. Run yours
  2. Keep an eye on SB 270 during the next session. If the bill passes, you may no longer need the approval step.

Sources

See every state at a glance, or check out a neighbor: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC.