Renewable Portfolio Standards
Solar policy in Delaware is shaped by the Renewable Portfolio Standards Act, enacted in 2005 and recently amended in February 2021. The Renewable Portfolio Standards Act requires that Delmarva Power procure a minimum percentage of their electrical energy sales from renewable energy sources, including solar, each year. For example, in 2023, Delmarva Power is required to procure 3.00% of their electricity from solar. This percentage increases yearly, maxing out at 10.00% derived from solar in 2035. The enactment of this law has created a market in Delaware for electricity from renewables. This law has also generated a market for SRECs.
To read the full legislation, please follow the links below:
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards Act, 26 Del.C. § 351 – § 364 (July 12, 2005)
Senate Bill 33 (February 10, 2021)
Net-Metering Policy
Net-metering is available in Delaware for all electric utility customers that produce electricity from a solar system. To qualify for net metering, the solar system can be sized to produce up to 110% of a customer’s 12 month historical energy consumption. If a system produces more electricity than needed for on-site consumption, the excess energy generated will be credited to the customer’s next month’s bill. However, there is no credit for excess generation at the end of the annualized billing period. For more information on net metering a solar system please reach out to your utility to learn more about their specific net metering policies. Utility contact information can be found on the Utility Information page.
Renewable Energy Taskforce
The Delaware Renewable Energy Taskforce was created by the Renewable Portfolio Standards Act to support the growth of renewables in Delaware. The Taskforce meets regularly to assess the state of the renewable market in Delaware and develop recommendations to make improvements. Members of the Taskforce include representatives from the state government, utility representatives, industry professionals, and others.
For more information on the Renewable Energy Taskforce and to view their meeting schedule, please visit the website of the Department of Natural Resources.
HOA Policies
Homeowner’s associations in Delaware are prohibited from restricting the installation of roof-mounted or ground-mounted solar systems on privately owned residences. This was codified by House Bill 65, enacted on August 20, 2019. Due to the passage of this law, any HOA rules which attempt to prohibit solar installations are void, regardless of the date they were originally authorized.
To read the full text of the legislation, follow the link below:
House Bill 65 (August 20, 2019)
Community Solar Policy:
Community solar has been approved in Delaware since 2010, yet the state saw few community solar projects built. In an effort to grow the resource, Senate Bill 2 was signed into law on September 17, 2021 by Governor Carney. As a result of this bill, community solar in Delaware is expected to grow significantly and provide solar access to more customers in the state. The new community solar bill permits customers to subscribe to community solar projects located anywhere in the Delmarva Power service territory.
To learn more about Community Solar, please visit our Community Solar page.
To read the full text of the legislation, please follow the link below:
Senate Bill 2 (September 17, 2021)