Learning About Solar

Learning the basics of how solar works is a great place to start your solar journey! This page includes information about how panels work, about the viability of solar in Delaware, about how solar systems are measured, and more.

Solar panels contain silicon – a naturally light sensitive material. When light from the sun hits a solar panel, the panel absorbs that energy and converts it to electricity that you can use at your home, business, farm, or school.

Solar panels produce Direct Current (DC) electricity, but we use Alternating Current (AC) electricity in our homes and buildings. Solar installations include installation of an inverter to convert the electricity from DC to AC.

Solar panels produce electricity while the sun is shining. In most cases, solar installations are set up to first provide power to the building where they are installed. Any excess power beyond what is needed by the building will be sent back to the electric grid. In most cases the utility will credit you for that excess power through a process called net metering. Read more about net metering on the Solar for my home page.

Solar panels can be installed on a roof, or onto a racking system on the ground. Solar installed on the ground is referred to as “ground mount” solar. Most residential solar is roof mounted. However, ground mount solar can be a good option for larger systems, on larger properties like farms, or if your roof cannot support solar.

Solar panels produce electricity when the sun is shining. They can produce power year-round – not just on the sunniest days of the year. Solar installations are sized to match your electricity usage and the solar conditions in your area. Delaware’s solar exposure is greater than Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and parts of Maryland and solar panels have been installed throughout Delaware. However, you always want to make sure that your specific site is suitable for solar, as things like shading from trees, and the angle and direction of a roof can impact an individual site’s viability.

Check out our Solar Calculator to learn more about how many panels you need and the cost of solar in your area.

When solar panels were first available, they were more expensive, and many people do not realize how much more affordable solar has become over the past few years. For example, in the last 10 years, the cost of solar panels has come down by approximately 70%!

Not only has the cost of installation come down, but the number of federal, state, and utility incentives for installing solar has also increased throughout the country. See our Incentives page to learn more about incentives that you may qualify for.

There are multiple financing options available, click here to learn more about ways to go solar at your property.

Remember! As solar has become more affordable the number of sales companies has also increased. In most areas of the state, you will have multiple options when considering solar. It’s always a good idea to compare quotes to ensure that you are getting the best option and price!

Even with the incentives, installing solar on your property may not be accessible to all property owners. Community solar is a great option to support the growth of solar, without purchasing a system or having anything installed on your property. Many community solar offers include savings – make sure to find one that suits your needs!

Solar panels are safe to install on your home. Just like any other electric appliance being installed in your home, solar panels need to be wired and grounded properly. Learn more about picking a reputable solar installer on our Consumer Protection page. Typically, your city or county will conduct an inspection to confirm that everything has been properly installed.

With the decreasing cost of solar, and the incentives available, it is a great time to learn if solar is right for you!

If you are interested in installing solar on your property, check out our Solar for Homeowners page.

If you are a renter, or do not have access to a space to install solar, you can still participate in solar – check out our Community Solar page to learn more!

The U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has a few  guides to help consumers.

Individual solar panels are measured in watts (W). The average solar panel is about 300 watts.

Solar installations are typically measured in kilowatts (kW). One kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts.

To calculate the total size of your installation, multiply the watts per panel by the number of panels, for example:

20 panels x 300 watts = 6,000 watts

6,000 watts is equal to 6 kW

Learn more about comparing solar quotes on our Consumer Protection page.