Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Wilmington homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you add value to your property, provide a dependable source of power, and decrease your carbon footprint. Making the transition to solar energy can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar providers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Wilmington. These reputable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Family-operated business
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re deciding whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Delaware treats solar installation no differently from any other electrical work. Solar contractors must be licensed electricians, and the government recommends they apply for certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) on top of their license.
Check TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar providers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you assess a provider's trustworthiness and customer service. Stay away from companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
Get free, detailed quotes from 3–5 solar companies. The quotes should outline all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar power can help decrease your electricity costs in the long run. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
The cost of home solar panels in Wilmington will depend on several factors, including your system's expected capacity and the type of panels you'll use. Generally speaking, a complete solar energy system costs $3,090 per kilowatt, not including preliminary work, labor, or permit fees. Most solar systems in Wilmington are 6.7 kilowatts, and the typical Wilmington homeowners spends $14,456 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Amount:
Solar PV
Residential: $0.70/W
Residenital Leased/PPA systems: Not eligible
Non-Residential (systems less than 6 kW): $0.50/W
Non-Residential (systems 6 kW or larger): $0.70/W
Non-Profit: $1.40/W
Wind
Residential: $0.85/W for first 5 kW, $0.25/W up to 50 kW
Non-Residential: $0.85/W for first 5 kW, $0.25/W up to 50 kW
Non-Profit: $1.75/W for first 5 kW, $1.00/W up to 50 kW
Solar Water Heating (SWH)
Residential: $1/kWh saved
Non-Residential: $1/kWh saved
Non-Profit: $2/kWh saved
GeoThermal Heat Pumps
Residential: $800/ton (first 2 tons), $700/ton (over 2 tons)
Non-Residential: $800/ton (first 2 tons), $700/ton (over 2 tons)
Non-Profit: $1,000/ton (first 2 tons), $800/ton (over 2 tons)
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, reduce emissions, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Wilmington, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the savings and environmental benefits of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Wilmington, the average amount someone can save is $996 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can send the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Solar panels are becoming more popular for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
