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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of Dover. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
Top-quality solar panel installation in Dover, Delaware, requires you to hire a solar company that is properly certified, trained and experienced. To guide your search for the best possible installer, we've compiled a list of the top solar companies in Dover.
Prior to picking an installer, request referrals from others, evaluate potential companies and get multiple quotes to find the best company for your needs. You can choose a local solar company in Dover or use a well-known national brand.
While installing solar panels requires a large initial investment, it can reduce your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that changing to solar energy allows Dover homeowners to save an average of $1,100 annually.
The products from different solar technicians vary. Take the time to compare companies and get quotes before you schedule your solar panel installation.
Seek out Dover solar companies with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and comparable customer review platforms. The company should also have a high rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer reviews will give you a sense of how other homeowners felt about the company, so take note if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Dover, can still benefit from solar power. The primary reasons to switch to solar power are:
Based on a survey we did in October 2023, the average cost of installing solar panels across the country is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is influenced by your shading, area, sunlight availability, system size, labor costs and roof orientation. Choosing bonus features such as solar trackers, animal guards or batteries will raise the overall cost.
According to numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the EIA and NASA, solar panel installation in Dover has a typical cost of $14,023.
While installing solar panels requires a major investment to start, you can see significant savings on your energy bills in the long term.
After transitioning fully to solar power, Dover homeowners typically see cost savings. However, recovering the initial investment requires time, and elements like rain and tree shade affect the timeline for realizing returns on your solar investment.
In addition to monetary savings, adopting solar energy decreases your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can achieve by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
A variety of solar incentives are offered to Dover homeowners. Various programs are offered to all Delaware residents, though others change by utility company, municipality and city.
Per the DSIRE, here are the solar incentives offered to Delaware residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Rebate Program Delmarva Power - Green Energy Program Incentives | 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) |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program SREC Procurement Program | Market bid price for the first 10 years, $35 for the next 10 years. |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Sustainable Electric Utility (SEU)- SREC Purchase Program | Upfront payment of $450/kW in exchange for the first 20 years of SRECs created by a solar system |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) Spot Market Program | Varies based on market conditions; as of October 2014 the SRECs were trading at approximately $55 per MWh in SREC marketplace. |
Rebate Program Delaware Electric Cooperative - Green Energy Program Incentives | PV: Class A and Class B: $0.50 for first 5kW, $0.20 after 5kW Non-Profit: $1.05 for first 5kW, $0.52 after 5kW Solar Thermal (water and radiant space heating), 20% of installed costs Wind: $0.85/W Fuel Cells: 20% of installed costs Geothermal Heat Pumps: $700 - $800 per ton (varies by size) |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
When selecting a solar installation expert, first review these important questions.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio influence the appropriate panel system size for you. More expansive houses tend to use more power and will potentially need bigger solar panel systems. An undersized system risks inadequate energy generation to fully power your home.
Specific permits and state or local requirements could affect your solar project. You’ll need to secure the proper permits through your local building department and arrange an inspection.
Not all residences get similar levels of sunlight. Local tree coverage, precipitation levels and harsh weather can impact sunlight amounts. If your home doesn't get adequate sun, it may require additional panels with higher wattage.
Many solar panel systems feature a solar battery. Solar batteries preserve extra energy, which can be helpful for avoiding outages during a lack of sunlight. Opting for battery storage could raise the total cost.
Multiple solar panel varieties exist, each differing in life expectancy, design and efficiency. These factors impact pricing, the frequency of replacing panels and space taken on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
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