Solar Panel Installation in Delaware, OH
Local sun, utility rules, permits and installers
Delaware has about 1,140 kWh a year per kW of rooftop solar (our estimate). Your utility decides what exported power earns, so see the rules for Ohio Power and Dayton Power & Light below, then get quotes.
Delaware solar at a glance
Utility rules and programs for Delaware
Ohio Power and Dayton Power & Light serve Delaware County, so which rules apply depends on your address.
| Utility | Type | Solar export rule |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Power Co | investor-owned | AEP Ohio credits exported power under its net metering tariff at the generation energy component of your standard service schedule, as a money credit that carries to later bills; the utility does not pay cash for it. Systems may not exceed 120 percent of your use. Apply through AEP’s online interconnection portal. |
| Dayton Power & Light Co | investor-owned | AES Ohio credits excess energy in the billing month at the Standard Offer Rate. There is a $95 fee to switch to a net meter, a $50 Level 1 application for systems up to 25 kW, and credits are bill credits, not checks. |
Program details are from each utility’s own pages (read October 2026). See the Ohio incentives table for statewide credits and a status for every program.
Permits and approvals in Delaware
- City of Delaware Building Division: permit information · 740-203-1600
- The city has a solar panels page; applications go through its online portal with a goal of review within 14 business days. It asks for a site plan, a design professional’s roof framing letter, spec sheets and electrical diagrams, and a residential system needs one inspection.
- The utility must approve the connection before you switch on: AEP Ohio net metering · AES Ohio interconnection · your own utility’s interconnection page.
- Check any contractor on the Ohio eLicense verification before you sign.
- Under Senate Bill 61 (2022, R.C. 5312.16 and 5311.192), solar panels are allowed in HOAs and condo communities unless the documents specifically prohibit them, and associations may only set reasonable limits on size, place and manner.
Fees and steps change; confirm with the office before you start. We have not verified timelines for Delaware.
Costs and savings
We do not have verified installed prices for Delaware alone. The Ohio figures above show what to expect; real quotes depend on your home, equipment and installer. Try the solar savings calculator, and get at least two written quotes.
Choosing an installer
- License: check the contractor on the Ohio eLicense verification and that the license covers this work.
- Quote: ask for an itemized written quote that names the equipment, warranties and who pulls the permit and handles the utility approval.
- Compare: get two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not only the total.
Get solar quotes in Delaware
Tell us about your project in Delaware. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area. It is free, with no obligation, and nothing is shared with an installer unless you choose one.
More for Delaware
Home Battery Installation in Delaware · Backup Generator Installation in Delaware · Home EV Charger Installation in Delaware · Delaware energy guide · Ohio energy guide.
Solar Panel Installation in Delaware FAQs
Is solar worth it in Delaware?
The sun is strong (about 1,140 kWh a year per kW, our estimate), but export credits are low, so solar pays most when sized to what you use at home or paired with a battery. See the Ohio incentives for the state credit.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The federal 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. We found no Ohio state solar credit; the state sales-tax and property-tax treatment of home solar is not confirmed, so ask your installer.
Do I need a permit for solar panels in Delaware?
Usually yes, and the utility may need to approve solar and batteries. City of Delaware Building Division handles permits in Delaware; see the permit information above.
How do I find a licensed installer in Delaware?
Use the quote button on this page. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area; you can check any contractor on the Ohio eLicense verification.
Sources: sunshine and climate NASA POWER; hazards FEMA National Risk Index; utility numbers EIA-861 (2024); prices EnergySage (October 2026) and Generac (U.S.); credits IRS and the Ohio Department of Taxation; permit information from the city or town’s own page; utility programs from each utility’s own pages (October 2026). General information, not financial, tax, legal or electrical advice. See our editorial policy.