Delaware
Solar Permit Plans.
NEC 2020. GEP Grant.
SRECs $30/yr. No Sales Tax.
Delaware stacks three solar incentives that few states match: a cash grant through the Green Energy Program, ongoing SREC income for 25 years, and full 1:1 retail net metering. The critical installer decision: DPL customers who take the $6,000 GEP grant must surrender their SRECs to the state. DEC and DEMEC customers who take grants keep their SRECs. The right structure depends on system size, tenure, and SREC value assumptions.
Delaware's Triple Incentive Stack: GEP Cash Grant + SREC Income + Full Retail Net Metering.
Permit Design builds Delaware solar permit plan sets for solar installers, EPCs, and roofing companies across all three Delaware counties. Delaware's electrical code is NEC 2020 under the Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners. Structural codes are the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC. Delaware is one of a small number of states that offers installers a genuine triple-incentive stack: the Green Energy Program cash grant paid by the customer's utility, ongoing SREC production income through Delaware's Renewable Portfolio Standard, and full 1:1 retail-rate net metering. Delaware has no state sales tax — solar equipment carries zero sales tax, saving $1,000 to $1,800 versus neighboring Maryland, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.
The most consequential decision in a Delaware solar proposal is understanding which incentive programs apply and how the GEP grant interacts with SREC ownership. Delmarva Power and Light (DPL) customers who apply for the GEP grant — up to $6,000 cash — must assign their Solar Renewable Energy Credits to the state as a condition of the program. Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) and DEMEC municipal utility customers who receive grants keep their SRECs. Since SRECs generate approximately $30 per certificate for the first 10 years (and $10 per certificate for years 11 through 25), the math on DPL grant versus retained SRECs is not always obvious and should be modeled for each customer's system size.
Last updated: June 2026 · Delaware GEP grant rates, SREC values, NEM policy (including SJR 1 study), and NEC 2020 adoption confirmed as of June 2026.
DPL $6K Grant but You Lose SRECs. DEC and DEMEC Grant and You Keep SRECs. The Right Call Depends on System Size.
Delaware's Green Energy Program is administered by the Delaware Energy Office (DNREC) through three separate utility-specific sub-programs. The incentive amounts differ — and so does the SREC assignment requirement. This is the single most important distinction in Delaware solar proposals.
Full 1:1 Retail NEM — Across All Delaware Utilities. SJR 1 Cost-Benefit Study Could Trigger Policy Changes.
Delaware requires all electric utilities to offer net metering at the full retail rate. The program structure is consistent statewide, but Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 (2025) mandated a cost-benefit review that could lead to legislative changes.
NEC 2020 Statewide · 2021 IBC + IRC · Coastal Sussex Wind Exposure
Delaware's code structure is straightforward — statewide NEC and IBC/IRC editions with no local variation. Wind is the primary structural variable, with coastal Sussex County carrying Atlantic storm exposure.
Delaware Solar Permit Plan Set Contents
Every Delaware plan set references NEC 2020, 2021 IBC or IRC with county ASCE 7 wind values, and DPL or DEC interconnection documentation — with GEP program type and SREC assignment status noted throughout.
Also doing commercial rooftop or ground-mount in Delaware?
Delaware commercial solar packages reference 2021 IBC, NEC 2020 Article 690, and DPL interconnection documentation. Commercial NEM covers systems up to 2 MW per meter. The GEP commercial sub-program offers up to $40,000 for systems under 50 kW — with the same SREC assignment requirement as residential. ASCE 7 county wind values applied, including elevated coastal Sussex values. Third-party-owned commercial systems may qualify for Section 48E ITC. Scope and turnaround quoted per project.
How Delaware Solar Permit Plan Sets Work
Submit Your Delaware Project
Give us the county and address. We confirm which utility serves the project — DPL, DEC, or a DEMEC municipal utility — identify the applicable GEP sub-program and SREC treatment, note ASCE 7 county wind values, and identify the local AHJ. Coastal Sussex County addresses receive elevated wind exposure.
Built to NEC 2020 + Confirmed GEP Sub-Program
NEC 2020 Article 690 with Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners amendments. 2021 IRC or IBC structural with county ASCE 7 wind values. Delaware-licensed PE stamp. DPL or DEC interconnection documentation with GEP program type and SREC assignment status noted on the interconnection sheet.
Delivered in 24–48 Hours
The full 7-sheet Delaware package ships in 24–48 hours. GEP sub-program and SREC status flagged on cover and interconnection sheets. No sales tax noted on equipment datasheets. Free revisions until the Delaware AHJ approves.
Try Us on Your First Delaware Project. Free.
New to Permit Design? Submit your first Delaware residential project and we will build the complete 7-sheet package at no charge — NEC 2020 with Delaware Board amendments, 2021 IRC structural with county ASCE 7 wind values, DPL or DEC interconnection documentation with GEP sub-program type and SREC treatment noted.
⚠️ For licensed solar installers, EPCs, and roofing companies only. Individual homeowners and residential end customers are not eligible. One free residential plan set per company.
Delaware Solar Permit Design — Frequently Asked Questions
Delaware Solar by the Numbers
Top 3 Reasons Delaware Solar Permits Get Rejected
Three issues generate most Delaware plan set corrections at county and municipal building departments.
The Permit Design Commitment
What every Delaware installer, EPC, and roofing partner receives from Permit Design on every project.
Solar Permit Plan Sets — Mid-Atlantic States
Delaware Solar Permits —
GEP Grant. SRECs. Full Retail NEM. No Sales Tax.
NEC 2020 · 2021 IBC + IRC · DPL · DEC · DEMEC
GEP Grant Up to $6K · SRECs ~$30/yr · 3 Counties · 24–48 Hours