Solar power refers to the generation of electricity using sunlight as the raw material. This method of generating power has recently become popular because it helps save some money, and more importantly, it is friendly to the environment. Because of these benefits, more and more states in the United States have created programs to promote solar power. Delaware solar power programs, for example, standout from the rest. The state’s programs are some of the most extensive in the country.
Delaware solar power programs started in the 1990s. The Delaware Green Energy Fund, one of the state’s most progressive bills, was established in 1999. It was recently updated in 2007. The bill allows the state to add a small surcharge to the electricity bills of its citizens. The surcharge is very small, just 0.356 mills, so it does not really weight too much on the Delawareans’ pockets. When accumulated, however, these surcharges amount to a $3-million donation every year.
In 2005, the state legislature set a Renewable Energy Standard which requires the state to have 10% of the energy it sells to come from renewable sources. The percentage was raised to 20% when the Standard was amended in 2007. Also, the amendment requires that 2% of the renewable energy has to be solar power.
A net-metering policy is included in the Delaware solar power program. Households that produce 25kW of power from renewable sources, i.e. solar power, can avail of this policy. Commercial establishments that produce 500kW are also eligible. A limit of 1% was placed for participation in the policy. The limit, however, is up to the utility’s discretion so it can be increased anytime. What’s good about this state policy is that at the end of the year, the Green Energy Fund will buy all the excess power your solar system has produced. The rate is the same as the wholesale rate of your utility grid.
Delaware also has incentives programs, utility incentives, utility loans and utility rebates, all of which can help you save a lot of money. Most of the incentives are given out by the Green Energy Fund. There are two grants, the Technology Demonstration Grants and the Research Development Grants which allow companies, non-government organizations and local governments to develop and test solar energy generation equipments as well as other renewable energy equipments. The State Rebate Program is considered to be one of Delaware’s most useful incentives. It allows you to get the state to pay as much as 50% of your solar power system’s cost. The limit for residential customers is $31,500, which is a significant amount of money. No limit, however, exists for the size of your solar system so you can really cut your system’s cost significantly.
