Solar

Looking to install solar on your home or business in Dover?

Solar panels work by utilizing light from the sun to produce electricity. This technology has several applications and can be great for homes and businesses. 

Wondering if solar is right for you? Take a look at these important aspects to consider when thinking about installing solar. 

Roof and Shade

• Durable roofing materials are best for solar panels. However, some mounting hardware is designed to work with most roof types.
• If your roof is mostly shaded by trees or other obstacles, installing solar panels might not be the most effective option. Instead, you could consider alternatives like ground-mounted solar systems.

• In Dover, it's best to face solar panels southward since the city is located north of the equator.

• Considering the climate of your area is important when determining if you'll get the best out of installing solar panels.
• Production of the system will vary based on the weather in the area (rain, clouds, etc.).

• It is important to know how much energy you consume to determine if solar is feasible for you.

 If you decide to go with solar for your home or business in Dover

  Follow these steps...

1. Applicant or Contractor requests 24 months of consumption history using the City of Dover Release Form.
2. Applicant submits completed part one with the required information (found on pg. 4 of the Interconnection Application) to Solar@dover.de.us. 
3. The City reviews part one and if approved will return a signed copy permitting installation.
4. Applicant acquires Building Permit from City before installation. (Call (302) 736 – 7010 or email permitsandlicenses@dover.de.us with questions regarding the permit or inspection)
5. When the installation is complete, the applicant will submit completed part two (pg. 7 – 10 of the Interconnection Application) and the inspection certificate.
6. The City will visit the location to confirm the installation matches the submitted design and place warning stickers on the meter and transformer/pedestal.
7. The City will notify the applicant of the cost of the bi-directional meter and bill for payment. 
   • New solar customer applications submitted after October 13, 2022, are subject to billing for the cost of the bi-direction meter up to $200 for residential installations and the full price of the meter for commercial installations.
8. The City Metering Department will set up a bi-directional meter. Once the bi-directional meter is installed, the City will notify the applicant or contractor that they can now start using the system. Do not turn on the system until the notification is received.
9. The City notifies Customer Service of the required account adjustment.

 All Documents can be found under the Electric Public Documents tab.

Please Note

• System production cannot exceed 110% of average 2-year use.
• System size caps are as follows- 25kW for Residential, 500kW for Commercial, and 100kW for Farm. Special cases may be permitted with an agreement form.
• Solar applicants are prioritized based on when they submit their application because some parts of Dover can only handle a limited amount of extra electricity from solar systems.
• The City of Dover does not provide any incentive programs at the moment; please check state or federal guidance.
• A customer service fee will always be present on a bill.
• Solar systems that are producing electricity for the grid utilize credits to offset next month's bill. Credits do not carry over and they are zeroized annually.

Solar Application General Q&A

Yes. The City of Dover does allow Net Metering. If the customer has delivered electricity to the City's system, a credit will be issued equal to the City's current kWh rate for that class of service. 

There is no application fee.

Whichever signature is on part one of the application must be on part two, it can either be the project manager or the customer.

Yes, the documents can be e-signed. No, an audit trail is not something the City requires currently.

Yes. E-mail is preferred. Solar@dover.de.us 

Permission to operate is usually granted within one business week. This occurs after we receive your completed part two and a signed copy of the electrical inspection performed by a DE state-approved Electrical Inspector.

We require a visible disconnect switch between the meter and the inverter, this is so our personnel can easily switch off the customer's panels in case of a nearby repair emergency. Usually, solar companies will send us all supporting documents from inverter spec sheets to plan/site views of array count and placement.

The customer's 2-year historical usage. PV Watt tool.

No. It is not required.

The City will supply and install a bi-directional meter in place of the customer's old meter. After we receive inspection certificates and part two of the application, we will create a work order for our meter to be installed. Some solar companies will place their own meter for their own metering purposes, but we do not require such a meter.

Yes, we will require a copy of the contract between you and the customer to do so. However, the City does not allow the Solar company to sell electricity to the customer at a higher cost than the current rate.