Delaware just updated its community solar law. SB 321 was signed on August 27, 2026. Delaware’s program serves Delmarva Power customers.

Community solar lets you support local solar energy without panels at home. You subscribe to a share of a solar project. You get bill credits based on that share. You pay for the subscription. Subscribers pay less for the subscription than the solar credits are worth. Credits cover part of your bill, so any discount applies to the credits, not the whole bill.

What SB 321 changes

SB 321 (85 Del. Laws c. 448) updates the Community Energy Facilities law. It sets new requirements for projects that get certified in early September. The key point is timing. The date that controls which rules apply is when the project receives its Final Certificate to Operate (FCTO), not when you sign up.

For a quick overview of the program, see our Delaware state page.

Which rules apply to your project

Delaware uses the FCTO date to set the rule set for each project. Your sign-up date does not control this.

  • Projects certified on or before September 2, 2026 follow the current rules.
  • Projects certified on or after September 3, 2026 follow the new rules in SB 321.

If you want help matching to an open project, you can check your eligibility.

If the project is certified on or after September 3, 2026

These projects must meet the new SB 321 requirements:

  • Income-qualified access: At least 15% of the project’s output must go to income-qualified subscribers. Income-qualified means a household with income up to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines or 80% of state median income, whichever is greater.
  • Minimum savings rates: The law sets a minimum savings rate of 10% for residential subscribers and 20% for income-qualified subscribers. This is calculated counting the subscription and other fees. The law does not define savings as a percent off your whole bill.
  • Billing: Today, these projects also use two bills (see below). Once consolidated billing is in place, one bill becomes the default for them, so your Delmarva Power bill would show your credits and your community solar charges in one place. Consolidated billing must be available to all projects by October 1, 2027.

Remember, your actual savings depend on the state, utility, and project. Your credits reduce part of your bill. Any discount applies to the credits, not the entire bill total.

If the project is certified on or before September 2, 2026

Projects with an FCTO date on or before September 2, 2026 follow the earlier rules:

  • Low-income access: At least 15% of the project’s output must go to low-income subscribers. Low-income means a household with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median income, whichever is greater.
  • Cost cap: Subscriber costs cannot exceed the value of the bill credits.

These projects also use two bills today. If you are not sure which set of rules your project follows, ask for the project’s FCTO date.

Today: two bills each month (dual billing)

Right now, Delaware community solar uses dual billing. You get two bills each month:

  • Your Delmarva Power bill. It works the same as today and shows your community solar credit, which lowers the amount you owe Delmarva.
  • Your subscription bill. The solar project bills you separately for the credits you received, at a discount.

Add the two together to see your total. For example, if your Delmarva bill is $200 and you receive $150 in credits, you pay Delmarva $50. With a 10% discount on the credits, your subscription bill is $135. Your total is $185, or $15 less than $200. This is an example only, not a quote.

How savings work in Delaware community solar

Community solar bill credits cover part of your Delmarva Power bill. You also pay for your subscription. You should expect to pay less for the subscription than the credits are worth. That difference is where savings can come from.

Important points:

  • Savings depend on your project and utility rules.
  • The law sets minimum savings rates for projects certified on or after September 3, 2026. It counts the subscription and other fees when calculating those rates.
  • The law does not treat savings as a percent off your whole bill. Think of it as a discount tied to your credits and the subscription price.

If you want to see what you may qualify for, use our short form to check your eligibility. We keep it simple for renters and homeowners.

What could change next

SB 321 also calls for more work on program details. A Public Service Commission working group report with recommendations is due January 31, 2027. Some details may change after that report. We will track updates and share what matters for Delmarva Power customers on our Delaware state page.

Community solar in Delaware continues to grow under clear rules. The FCTO date sets which rules apply. New projects must meet income-qualified targets and minimum savings rates. For now, expect two bills each month; one bill becomes the default once consolidated billing is in place, by October 1, 2027 at the latest. If you get your power from Delmarva Power, you may be able to join a project and support local solar energy with a simple monthly setup.