Green Energy Program 

Solar Water Heating Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am a Conectiv Power Delivery Customer. Do I qualify for a grant? 
   
   Yes. The Green Energy Program grant is available to Conectiv Power Delivery residential and non-residential customers who purchase and install a qualifying system within the Delaware Power & Light Service Territory. The grant program is only available to Conectiv Power Delivery and participating non-regulated utility customers at this time.

2. What Solar Water Heating systems qualify for a grant in the Green Energy Program? 

   The Green Energy Program accepts applications for solar water heating systems that are designed to reduce or eliminate the need for electric or gas-heated water. All qualifying solar water heating systems must be designed to reduce or eliminate the need for electric or gas heated water.

   All residential solar water heating systems installed in the Green Energy Program must be certified to meet the Solar Ratings and Certification Corporation’s (SRCC) OG-300, Operating Guidelines and Minimum Standards for Certifying Solar Water Heating Systems: An Optional Solar Water Heating System Certification and Rating Program and have a Freeze Tolerance Limit of minus 21 degrees Fahrenheit without the use of electricity.

   All non-residential solar water heating systems installed in the Green Energy Program must utilize collectors certified to meet the Solar Ratings and Certification Corporation’s (SRCC) OG-100, Operating Guidelines for Certifying Solar Collectors.

   All qualifying systems must be installed in accordance with the standards and specification of the manufacturers of the components and in compliance with all applicable electrical, plumbing and building codes.  

3. Will my system have a warranty? Who provides the warranty?
   
   All qualifying systems must have a warranty for protection of the integrity and performance of the components for at least 5 years. The installation contractor provides the warranty. The installation contractor shall include the warranty documents with the systems operating and owner’s manual.
    
4. What system components do not qualify for the grant?
   
   Any used or previously installed components or solar pool heating equipment are ineligible for the Green Energy Program grant and must be subtracted from the system cost prior to calculating the grant.
    
5. What components of a solar water heating system qualify for a grant?
   
   New and previously unused, collectors, mounting components, storage tanks, circulators, controllers, timers, heat exchangers, expansive tanks, piping and insulation, all qualify for the Green Energy Program grant.
    
6. What other costs qualify for the grant?
   
   In addition to the system components listed above, the labor costs for the installation of the components, and the cost of required permits and fees for the construction and/or installation of a qualifying system qualify for the Green Energy Program grant. For commercial installations only, the engineering costs associated with the system that do not exceed 10% of the total cost of the system are also eligible for the grant.
    
7. My system qualified for a special grant from another source. Will this affect the Green Energy Program grant calculation?
   
   Yes. All other incentives associated with the project such as grants, rebates, buy downs, cost sharing or any similar form of financial support (other than the federal tax credit) must be subtracted from the total system cost prior to calculating the grant.
    
8. The Green Energy Program grant is 50% of the eligible qualifying system costs. Is there a maximum grant amount?

   The Green Energy Program grants for a residential solar water heating system is 50% of the total eligible system costs up to a maximum of $3,000.00. Non- residential solar water heating systems are eligible for a 50% grant for qualifying photovoltaic system costs up to a maximum of $250,000.

   Solar water heating systems integrated into a radiant heating application are eligible for a grant up to 50 % of the installed cost of the solar energy portion of the system. Grants will not exceed $5,000 per residential dwelling for residential systems and $250,000 per non-residential dwelling for non-residential systems.

Sample Solar Water Heating Grant Calculation