A new program in Delaware is set to help residents and business owners gain access to solar panels. NBC10 Delaware Bureau reporter Tim Furlong explains. 
Delaware is launching a major effort to put more solar panels on homes and businesses, with state officials saying the initiative could help residents cut their electric bills while easing strain on the power grid.
Gov. Matt Meyer announced the Delaware Shines program, which he described as an aggressive effort to make solar power and battery storage accessible to more homeowners and small businesses.
Stream Philadelphia News for free, 24/7, wherever you are with NBC10.
The program is designed as a one-stop location where Delawareans can learn about solar energy, apply for available programs and rebates and find licensed solar installers.
“At its core this is about putting the power literally and financially back in the hands of Delawareans so you can save money and control your own energy,” Meyer said.
For homeowners, the program will offer more money through longer-term, low-interest loans. State officials say that could eliminate upfront costs for some homeowners while providing smaller monthly payments.
Drew Slater of Energize Delaware said the financing can also cover more than solar panels alone.
“And importantly what makes this unique is that we can do solar, have storage and we can have roof replacement all in the same loan and there’s very few if any in the country that allows that,” Slater said.
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is also adding grants of up to $100,000 for businesses that want to generate solar power using panels installed over parking lots.
In Smyrna, Dee Babin is already seeing the financial benefits of solar panels at her home.
“I am very satisfied, very,” Babin said.
For Babin, the biggest benefit comes when the electric bill arrives.
“The most important thing for me is I don’t pay any electric bill,” Babin said.
Buying or leasing solar panels, however, can be an intimidating process and upfront costs can be out of reach for some families.
Experiences with the financial benefits can also vary with some solar customers saying the savings have been significant and others saying the cost of buying or leasing panels isn’t much lower than their previous electric bills.
Delaware officials say the new programs are intended to make the economics more attractive while expanding renewable energy production in the state.
While renewable energy can be politically contentious, states including Texas, Florida, Indiana, Arizona and Ohio are growing their solar production at the fastest rate. Delaware is now trying to join them.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.

source