Delaware Solar Rights Law

November 03, 2023

Summary

In July 2009 Delaware enacted legislation prohibiting private covenants (i.e., homeowner's association rules) from restricting the use of roof or ground-mounted solar systems on privately owned residential dwellings. The law was amended in 2019 with the passage of HB 65, which voided all prior covenants or restrictions regardless of the date recorded (previously, legal instruments prohibiting solar recorded before January 1, 2010 were enforceable). 

Although the wording of the legislation refers generally to "solar energy", the title of the bill references only photovoltaic (PV) systems as eligible for these protections. Only single-family residential structures which are not considered common property are eligible for these protections. This includes single-family townhouses with at least two unattached sides and for which roof maintenance is the responsibility of the owner and not the association. 

The law does not void reasonable restrictions on roof or ground-mounted systems. Reasonable restrictions are those that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance.


Program Overview

Implementing Sector: State
Category: Regulatory Policy
State: Delaware
Incentive Type: Solar/Wind Access Policy
Web Site:
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Photovoltaics

Authorities

Name: 25 Del. C. § 318
Date Enacted: 07/09/2009
Effective Date: 01/01/2010

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.