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DOVER, Del. - Four proposed community solar installations totaling approximately $20.3 million in private investment are moving into Delaware’s accelerated permitting program, with construction scheduled to begin in late March 2027.
Gov. Matt Meyer’s administration says the King Energy projects would expand in-state electricity production and provide savings to participating customers. Planned for commercial properties in New Castle and Sussex counties, the facilities would add 9.67 MW of generating capacity and produce more than 12 million kilowatt-hours annually after completion.
Their acceptance into the JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator does not represent final regulatory approval or guarantee construction will start on schedule.
The solar installations are among six developments accepted into the accelerator. Together, the four energy projects and two mixed-use housing developments represent approximately $165 million in proposed private investment.
Created through Executive Order 18, the program coordinates reviews across state agencies, provides a central point of contact and aims to complete complex permitting reviews within 120 business days. The administration says existing environmental, public safety and regulatory requirements remain in place.
"The JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator is about cutting unnecessary red tape, moving projects forward faster and making it easier to invest in Delaware", Meyer said.
"These projects will help lower costs, create opportunities and strengthen the communities Delawareans call home."
King Energy would develop the solar facilities on properties owned by Harvey Hanna & Associates and Coastal Trade Supply. The installations would connect to Delmarva Power’s distribution system.
"King Energy is extremely excited to partner with the Delaware JobsFirst program to accelerate the deployment of rooftop solar programs at four commercial properties, owned by Harvey Hanna and Coastal Trade Supply", King Energy CEO John Witchel said in the announcement.
Witchel said additional in-state generation would help address growing electricity demand and costs.
Construction schedules range from approximately five to eight months, with completion dates differing by location. The administration expects local construction employment but has not specified the number of positions, wages, how many workers would be Delaware residents or whether permanent jobs would follow.
Thomas Harvey, managing director of Harvey Hanna & Associates, said permitting improvements could bring needed energy projects online more efficiently.
"We believe projects like these can play an important role in addressing Delaware’s growing need for reliable, affordable energy", Harvey said.
Community solar lets eligible residents and businesses subscribe to a larger installation without buying or installing panels on their own properties. The electricity flows into the utility’s distribution system, while subscribers receive electric-bill credits based on their participation.
Delaware law sets minimum savings for facilities receiving final operating certificates on or after Sept. 3, 2026. Residential subscribers must save at least 10% on the value of their community solar credits, and qualifying low- and moderate-income subscribers must save at least 20%.
At least 15% of a qualifying facility’s electricity output must serve low- and moderate-income customers.
Those percentages do not necessarily apply to an entire electric bill. A residential subscriber receiving $100 in solar credits would save at least $10 under the standard requirement; an income-qualified subscriber receiving the same credits would save at least $20. Annual savings depend on electricity use, subscription size and billing arrangements.
The administration’s Oct. 9 announcement did not identify expected annual dollar savings, the number of available subscriptions, eligibility details or enrollment dates for the four King Energy projects.
The proposed installations would increase local electricity generation, but benefits for subscribers do not necessarily translate into lower rates for all Delaware customers.
Solar output varies with weather and seasons and stops at night. No battery-storage component was included in the information released by the administration, so the facilities would not independently meet the need for dependable generation when solar production is limited.
The state has not published an analysis estimating the projects’ effects on wholesale electricity prices, grid reliability or rates for customers who do not subscribe.
The announcement also leaves financing details unresolved. Although the projects involve proposed private investment, developers may qualify for tax benefits or earn revenue through renewable energy credit programs. The administration did not identify any specific tax incentives, grants or other public assistance expected to support these facilities, nor did it detail interconnection expenses or program administration costs.
The projects remain proposed developments. Their electricity output, subscriber savings and construction-related economic benefits will become measurable once the facilities are completed and operating.
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