Aiken, SC Solar Panels
Solar Power in Aiken
Aiken, SC enjoys some of the sunniest weather in the Southeast — and with South Carolina electricity prices up 11% since 2020, more local homeowners are turning to solar panels for their homes to stabilize their energy costs.
This guide covers how solar installation works in Aiken, SC and what you can realistically expect to save. Let’s keep it simple.
SOUTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Aiken, SC?
Based on real installation data from Aiken homeowners — including North Augusta, Graniteville, and Warrenville — this calculator gives you a local, accurate estimate of what solar panels could cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Aiken gets 5.2 peak sun hours per day — making it one of the best places in the Southeast to generate solar energy year-round.
- Aiken homeowners can save an average of ~$44,000 over 25 years with solar, while South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit helps reduce upfront costs.
- You don’t need to buy solar panels to benefit — Palmetto’s LightReach lease lets Aiken homeowners go solar for as little as $92/month with no upfront cost.
Aiken Electricity Prices
Electricity bills in Aiken have been climbing steadily — and for many homeowners, that trend is hard to ignore.
South Carolina’s electricity rate has risen from 12.9¢ per kWh in 2021 to 14.1¢ in 2024 — roughly a 9% increase. While still below the national average of 16.5¢, the upward trend is consistent and shows no signs of reversing.
Solar gives Aiken homeowners a way to generate their own electricity and reduce how much they draw from the grid. That means less exposure to rate increases that are largely outside your control.
Once installed, a solar system can lock in a more predictable energy cost for decades. For many Aiken households, that long-term stability is one of the most compelling reasons to make the switch.
Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average
Aiken Area Utility Providers
Aiken, SC is primarily served by Dominion Energy. In 2023, Dominion’s residential electricity rate was 14.4¢ per kWh — a useful benchmark for understanding your current energy costs. (Note: 2024 data is not yet available.)
That rate sits above South Carolina’s 2023 state average of 13.7¢/kWh, but below the national average of 16.0¢/kWh. Aiken residents pay more than the state norm, yet still less than most Americans.
Even so, electricity rates tend to rise over time. For Aiken homeowners, understanding your current rate is a helpful first step in evaluating whether solar installation could reduce your long-term energy costs.
Aiken Utilities Electricity Rates
South Carolina Solar Incentives
Aiken homeowners have access to several solar incentives in South Carolina that can meaningfully reduce the cost of going solar — from state tax credits to property tax exemptions.
South Carolina offers a 25% state income tax credit and a full property tax exemption for residential solar systems. Depending on your utility provider — Santee Cooper or Duke Energy — additional rebates and net metering credits may also apply.
Note that the federal residential solar tax credit is no longer available following recent federal legislation. Homeowners who lease solar through Palmetto’s LightReach program have a simpler path — Palmetto handles the commercial incentive structure and passes savings through as lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Solar Energy Tax Credit | Tax Credit | South Carolina homeowners can claim a 25% state income tax credit on the total cost of a solar energy system, up to $3,500 per year for up to 10 years. | Learn More |
| South Carolina Property Tax Exemption for Solar | Property Tax Exemption | South Carolina provides a 100% property tax exemption for residential solar energy systems up to 20 kW, meaning your home’s assessed value will not increase due to your solar installation. | Learn More |
| Duke Energy Shared Solar Program | Rebate | Duke Energy Progress customers in South Carolina can subscribe to a share of a community solar farm, with fee waivers available for qualified low-income customers. | Learn More |
| South Carolina Net Metering Policy | Net Metering | South Carolina requires most large utilities to offer net metering to residential solar customers, allowing excess solar energy sent to the grid to be credited toward future electric bills. | Learn More |
South Carolina’s Solar Energy Tax Credit allows homeowners to claim 25% of their total solar installation cost as a credit against their state income tax liability. The credit is capped at $3,500 per year and can be carried forward for up to 10 years, with a lifetime maximum benefit of $35,000 — or 50% of your annual state tax liability, whichever is less. This makes it one of the most generous state-level solar incentives in the Southeast.
Eligible technologies include solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar water heaters, solar space heaters, and small hydroelectric systems. The system must be installed on a property located in South Carolina — either your primary residence or a business property. Because the credit is non-refundable, it can only offset taxes you actually owe; however, any unused portion rolls forward automatically each year.
To claim the credit, file Form TC-38 (SCH.TC-38) along with your South Carolina state income tax return. You’ll need to include supporting documentation such as your solar system design, permits, and receipts showing total installation costs. There is no expiration date on this credit, so it remains available for 2026 and beyond.
South Carolina law provides a full (100%) property tax exemption for solar energy systems installed on residential properties. This means that even though adding solar panels increases the market value of your home, that added value will not be included in your property’s assessed value for tax purposes — so your property tax bill stays the same after going solar.
The exemption applies to solar systems with a capacity of 20 kilowatts (kW) or less, and also covers advanced inverters and battery storage systems paired with solar. Both owned and leased solar systems are eligible, making this benefit accessible regardless of how you finance your installation.
This exemption is automatic and does not require a separate application in most cases, but homeowners in Aiken should confirm the process with their county assessor’s office. Combined with the state’s 25% solar tax credit, the property tax exemption helps make South Carolina a financially attractive state for going solar.
Duke Energy’s Shared Solar Program allows Duke Energy Progress residential and nonresidential customers in South Carolina to subscribe to solar energy generated at a community solar facility — no rooftop installation required. This program is open to all qualifying customers, including renters, those in multifamily housing, and customers who may not have a suitable roof for solar panels.
Subscribers receive a bill credit based on the energy output of their subscribed share of the community solar farm. For qualified low-income customers, Duke Energy Progress will waive the application cost and initial fees, a value of approximately $120, making the program even more accessible to those who need it most.
This is a practical alternative for Duke Energy customers in Aiken who want to benefit from solar energy without the complexity or cost of a rooftop system. Contact Duke Energy at 1-800-777-3600 or visit their website for current subscription availability, pricing, and eligibility requirements in South Carolina.
South Carolina’s net metering policy requires all investor-owned utilities with more than 100,000 customers to offer net metering to residential solar customers. Under net metering, any excess electricity your solar panels produce and send to the grid earns you a bill credit that can be applied to future months. Residential systems must be 20 kW or smaller to qualify, and enrollment in a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan is required by most utilities. The statewide program cap is set at 2% of each utility’s average peak demand over the prior five years.
Credit rates and policies vary by utility. Dominion Energy South Carolina offers 1-to-1 net metering credits with an annual true-up each November, where remaining credits are paid at a lower avoided-cost rate. Duke Energy ended 1:1 net metering in 2021 and now credits excess generation at reduced rates of approximately 2.6–4 cents per kWh.
Because net metering credit rates in South Carolina are generally below the retail electricity rate — especially for Duke Energy customers in Aiken — pairing your solar system with a battery storage system can be a smart financial move. Storing excess solar energy for use during peak hours allows you to avoid buying expensive grid electricity rather than selling it back at a discount. Always contact your specific utility before installing solar to confirm their current net metering terms, as policies can change.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with South Carolina incentives.
Get a Free QuoteAiken Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Aiken, SC enjoys around 218 sunny days per year, warm temperatures, and a mild climate — all favorable for strong solar production year-round, even during cloudier winter months.
Solar Production in Aiken by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Aiken
We’ve mapped thousands of solar installations across the U.S. to show you just how many of your neighbors in Aiken have already made the switch. Explore the map below to see solar adoption across your community — from Trolley Run to Woodside Plantation and beyond!
Leasing Solar Panels
Not everyone wants to pay for solar panels upfront — and in Aiken, you don’t have to. Through Palmetto’s LightReach program, homeowners served by Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC), Duke Energy Progress (DEP), or Duke Energy Carolina (DEC) can access a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — one of the most straightforward ways to go solar with no large upfront cost.
With a PPA, you pay only for the electricity your solar panels actually produce, at a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because solar output varies by season — more in summer, less in winter — your monthly solar bill will naturally fluctuate. That said, your annual savings typically equal what you’d see with a fixed monthly lease. The bigger advantage over a cash purchase? No large investment to recoup, no maintenance to manage, and no system repairs to worry about. Palmetto owns the system and handles all of that for you. Learn more about how buying compares to leasing solar.
For Aiken homeowners who want to start saving on electricity without the complexity of ownership, a PPA through LightReach is a practical, low-barrier path to solar. You get clean energy, predictable costs, and the peace of mind that comes with Palmetto’s comprehensive protection program — all without writing a big check on day one.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes strong sense for Aiken homeowners. With 5.2 peak sun hours per day and rising electricity rates from Dominion Energy, Aiken’s climate and energy costs create favorable conditions for solar production and savings. The average Aiken homeowner can save approximately $44,000 over 25 years, and South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit helps reduce upfront costs further.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease removes that barrier entirely — Aiken homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with monthly payments starting as low as $92/month.
Yes, Aiken homeowners have access to net metering, though the specifics depend on your utility provider. Most Aiken residents are served by Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC), which offers true 1:1 net metering. Excess solar energy credits carry over month to month as kWh credits, with an annual true-up each November, where remaining credits are paid at a lower avoided-cost rate (~2.8–3.4¢/kWh).
Note that a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plan is required with solar under DESC, and credits are period-specific — on-peak credits offset on-peak usage, and off-peak credits offset off-peak usage. If your Aiken home is served by Duke Energy Progress or Duke Energy Carolina, be aware that true 1:1 net metering ended in June 2021; excess generation is now credited at a reduced rate of approximately 2.6–4¢/kWh.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Aiken. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a median-priced home in Aiken, that could mean tens of thousands of dollars in added value.
South Carolina’s 100% property tax exemption for residential solar systems means that added value won’t raise your property tax bill — so Aiken homeowners benefit from both increased resale value and no additional tax burden.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Aiken homeowners can go solar for as little as $92/month with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
For those considering a cash purchase, a typical system for a medium-sized Aiken home runs around $17,211 after South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit. Note that the federal 30% residential tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Aiken homeowners, solar is financially worthwhile — especially with a lease option. With Palmetto’s LightReach program, your monthly payment is typically less than your current Dominion Energy bill, meaning you start saving from day one with no upfront investment.
For those who purchase, a typical Aiken system saves an average of ~$44,000 over 25 years. With electricity rates steadily rising in South Carolina, locking in a predictable energy cost through solar — whether leased or owned — makes strong financial sense for most households.
Palmetto is a top choice for solar installation in Aiken, SC. As a national company with a strong local presence, we’ve completed 1,008 installations across South Carolina since 2020. We offer some of the best financing options in the industry, including our LightReach lease — no upfront cost, starting at just $92/month.
With a trusted install network, a 90% production guarantee, and comprehensive system protection, Palmetto makes going solar in Aiken straightforward and worry-free — from your first quote to long-term savings.
Palmetto’s LightReach is an all-inclusive solar lease — one monthly payment covers your system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 7.29 kW system in Aiken, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $92/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — an advantage over cash purchases, where the residential ITC is no longer available. Most Aiken homeowners start saving from day one, since the lease payment is typically less than their current electricity bill.