Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Updated: July 2025
Quality Solar Solutions Since 2011
Palmetto has served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
01

Solar in Charleston

Charleston’s abundant sunshine and rising energy costs create perfect conditions for solar panel installation. With South Carolina electricity prices climbing 11% from 2020 to 2024, homeowners are increasingly turning to solar as a smart financial solution.

This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about solar panels for your home in Charleston, from installation basics to long-term benefits.

SOUTH CAROLINA by the Numbers

6th Most residential solar in the United States
159k Households have installed solar panels
~$10k South Carolina average solar rebate savings
~$44k Charleston average savings over 25 years
02

Key Takeaways

  • Charleston receives excellent solar irradiance year-round with 14.5 peak sun hours in summer, making solar highly productive.
  • South Carolina solar incentives can save you up to $9,713 through federal tax credits, state rebates, and utility programs.
  • Solar ownership provides complete energy independence with 25-year warranties and protection against rising utility rates.
03

Palmetto Reviews

04

Solar Cost Calculator

Our Charleston solar cost calculator uses real installation data from homes across Mount Pleasant, Summerville, North Charleston, and West Ashley. Get personalized estimates based on actual local projects, not generic national averages.

Small Home Up to 2,000 sq ft
Medium Home 2,000-3,000 sq ft
Large Home Over 3,000 sq ft
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in South Carolina.
Recommended
System
7.29 kW
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
System Cost
$20711
Federal Tax Credit (30%)
$-6213
State Incentives
$-3500
Final
Cost
$10998
Savings
Your total financial benefit
Monthly Savings
Average utility bill reduction
$100
Payback Period
Break-even point
8.1 years
25-Year
Savings
$43943
05

Charleston Electricity Prices

Understanding Charleston’s electricity costs helps homeowners make informed energy decisions for their families and budgets.

South Carolina electricity rates have steadily increased from 12.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024, representing a 9.3% rise over three years.

Solar panels allow Charleston homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on the grid and providing protection against future utility rate increases.

Over 25 years, solar systems can offer significant savings while maintaining predictable energy costs, helping families budget more effectively for the long term.

Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
12.9¢
15.0¢
13.6¢
16.0¢
13.7¢
16.5¢
14.1¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
South Carolina

Charleston Area Utility Providers

Charleston residents are served by three main utility companies with varying electricity rates. In 2023, Santee Cooper charged 11.4¢ per kWh, Berkeley Electric 14.1¢, and Dominion Energy 14.4¢.

These rates generally fall below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh, though Berkeley Electric and Dominion Energy exceed South Carolina’s state average of 13.7¢ per kWh.

Even with competitive utility rates, solar panels can provide long-term energy cost stability and protection against future rate increases while reducing your environmental impact.

Charleston Utilities Electricity Rates

Berkeley Electric
14.10¢
-12%
Santee Cooper
11.40¢
-29%
Dominion Energy
14.40¢
-10%
SC Average
13.70¢
-14%
US Average
16.0¢
06

South Carolina Solar Incentives

Charleston homeowners can significantly reduce solar installation costs through various solar incentives in South Carolina and federal programs.

These incentives include state tax credits up to $3,500, property tax exemptions, utility rebates reaching $5,700, and net metering programs that credit excess energy production.

Understanding these programs helps homeowners make informed decisions about solar investments and maximize their long-term savings potential.

$9,713

Average savings in South Carolina solar rebates

Incentive Type Description Source
Residential Clean Energy Credit Federal tax credit A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed Learn More
SC Solar Energy Credit State tax credit Homeowners can deduct 25% of the cost of their solar system (capped at $3,500) as a tax credit. Learn More
Property Tax Exemption State tax exemption Homeowners are exempt from paying property tax on the value that solar panels add to their home Learn More
Santee Cooper empowersolar Utility program Santee Cooper customers receive rebates up to $5,700 (or $950 per kilowatt installed) Learn More

The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.

The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.

The SC Solar Energy Credit is a state tax credit that helps South Carolina homeowners save money when they install solar energy systems. This incentive allows you to claim a credit equal to 25% of the total costs you pay for purchasing and installing a qualifying solar energy system on your South Carolina home.

The financial benefit is substantial but has limits. You can claim up to $3,500 maximum per solar installation, or up to 50% of your state tax liability for the year, whichever is less. If your credit amount exceeds $3,500, you can carry the excess forward and use it over the next 10 years. To qualify, your solar system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or a similar organization endorsed by the State Energy Office, and the system must be fully installed before you can claim the credit.

There are some important considerations for homeowners. The credit only applies to the solar equipment itself – like panels, inverters, controls, and installation costs – but doesn’t include structural elements like your roof or walls. You’ll need to file Form TC-38 with your state tax return to claim this credit. While there’s no specific deadline mentioned for when this credit expires, it’s always wise to verify current availability when planning your solar installation.

South Carolina’s Property Tax Exemption program provides complete property tax relief for eligible homeowners, including those with solar energy systems. This state tax exemption eliminates 100% of property taxes on your primary residence and up to one acre of land, representing significant annual savings that can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on your property’s assessed value and local tax rates.

To qualify, you must meet specific eligibility criteria such as being a totally disabled veteran, law enforcement officer, or firefighter with service-connected disabilities, or having certain medical conditions like paraplegia or hemiplegia. The program also covers Medal of Honor recipients and former prisoners of war. Your home must serve as your primary residence, and you must own the property either solely or jointly with a spouse. Applications must be submitted within two years from the date taxes were paid if seeking refunds, and you’ll need to reapply if there are changes in ownership or status. The easiest way to apply is through South Carolina’s MyDORWAY online portal, though paper applications and in-person submissions are also accepted.

Santee Cooper’s EmpowerSolar program is a utility rebate program that helps residential customers in South Carolina install rooftop solar panels on their homes. The program provides financial incentives to reduce the upfront cost of solar installation while allowing homeowners to sell excess energy back to the grid through net metering.

Qualifying solar installations receive a rebate of $950 per kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity, with a maximum rebate of $5,700 per system. Santee Cooper also offers on-bill financing through their Smart Energy Loan Program for up to $40,000 to help cover installation costs. However, participants must pay a monthly Distributed Generation fee of $10 to cover fixed grid costs.

To be eligible, solar systems must be installed by a Santee Cooper Trade Ally contractor. There are no specific deadlines mentioned, but rebate processing takes 6-8 weeks after installation and final acceptance testing. Homeowners should note that while they can monitor energy sold back to the grid through their electric bill, they’ll need access to their inverter’s online monitoring system to track total solar production and personal energy usage.

Net metering in South Carolina allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credit for the excess electricity they send back to the power grid. When your solar system produces more energy than your home uses, that extra power flows to the grid and you receive credits on your electric bill. These credits can then offset the electricity you use when your solar panels aren’t producing enough power, like at night or on cloudy days.

The financial benefits vary significantly depending on your utility company. Some utilities like Dominion Energy offer true 1:1 net metering, meaning you get full retail credit for excess power. Others like Duke Energy require time-of-use rates and credit excess generation at lower rates of 2.6-4 cents per kWh. Export credit programs from cooperatives like Berkeley Electric pay around 5.9 cents per kWh for all power sent to the grid, while others like Santee Cooper pay 3.8-4.2 cents per kWh for monthly net excess.

Most South Carolina utilities require solar customers to be on specific rate schedules, often time-of-use rates that charge different amounts based on when you use electricity. Some utilities like Duke Energy also impose minimum monthly bills around $30, and York Electric Co-op charges an additional $3.30 monthly fee for net metering customers. It’s important to note that Duke Energy ended their 1:1 net metering program in June 2021, so new solar customers receive lower compensation rates for excess generation.

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 Quote
07

Charleston 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.

Charleston’s coastal humidity and occasional storms might seem challenging, but the city’s abundant sunshine creates excellent solar conditions year-round with proper system design.

Solar Production in Charleston by Month

Daylight Hours
Energy Production (kWh/day)

What Can Your Solar System Power?

Summer Production (July)

[SummerProduction] kWh/day

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)

[WinterProduction] kWh/day

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

[AnnualProduction] kWh/year

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 Estimate
08

Solar Installations in Charleston

We’ve mapped every solar installation across America to show you something exciting: your Charleston neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities have made the switch to solar.

09

Leasing Solar Panels

Most Charleston residents are served by utilities that don’t offer Palmetto’s LightReach program, meaning traditional solar leasing and power purchase agreements (PPAs) aren’t available through us in this area. However, this presents an opportunity to explore the advantages of solar ownership.

When you purchase your solar system, you gain complete control over your energy investment. Unlike leasing arrangements, ownership means you benefit from all available tax credits, rebates, and long-term savings while building equity in your home. You also avoid ongoing monthly payments and contract restrictions.

While maintenance might seem daunting, modern solar systems are remarkably reliable with 25-year warranties and minimal upkeep requirements. Most homeowners find the long-term financial benefits and energy independence of ownership far outweigh the convenience of leasing, especially when financing options make solar accessible without large upfront costs.

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 More
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, solar makes excellent sense in Charleston due to the city’s abundant sunshine, rising electricity costs, and strong financial incentives. Charleston receives excellent solar irradiance year-round, with peak production during summer months.

Between federal tax credits, state rebates, and utility programs, Charleston homeowners can save up to $9,713 in solar incentives. Most systems pay for themselves within 8-9 years while providing 25+ years of clean energy and protection against rising utility rates.

Yes, Charleston has net metering, but the specific terms depend on your utility provider. Most Charleston residents are served by Dominion Energy, Berkeley Electric, or Santee Cooper, each offering different net metering programs.

Dominion Energy provides true 1:1 net metering with time-of-use rates, while Berkeley Electric offers export credits at 5.92¢/kWh. Santee Cooper provides monthly net metering with excess generation credited at seasonal rates around 3.8-4.2¢/kWh.

Yes, solar panels do increase home value in Charleston, SC. Research shows that solar installations typically add value to properties, with studies indicating homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.

In Charleston’s competitive real estate market, solar panels represent an attractive feature for buyers seeking energy efficiency and lower utility costs. The combination of immediate energy savings and long-term property value enhancement makes solar a smart investment for Charleston homeowners.

Solar costs in Charleston range from $9,574 to $12,421 after federal tax credits and state incentives for typical home systems. This represents the final cost after applying South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit (up to $3,500) and the 30% federal tax credit.

System size depends on your home’s energy usage, with small homes (up to 2,000 sq ft) typically needing 6.48 kW systems, while larger homes may require 8+ kW systems. Most Charleston homeowners see payback periods of 8-9 years with 25+ years of energy savings.

Yes, solar is financially worth it in Charleston. With South Carolina electricity rates rising 9.3% since 2021 and abundant sunshine year-round, solar provides excellent returns on investment.

Charleston homeowners typically save $39,000-$49,000 over 25 years while achieving payback periods of 8-9 years. Combined with federal tax credits, state incentives up to $3,500, and protection against future rate increases, solar offers both immediate savings and long-term financial benefits.

We are Palmetto Solar, a national company with deep local expertise in Charleston. We’ve completed over 1,008 installations across South Carolina since 2020, bringing proven experience to every project.

Our combination of competitive financing options, reliable installation network, and comprehensive service makes us a trusted choice for Charleston homeowners seeking quality solar solutions and long-term energy savings.