Myrtle Beach, SC Solar Panels
In This Guide
- 01 Solar Energy in Myrtle Beach
- 02 Solar Cost Calculator
- 03 Myrtle Beach Reviews
- 04 Key Takeaways
- 05 Myrtle Beach Electricity Prices
- 06 South Carolina Solar Incentives
- 07 Myrtle Beach Solar Production
- 08 Solar Installations in Myrtle Beach
- 09 Choosing an Installer
- 10 Leasing Solar Panels
- 11 Frequently Asked Questions
Solar Power in Myrtle Beach
Solar installation in Myrtle Beach, SC, can be worth exploring in a sunny coastal climate, but sunlight alone doesn’t determine whether a system fits your home. Roof condition, shade, household energy use, and local utility rules all shape how solar panels may meet your needs.
Learn what to expect from installation along the Grand Strand and which factors to consider. For a starting point, explore our guide to home solar panels.
SOUTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Myrtle Beach, SC?
Explore estimated solar installation costs in Myrtle Beach using real installation data from Palmetto projects across South Carolina. The calculator draws on local examples from nearby communities, including North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Conway, and Murrells Inlet, to help you understand what solar may cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Myrtle Beach’s sunshine can support solar, but roof condition, shade, energy use, and utility rules determine how well a system fits your home.
- Solar output changes with the seasons: sunny summer days can produce more electricity, while clouds and shorter winter days reduce production.
- Costs, incentives, and export credits vary by system and utility, so compare estimates with your electricity bill and confirm current program rules.
Myrtle Beach Electricity Prices
Electricity rates shape what Myrtle Beach households pay—and can make long-term energy planning more important.
South Carolina’s average residential electricity price rose from 12.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024, about a 9% increase. These are statewide figures, not Myrtle Beach-specific rates.
Solar panels can generate electricity at home, potentially reducing how much power a household buys from the utility. In Myrtle Beach, results depend on roof condition, shade, energy use, and utility rules.
Over time, using solar to meet part of a home’s electricity needs may help limit exposure to rising rates. Its long-term value depends on system cost, output, maintenance, and how utility policies credit excess power.
Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average
Myrtle Beach Area Utility Providers
For Myrtle Beach, Santee Cooper is the utility shown in the available local comparison. The latest figures provided are from 2023: its electricity rate was 11.4¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), below both South Carolina and U.S. averages.
Santee Cooper’s 2023 rate was 2.3¢ per kWh below South Carolina’s 13.70¢ average and 4.6¢ below the national average of 16.0¢. These figures show the difference, but do not explain what caused it.
These are 2023 rates, not current prices. Electricity rates affect how much solar production may offset utility charges; a lower per-kWh rate can mean a smaller charge offset for each unit, so compare solar estimates with your actual bill.
Myrtle Beach Utilities Electricity Rates
South Carolina Solar Incentives
For Myrtle Beach homeowners, state and utility programs may help offset solar costs. See these solar incentives in South Carolina and review eligibility, which varies by program.
Available programs include South Carolina’s TC-38 tax credit; utility-specific export bill credits; Santee Cooper solar and community-solar rebates; Dominion community-solar credits for eligible customers; and Duke battery incentives for participating nonresidential customers.
Though the Big Beautiful Bill eliminated the federal 30% residential credit, other programs remain. With LightReach leasing, Palmetto handles the commercial ITC and passes savings through lower payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Solar Energy System Credit (TC-38) | State Income Tax Credit | South Carolina taxpayers who own and install a qualifying solar system may claim a nonrefundable credit of 25% of eligible costs, subject to annual limits and a 10-year carryforward. | Learn More |
| South Carolina Solar Choice and Utility-Specific Net Metering / Export Compensation | Net Metering / Net Billing | Solar customers may receive bill credits for exported electricity under utility-specific tariffs, but South Carolina does not provide one uniform statewide export-credit rate. | Learn More |
| Santee Cooper Solar Home Rebate | Utility Solar Rebate | Eligible Santee Cooper residential customers may receive $950 per kilowatt of qualifying solar capacity, up to $5,700, after meeting program and interconnection requirements. | Learn More |
| Santee Cooper Solar Share Home | Community Solar Rebate | The published 2026 Solar Share Home program offers a Santee Cooper rebate of $750 per subscription block, up to $4,500, subject to program terms and availability. | Learn More |
South Carolina’s TC-38 credit is 25% of eligible solar system purchase and installation costs. The amount used in a tax year is limited to the lesser of $3,500 per facility or 50% of the taxpayer’s South Carolina income-tax liability; unused credit may be carried forward for up to 10 years. The credit is nonrefundable.
The taxpayer must own the qualifying system installed at a facility in South Carolina, so a renter or a customer whose system is leased generally cannot claim the credit. Eligible costs may include equipment and installation expenses. SCDOR guidance says a battery connected to a solar system and charged entirely by solar may qualify; a standalone or grid-charged battery does not qualify under that guidance. Claimants should review the current TC-38 instructions and retain invoices and system documentation.
South Carolina’s solar billing benefit depends on the electric utility, the customer’s tariff, and sometimes the date of the interconnection application. Investor-owned utilities use Solar Choice or other approved tariff options; credits for exported energy can depend on time of use, and fixed or non-bypassable charges may still apply. Older customers may have different transition or grandfathering terms.
Electric cooperatives and municipal utilities may set their own interconnection and export-credit rules, so their terms should not be assumed to match Duke Energy or Dominion Energy. Before signing an installation contract, homeowners should obtain the applicable tariff in writing and check export-credit values, monthly charges, annual or monthly true-up rules, and any battery-export limits.
Santee Cooper’s Solar Home program offers a rebate of $950 per kilowatt for a qualifying residential solar installation, up to a maximum of $5,700. The rebate applies to the solar-electric portion of the project, not the battery portion.
The system must meet Santee Cooper’s program and interconnection requirements and be installed by a Solar Energy Trade Ally. The utility issues the rebate after final acceptance testing and meter exchange. Homeowners should confirm current funding, eligible system specifications, and application steps with Santee Cooper before committing to a project.
Santee Cooper’s 2026 Solar Share Home offer provides a rebate of $750 per block, up to $4,500, for an eligible community-solar subscription. This is a subscription benefit, not a rebate for installing a rooftop solar array or battery at your home.
Block size, subscription charges, eligibility, and available funding are governed by the current application and program contract. Review those documents and confirm that enrollment is still open with Santee Cooper before relying on the rebate.
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 QuoteMyrtle Beach 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.
Myrtle Beach’s sunny summers and long days support strong solar production, while clouds, coastal storms, and shorter winter days can reduce it. With a well-designed system, solar can work year-round.
Solar Production in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
We’ve organized solar installations across the country and are excited to share this interactive map of Myrtle Beach. Explore the hexagons to see how many homes have gone solar in each area, and discover the neighborhoods and communities where your neighbors have made the switch.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Myrtle Beach
Verify the license
South Carolina does not have one single solar-contractor license. Residential solar-electric work requires credentials that cover the work being done. Electrical work requires a residential-builder specialty registration with an electrical classification or a residential-builder license. Roof-mounted systems also require the appropriate roofing specialty registration or a residential-builder license; added structural framing may require a carpenter classification. Ask which contractor is responsible for each part of the job and for their credential details. Check them through the South Carolina solar licensing guidance, and confirm that credentials cover your project.
Look for certified installers
Ask whether the people designing and installing your system hold a current NABCEP certification, and what work it covers. Also ask about certifications or qualifications from the manufacturers of the panels and inverters in your quote. These credentials can help you assess an installer’s training or familiarity with specific equipment, but they do not replace checking licenses, references, contract terms, and the proposed system. Compare the credentials of the people who will do the work—not just the company’s marketing claims.
Compare quotes the same way
Request written proposals with the same assumptions so you can compare the system and the full cost, not just a headline price. Check each quote for:
- System size in kW and price per watt.
- Panel and inverter brands and models.
- Estimated annual production in kWh/year, and the assumptions behind the estimate.
- Warranty terms for panel product and performance, inverter, workmanship, and roof penetrations.
- Who obtains permits and handles utility interconnection.
- Total cost or monthly payment, plus any escalator and the terms that explain how payments may change.
If proposals differ, ask each installer to explain the difference in equipment, scope, or assumptions before deciding.
Permits, interconnection and your HOA
Building and electrical permits come from the local authority having jurisdiction, typically the city or county building-code office; requirements depend on the property’s jurisdiction. The homeowner or installer applies for interconnection to the electric utility serving the home. Depending on your address, South Carolina utilities include Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.; Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; South Carolina Public Service Authority; and Duke Energy Progress – (NC). Confirm your provider and ask who submits the application and tracks approval. South Carolina has no enacted law preventing an HOA from banning or restricting residential rooftop solar; state solar guidance says HOAs may restrict panel placement. Review your HOA’s requirements before signing.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day or before you have compared written proposals.
- Unlicensed contractors or out-of-state crews whose credentials and responsibility for the work are unclear.
- Vague production estimates without a clear annual kWh figure or explanation.
- A large upfront deposit without clear written payment and project terms.
- Promises that you can claim federal homeowner tax credits for a 2026 purchase; those credits ended December 31, 2025.
Leasing Solar Panels
Solar financing in Myrtle Beach depends on your electric utility. Santee Cooper, identified as a local provider, is not currently eligible for Palmetto LightReach, so its customers cannot access a LightReach lease or PPA. Check your bill to confirm your utility.
Palmetto LightReach PPAs are available to eligible customers served by Duke Energy Progress, Duke Energy Carolinas, or Dominion Energy South Carolina. With a PPA, you pay per kilowatt-hour produced, so payments may be higher in sunny summer months. A lease instead has a fixed monthly payment. Learn more about buying or leasing solar.
Where offered, a PPA can avoid a large upfront cash purchase, and LightReach includes system maintenance and protection. Cash buyers own the system but take responsibility for maintenance. See LightReach details.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Myrtle Beach residents served by Santee Cooper have monthly net metering. At the end of each billing month, electricity used is netted against electricity sent to the grid.
If a home exports more power than it uses, Santee Cooper credits the excess at 4.16¢/kWh in summer and 3.84¢/kWh during non-summer months. There is no annual true-up; bills are settled monthly. Rules may differ if your utility is not Santee Cooper.
Yes, an owned solar system may increase a Myrtle Beach home’s value. A Zillow study found homes with solar panels sold for about 4.1% more on average. That figure is not a guarantee; value depends on the system, roof condition, energy use, and local utility rules.
This potential increase applies to solar panels the homeowner owns, not leased or third-party-owned systems. With a lease or PPA, a buyer may need to assume the agreement, which can affect resale differently.
In Myrtle Beach, eligible homeowners can use a LightReach lease to go solar with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment. The calculator above estimates $93 per month for a medium home; payments vary by home size. LightReach is not available to Santee Cooper customers.
A cash purchase is another option. The calculator estimates system costs of about $16,820–$25,605 before incentives; the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases after the 2025 federal law change. See the calculator above for specific estimates.
A solar lease means the provider owns the panels; you pay monthly to use them. For an eligible Myrtle Beach home, a 7.38 kW system is estimated at $93/month, based on SC’s 1,442 kWh/kW/year production ratio and $0.105/kWh. No upfront cost.
Palmetto LightReach includes the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, protection, and a 90% production guarantee in one payment. Payments may be below your electric bill, creating day-one savings. Santee Cooper customers are ineligible; confirm utility availability.
Palmetto Solar is a solar company serving Myrtle Beach, SC. We’re a national company with a local focus and have completed 1,145 installations in South Carolina since 2020, working with an installation network to serve homeowners across the state.
To decide whether we’re the right fit, compare system designs, total costs and financing terms, and ask how the proposal accounts for your roof, shade, electricity use, and utility rules. These local factors affect how much a Myrtle Beach home may benefit from solar.
A typical 7.38 kW solar system in Myrtle Beach can produce about 11,000 kWh per year. The article’s NREL PVWatts-based estimate is 10,389 kWh annually for a 7 kW system.
Output is higher on sunny, long summer days and lower in winter. Your roof’s direction and condition, shade, weather, and system design can change actual production.
Solar panels are low maintenance in Myrtle Beach. Rain often washes away light dust, but check occasionally for debris or shading and have any damage inspected, especially after coastal storms.
With LightReach, Palmetto owns the system and handles monitoring, maintenance, and repairs at no extra cost, with a 90% Production Guarantee. LightReach is not available to Santee Cooper customers, so check your utility and agreement terms.