Spartanburg, SC Solar Panels
In This Guide
Solar Power in Spartanburg
Spartanburg homeowners are increasingly exploring solar panel installation — and the numbers help explain why. South Carolina electricity prices have risen 11% from 2020 to 2024, prompting many families in the Upstate SC region to look for more stable, long-term energy solutions. Our home solar panels guide is a helpful place to start.
At Palmetto, we believe informed homeowners make better decisions. This guide walks you through how solar installation works in Spartanburg, SC — and what you can realistically expect from the process.
SOUTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Spartanburg, SC?
Using real installation data from Spartanburg and surrounding areas like Duncan, Boiling Springs, and Inman, this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar installation actually costs for a home like yours.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Spartanburg gets 5.2 peak sun hours per day — giving local homeowners strong solar production year-round and real potential to reduce monthly electricity bills.
- South Carolina’s 25% state solar tax credit can save homeowners up to $3,500 per year, helping bring down the cost of going solar significantly.
- A typical Spartanburg home could save around $44,000 over 25 years with solar — even as local electricity rates continue to rise.
Spartanburg Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Spartanburg are rising — and understanding what you’re paying is the first step toward making a smarter energy decision.
South Carolina electricity rates climbed from 12.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents per kWh in 2024 — a nearly 10% increase in just three years. While still below the national average of 16.5 cents per kWh, the upward trend is clear.
Solar installation gives Spartanburg homeowners a way to reduce their dependence on the grid. By generating your own electricity, you’re less exposed to future rate increases — and more in control of what you pay each month.
A solar energy system is typically designed to last 25 years or more. For many Spartanburg households, that means decades of reduced electricity bills — even as utility rates continue to rise over time.
Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average
Spartanburg Area Utility Providers
In Spartanburg, SC, Duke Energy is the primary electricity provider. Based on 2023 data — the most recent available — Duke Energy’s rate was 12.7¢ per kWh, giving homeowners a clear baseline for understanding their energy costs.
That 2023 rate of 12.7¢ per kWh sits below both the South Carolina state average of 13.70¢ and the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh. Factors like regional fuel mix, infrastructure costs, and demand patterns all influence where local rates land.
Understanding your electricity rate is a practical first step when evaluating any energy decision. Even at 12.7¢ per kWh, knowing what you pay — and how it may shift over time — helps Spartanburg homeowners make informed choices about their energy future.
Spartanburg Utilities Electricity Rates
South Carolina Solar Incentives
Spartanburg homeowners have access to several solar incentives in South Carolina that can meaningfully reduce the cost of going solar — from state tax credits to utility rebates and net metering.
South Carolina offers a 25% state income tax credit, a full property tax exemption for qualifying systems, and utility programs through Santee Cooper and Duke Energy — including rebates, community solar options, and low-interest financing up to $40,000.
Note that recent federal legislation has eliminated the residential solar tax credit for 2026. For those considering a solar lease, Palmetto’s LightReach product applies the commercial solar tax credit and passes those 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 Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg 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. Electric cooperatives (e.g., Berkeley Electric, York Electric) offer monthly netting with excess credits at reduced rates ranging from roughly 3.8–5.9 cents per kWh.
Because net metering credit rates in South Carolina are generally below the retail electricity rate — especially for Duke Energy customers in Spartanburg — 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 QuoteSpartanburg 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.
Spartanburg enjoys nearly 213 sunny days per year, warm summers, and mild winters — making it a strong candidate for solar production year-round, despite occasional cloudy stretches.
Solar Production in Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg
We’ve mapped thousands of solar installations across the U.S. — including right here in Spartanburg. Explore the interactive map below to see which neighborhoods in your community have already made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to see local installation counts!
Leasing Solar Panels
If paying the full cost of a solar system upfront isn’t the right fit, Palmetto offers an alternative through LightReach, our solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) program. In Spartanburg, most homeowners are served by Duke Energy Progress or Duke Energy Carolinas — and both utilities are eligible for a PPA through LightReach.
With a PPA, you don’t own the system — Palmetto does. Instead of a fixed monthly payment, you agree to purchase the solar energy your panels produce at a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because solar panels produce more energy in summer than winter, your PPA bill will be slightly higher in warmer months and lower in cooler ones. Over the course of a year, the total cost is comparable to what a lease payment would be. You can learn more about the differences between buying and leasing solar here.
Compared to a cash purchase, a PPA means no large upfront investment and no responsibility for maintenance or repairs — Palmetto handles all of that. Since Palmetto owns the system, it also qualifies for the commercial solar tax credit, and those savings are passed through to you in the form of a lower per-kWh rate. For many Spartanburg homeowners, a PPA is a straightforward way to start saving on electricity without taking on the full cost or complexity of ownership.
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 sense for many Spartanburg homeowners. With 5.2 peak sun hours per day and rising electricity rates, a typical system can save around $44,000 over 25 years. South Carolina also offers a 25% state solar tax credit (up to $3,500/year) and a full property tax exemption for solar systems.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease removes that barrier entirely — you can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with Palmetto handling all maintenance.
Yes, Spartanburg homeowners have access to net metering, though the specifics depend on your utility provider. Most Spartanburg residents are served by Duke Energy Progress (DEP) or Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC), both of which offer monthly net metering. However, since June 2021, Duke Energy ended true 1:1 net metering — excess energy sent to the grid is now credited at a reduced rate of approximately 2.6–4 cents/kWh, well below the retail rate.
Because of these lower export credit rates, many Spartanburg solar homeowners benefit from pairing solar with battery storage, allowing you to use your excess energy directly rather than selling it back at a discount. Always confirm current net metering terms with your specific utility before installing.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Spartanburg. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. On a $300,000 Spartanburg home, that could mean over $12,000 in added value.
South Carolina’s 100% property tax exemption for residential solar systems means your assessed property taxes won’t increase due to your solar installation — so you gain the home value benefit without a higher tax bill.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Spartanburg homeowners can go solar for as little as $82–$102/month with no upfront cost — Palmetto owns and maintains the system. This is the most accessible way to go solar in 2026.
For a cash purchase, a typical Spartanburg home requires a 7.29 kW system priced around $17,211 after state incentives. Note that the federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential purchases following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Spartanburg homeowners, solar is financially worthwhile — especially through a lease. With Palmetto’s LightReach, your monthly payment is typically less than your current Duke Energy bill, meaning you can start saving from day one with no upfront cost.
For those who purchase outright, a typical Spartanburg system costs around $17,211 after South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit, with an estimated $44,000 in savings over 25 years — even as local electricity rates continue to rise.
We believe Palmetto Solar is the best choice for Spartanburg homeowners. As a national company with deep local roots, we’ve completed 1,008 installations across South Carolina since 2020 and have served 20,000+ customers in 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
What sets us apart is our flexible financing options — including our LightReach lease with no upfront cost — combined with a trusted install network, a 90% production guarantee, and ongoing maintenance support. We’re focused on making solar simple and accessible for Spartanburg families.
Palmetto’s LightReach is an all-inclusive solar lease — one monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 7.29 kW system in Spartanburg, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $92/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it qualifies for the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and those savings are passed directly to you through lower monthly payments — an advantage that cash purchases no longer offer. Most Spartanburg homeowners find the lease payment is less than their current Duke Energy bill, meaning savings start from day one.