Spartanburg, SC Solar Panels
In This Guide
- 01 Solar Energy in Spartanburg
- 02 Solar Cost Calculator
- 03 Spartanburg Reviews
- 04 Key Takeaways
- 05 Spartanburg Electricity Prices
- 06 South Carolina Solar Incentives
- 07 Spartanburg Solar Production
- 08 Solar Installations in Spartanburg
- 09 Choosing an Installer
- 10 Leasing Solar Panels
- 11 Frequently Asked Questions
Solar Power in Spartanburg
Thinking about solar installation in Spartanburg, SC? Your home’s roof, energy use, and local utility rules all help determine whether solar panels are a good fit. South Carolina electricity prices rose 11% from 2020 to 2024, so comparing solar with your current and future energy costs may be helpful.
This guide explains what to expect from solar panel installation in Spartanburg, including how to assess your home and understand system design. Start with our guide to home solar panels for a clear overview.
SOUTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Spartanburg, SC?
Explore solar installation costs in Spartanburg using Palmetto’s real South Carolina installation data. The calculator draws on local projects, including homes in nearby Boiling Springs, Duncan, and Inman, to help you understand what solar may cost in your area.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Solar’s fit depends on your home—roof space, electricity use, and utility rules all shape whether solar installation makes sense in Spartanburg.
- Compare buying and leasing to explore estimated system costs, monthly payments, and potential savings for different home sizes.
- Solar production shifts by season with longer summer days and shorter, cloudier winter days; utility export credits and incentives vary by eligibility.
Spartanburg Electricity Prices
Electricity prices shape the value of solar installation in Spartanburg, while statewide trends offer useful context.
From 2021 to 2024, South Carolina’s average residential electricity price rose from 12.9 to 14.1 cents per kWh, about 9%. The U.S. average climbed from 13.7 to 16.5 cents; these figures are not Spartanburg-specific.
Solar panels can generate some of a home’s electricity, reducing the amount purchased from the utility. That may limit exposure to future rate increases, though results depend on household use, system output, and utility billing rules.
Over time, generating electricity at home may help offset utility bills and make energy costs more predictable. Compare installation costs, expected production, maintenance, and applicable utility credits to assess potential long-term value; savings aren’t guaranteed.
Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average
Spartanburg Area Utility Providers
For Spartanburg, SC residents served by Duke Energy, the latest utility-rate data provided is from 2023. Duke Energy’s average electricity price was 12.7¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
In 2023, Duke Energy’s rate was below South Carolina’s 13.70¢/kWh average and the U.S. average of 16.0¢/kWh. These figures offer a snapshot for comparing local electricity costs with broader averages.
Comparing solar with utility electricity costs can help homeowners understand potential value over time. The outcome depends on factors such as a home’s energy use and solar system costs, so savings are not guaranteed.
Spartanburg Utilities Electricity Rates
South Carolina Solar Incentives
State and utility programs may help offset solar costs in Spartanburg. See solar incentives in South Carolina in the table below.
Options include the state TC-38 tax credit for eligible system owners; utility-specific export credits; Santee Cooper solar and Solar Share rebates; Dominion community-solar bill credits; and Duke PowerShare battery incentives for eligible nonresidential customers.
Dominion bill-assistance customers may qualify for community solar. Big Beautiful Bill ended federal 30% residential credit; LightReach leasing simplifies incentives: Palmetto handles commercial ITC, passing savings through lower monthly 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 |
| Duke Energy PowerShare Storage (South Carolina nonresidential program) | Utility Battery Storage Demand Response Incentive | Participating South Carolina nonresidential customers with qualifying battery storage may receive enrollment, monthly capacity, renewable-charging, and curtailment-event payments. | 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.
Duke Energy’s PowerShare Storage program is for qualifying nonresidential customers in South Carolina; it is not a residential battery rebate. Published payment terms include a one-time $120 per enrolled kilowatt connectivity credit, an additional $30 per kilowatt when the battery is charged using renewable energy, $3.50 per enrolled kilowatt per month subject to a system-loss factor, and $0.10 per kilowatt-hour for energy used during curtailment events.
Participants allow Duke to dispatch enrolled storage during approximately 30–36 events per year, with each event lasting up to four hours. Businesses should confirm eligibility, enrollment availability, equipment requirements, and final payment calculations directly with Duke Energy.
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 has four distinct seasons: long summer days boost production, while winter’s shorter days and cloudier weather can reduce it. Even so, a well-designed system can produce solar energy year-round.
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 organized solar installation data from across the country to create this interactive map of Spartanburg. Explore the hexagons to see how many nearby homes have gone solar and discover the neighborhoods and communities where your neighbors are making the switch.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Spartanburg
Verify the license
South Carolina does not issue one single “solar-contractor” license. The state’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), principally its Residential Builders Commission for residential 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. A roof-mounted system also requires the appropriate roofing specialty registration or a residential-builder license; added structural framing may require a carpenter classification. Ask which business and crew members will perform each part of the job, then check the credentials against that scope using South Carolina’s licensing guidance. If anything is unclear, confirm it with the state and your city or county.
Look for certified installers
Ask whether the people designing and installing your system hold a relevant NABCEP certification, and what the particular credential covers. Ask about manufacturer certifications, too: these may reflect product-specific training, but they are not a substitute for required state credentials. Treat certifications as one comparison point alongside experience, references, and clear answers about who will do the work.
Compare quotes the same way
Request written proposals with the same assumptions, then compare these items side by side:
- System size: the proposed capacity in kilowatts (kW), and the price per watt.
- Equipment: panel and inverter brands and models.
- Expected output: estimated production in kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year), plus the assumptions behind the estimate.
- Coverage: separate warranty terms for panel product and performance, inverter, workmanship, and roof penetrations.
- Project responsibilities: who obtains permits and submits the utility interconnection application.
- Cost and payment: total cost or monthly payment, and any payment escalator. Ask what is included and how the quote could change.
Palmetto’s reported median installed system is 7.5 kW, with about 83 days from signing to installation; use those figures as context, not as a target or promise for your home.
Permits, interconnection and your HOA
Building and electrical permits are handled by the local authority having jurisdiction, typically a city or county building-code office; the required permits depend on the property. The homeowner or installer applies for interconnection to the electric utility serving the address. Listed utility names include Dominion Energy South Carolina, Duke Energy Carolinas, South Carolina Public Service Authority, and Duke Energy Progress (NC); confirm which provider serves your property. For interconnections within Public Service Commission jurisdiction, the PSC sets the South Carolina Generator Interconnection Procedures and the utility processes the request. Ask your installer to identify the permitting office, utility, and application steps in writing. South Carolina has no enacted statute preventing an HOA from banning or restricting rooftop solar, and state guidance says HOAs may restrict panel placement. Check your association’s rules before committing.
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day, or reluctance to give you time to review the contract.
- Unlicensed or out-of-state crews, or unclear answers about which qualified people will perform the work.
- Vague production estimates, or a proposal that will not identify equipment, warranties, or project responsibilities.
- A large upfront deposit without clear written terms for what it covers.
- Promises that homeowners can claim federal tax credits for purchases in 2026; homeowner credits ended December 31, 2025.
If a problem arises, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs accepts consumer complaints and may refer matters to another agency. For alleged licensing or construction-standard violations, contact LLR and the relevant licensing board; LLR’s regulatory complaint process does not award monetary restitution. State solar guidance directs consumers to the Office of Regulatory Staff for utility interconnection or solar-lease concerns.
Leasing Solar Panels
For eligible homes in Spartanburg served by Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC), Palmetto’s LightReach PPA is available. Availability depends on your utility and address, so check your electric bill or confirm your service territory.
With a PPA, you pay a set price for each kilowatt-hour your panels produce, rather than a fixed monthly lease payment. Solar output—and therefore PPA charges—can vary by season. Over a year, total payments may be similar to a lease.
A PPA can avoid the upfront system purchase and, under the agreement, includes system service and maintenance—unlike paying cash and arranging upkeep yourself. Review the terms and compare buying and leasing solar before deciding.
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. Spartanburg homeowners may receive bill credits for solar electricity sent to the grid, but the rules depend on the electric utility serving the address.
For Duke Energy Carolinas customers, a time-of-use rate applies: exported power offsets imported power 1:1 in the same time period during the monthly billing cycle. Remaining excess is credited at a lower rate, generally about 2.7–4¢/kWh, and rolls over month to month. Check your utility tariff for current terms.
Solar panels can increase a home’s value in Spartanburg when the system is purchased and owned. Zillow’s study found homes with solar panels sold for approximately 4.1% more on average, but that national result is not a guaranteed local premium.
The effect depends on factors such as the system’s age, condition, energy production, and utility terms. Leased or other third-party-owned systems do not convey as owned equipment; resale may work differently if a buyer must assume the lease agreement.
In Spartanburg, homeowners can go solar with a LightReach lease for a low fixed monthly payment and no upfront cost. The calculator estimates about $93 per month for a medium-sized home; payment estimates vary with home size.
Cash purchase is another option. For a medium home, the calculator estimates $20,936 before its modeled South Carolina incentive and $17,436 after it. The federal 30% tax credit is no longer available for residential cash purchases following the 2025 federal law change. See the calculator above for estimates by home size.
In Spartanburg, a solar lease lets you use a system owned by Palmetto in exchange for a monthly payment, with no upfront cost. For a typical 7.38 kW system, the estimated payment is about $93 per month, based on South Carolina’s production ratio of 1,442 kWh per kW per year and an electricity rate of $0.105/kWh.
Palmetto’s LightReach lease includes the panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a protection program with a 90% production guarantee. The payment is typically less than a homeowner’s current electricity bill, so savings may begin once the system is operating; utility charges can still apply.
SC’s TC-38 offers qualifying system owners a nonrefundable credit of 25% of eligible costs, capped at $3,500 per facility yearly and 50% of state tax liability; unused credit carries forward 10 years. Export credits vary by utility.
Santee Cooper rebates, Dominion community-solar credits for bill-assistance customers, and Duke PowerShare battery payments for nonresidential users may apply. The 30% federal residential credit is no longer available for cash purchases after 2025; Palmetto says LightReach leasing uses the commercial ITC, passing savings through lower payments.
Solar can be financially worthwhile in Spartanburg when the cost of the system is lower than the electricity costs it offsets. With a LightReach lease, homeowners can start saving from day one: the monthly lease payment is typically less than their current electricity bill, with no upfront investment required.
Your actual savings depend on your home’s energy use, roof, system production, and utility billing rules. You may still receive a utility bill for electricity you use when panels aren’t producing, plus applicable fixed charges.
In Spartanburg, a typical 7.38 kW home solar system could produce about 10,700 kWh per year. The article’s NREL PVWatts-based estimate is about 10,200 kWh annually for a 7 kW system.
Actual output depends on roof direction and pitch, tree shade, and local weather. Production is generally higher in summer and lower during Spartanburg’s shorter, cloudier winter days.