South Carolina
In This Guide
- 01 Solar Energy in South Carolina
- 02 Key Takeaways
- 03 South Carolina Reviews
- 04 Solar Cost Calculator
- 05 South Carolina Electricity Prices
- 06 South Carolina Solar Incentives
- 07 South Carolina Solar Production
- 08 Solar Installations in South Carolina
- 09 Leasing Solar Panels
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions
Solar in South Carolina
South Carolina homeowners are turning to solar energy as electricity prices jumped 11% from 2020 to 2024. With the state’s abundant sunshine and improving incentives, solar installation offers a clear path to energy independence and long-term savings.
Whether you’re exploring home solar panels for the first time or ready to make the switch, understanding your options is the first step toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina homeowners save $10,000 on average through federal tax credits and state incentives for solar installation.
- Solar panels in South Carolina pay for themselves in about 8 years while providing 25 years of savings.
- With 200+ sunny days annually, South Carolina offers excellent conditions for reliable solar energy production year-round.
Solar Cost in South Carolina
Our solar cost calculator uses real installation data from thousands of South Carolina homes in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and beyond. Get personalized pricing based on actual local projects, not estimates.
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Cost
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Looking for More Detailed South Carolina City Guides?
Explore our comprehensive solar guides for major cities across South Carolina to find location-specific information on incentives, installers, and solar potential.
South Carolina Electricity Prices
South Carolina’s electricity costs continue climbing, making energy bills a growing concern for homeowners across the state.
Electricity rates in South Carolina have risen from 12.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024, adding hundreds to annual energy bills.
Solar installation offers South Carolina homeowners a way to generate their own power and reduce dependence on rising utility rates year after year.
With South Carolina’s 200+ sunny days annually, solar panels can provide decades of predictable energy costs while utility rates continue their upward trend.
Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina Area Utility Providers
South Carolina residents served by major utilities like Duke Energy, Santee Cooper, Berkeley Electric, and Dominion Energy pay varying electricity rates, with 2023 data showing costs ranging from 11.4¢ to 14.4¢ per kilowatt-hour.
Most South Carolina utilities charge below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh, though slightly above the state average of 13.70¢, reflecting regional infrastructure costs and energy mix differences.
Understanding your utility’s rate structure helps evaluate solar’s long-term value, as fixed solar costs can provide predictable energy expenses while traditional electricity rates continue fluctuating with market conditions.
South Carolina Utilities Electricity Rates
South Carolina Solar Incentives
South Carolina solar installation becomes more affordable through federal and state solar incentives in South Carolina designed to reduce upfront costs.
These programs include tax credits, property tax exemptions, utility rebates, and net metering options that can significantly lower your solar investment while maximizing long-term savings.
Understanding available incentives helps you make informed decisions about solar installation timing and system sizing for your home.
$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 your solar system, including all necessary equipment like controls, tanks, pumps, and heat exchangers.
The financial benefit is substantial but has limits. You can claim up to $3,500 per solar installation, or 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 for up to 10 years to use against future tax bills. To qualify, your solar system must be installed on property you own in South Carolina and must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or a similar organization approved by the State Energy Office. The credit cannot be claimed until your system installation is completely finished, and you’ll need to file Form TC-38 with your state tax return to claim it.
South Carolina’s Property Tax Exemption program provides complete property tax relief for eligible homeowners who meet specific criteria related to military service, disability, or public service. This state tax exemption eliminates 100% of property taxes on qualifying homes and up to one acre of land, potentially saving homeowners thousands of dollars annually depending on their property value and local tax rates.
To qualify, you must be a totally and permanently disabled veteran with a service-connected disability, a disabled former law enforcement officer or firefighter injured in the line of duty in South Carolina, a paraplegic or hemiplegic person (including those with Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, or ALS causing similar mobility issues), or a Medal of Honor recipient or former Prisoner of War. The home must be your primary residence, and you must own it solely or jointly with a spouse. Surviving spouses may also qualify under certain conditions if they remain unmarried and continue living in the home.
Applications must be submitted within two years of when taxes were paid if you’re seeking a refund. You can apply online through MyDORWAY at MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov, by mail, or in person at South Carolina Department of Revenue service centers. Required documentation varies by exemption type but typically includes medical certifications, VA certificates, recorded deeds, and proof of owner-occupied status from your county assessor’s office. Some exemptions also cover up to two vehicles with additional documentation requirements.
Santee Cooper’s EmpowerSolar program is a utility rebate program that helps residential customers in South Carolina install solar panels on their homes. The program provides financial incentives to reduce the upfront cost of solar installation while allowing homeowners to generate their own clean energy and potentially lower their monthly electric bills.
The program offers a rebate of $950 per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity, with a maximum rebate of $5,700 per home. Santee Cooper also provides on-bill financing through their Smart Energy Loan Program for up to $40,000 for qualifying customers. However, participants must pay a monthly Distributed Generation fee of $10, which covers fixed grid costs that solar customers continue to use when their panels aren’t producing enough energy.
To be eligible, homeowners must use a Santee Cooper Trade Ally contractor for installation, as only systems installed by these qualified contractors are eligible for rebates. The rebate application process is handled through the chosen Trade Ally, and Santee Cooper uses DocuSign for streamlined processing. After installation and documentation submission, customers should allow 6-8 weeks for rebate delivery. The utility will install a bidirectional smart meter to track energy sold back to the grid, though homeowners need to monitor their system’s total production through their inverter’s online monitoring system.
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 be used to offset the electricity you draw from the grid 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 receive full retail credit for excess power. Others like Duke Energy require time-of-use rates and credit excess generation at reduced 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 net excess generation.
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, and Dominion Energy conducts an annual true-up in November where excess credits are paid out at lower wholesale rates before resetting your account to zero.
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 QuoteSouth Carolina Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. South Carolina’s humid subtropical climate and seasonal sun angles create unique solar conditions. Despite occasional cloudy days, proper system design maximizes year-round energy production effectively.
What Can the Average South Carolina Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 Installations in South Carolina
We’ve mapped every solar installation across the United States to show you something exciting: your South Carolina neighbors are embracing clean energy! Explore this interactive map to discover which communities near you have made the switch to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
Most South Carolina utilities don’t currently offer Palmetto’s LightReach program, but we’re working to expand availability. Instead of traditional solar leases that charge fixed monthly payments, LightReach offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where you pay for actual energy produced at a set rate per kilowatt-hour.
Unlike purchasing solar panels outright, our PPA means no upfront investment, no maintenance responsibilities, and immediate savings. Palmetto handles everything from design and installation to ongoing system monitoring and repairs, giving you clean energy without the complexity of ownership.
This approach offers predictable energy costs while utility rates continue rising, plus you benefit from professional maintenance and our 90% production guarantee. Learn more about solar financing options to find the best fit for your situation.
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 excellent financial sense in South Carolina. With over 200 sunny days annually and electricity rates rising 11% since 2020, solar panels provide both immediate savings and long-term energy cost protection.
South Carolina homeowners typically save around $10,000 through federal and state incentives, with systems paying for themselves in about 8 years while delivering $44,000 in total savings over 25 years.
Yes, South Carolina has net metering, but policies vary significantly by utility company. Most utilities offer some form of net metering or export credit programs, though the financial benefits differ substantially across providers.
Dominion Energy offers true 1:1 net metering, while Duke Energy ended their 1:1 program in 2021 and now credits excess generation at reduced rates of 2.6-4 cents per kWh. Cooperatives like Santee Cooper and Berkeley Electric offer export credit programs with rates ranging from 3.8 to 5.9 cents per kWh for power sent to the grid.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home value in South Carolina by approximately 4.1% according to research from Zillow. For the average South Carolina home valued at $180,000, this translates to roughly $7,400 in added value.
Additionally, South Carolina offers a property tax exemption for solar installations, meaning homeowners benefit from increased property value without paying additional property taxes on that solar-added value.
Solar installation in South Carolina typically costs $10,998 after incentives for a 7.29 kW system that covers 100% of average home electricity usage. Before incentives, the system costs around $20,711.
South Carolina homeowners save approximately $10,000 through the 30% federal tax credit ($6,213) and state incentives including the SC Solar Energy Credit ($3,500). Additional utility rebates may apply depending on your provider.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in South Carolina. With electricity rates rising 11% since 2020 and abundant sunshine, solar provides immediate savings and long-term protection against utility rate increases.
The average South Carolina homeowner saves $10,000 through incentives, with systems paying for themselves in 8 years while delivering $44,000 in total savings over 25 years.
We believe Palmetto Solar is the best choice for South Carolina homeowners. As a national company with local focus, we’ve completed 1,008 installations across South Carolina since 2020, giving us deep understanding of state-specific incentives and regulations.
We offer some of the industry’s best financing options and work with a trusted local installation network. Our comprehensive approach includes design, permitting, installation, and ongoing support to ensure your solar investment delivers maximum value for decades.