WattBuy’s Guide to

Solar Energy in
South Carolina

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The State of Solar in South Carolina

Here are a few numbers showing how popular solar energy is in South Carolina and how much solar energy potential there is on average.

1,265

Houses with solar panels

(circa 2019)*

1,136 kWh

Average monthly energy use per household

11 kW

Average system size

1,160 kWh

Energy generated by average sized system

How much does solar cost in South Carolina?

Average solar panel installation

$26,286

Federal Incentives

$7,886

Total

$18,400

Average monthly bill without solar

$163

Average monthly bill with solar

$0

Solar will pay for itself in

10 years
Tax Credits Available

Free money (kind of)

The Inflation Reduction Act has made it easier and more affordable than ever to go solar, thanks to a 30% federal tax credit. This means that for every $10,000 you spend on solar panels, you can deduct $3,000 from your federal taxes.

LEARN MORE
Net Metering Available

Get paid for the extra solar you produce

Net metering policies in South Carolina can help solar panel owners save money and reduce their carbon footprint. When your solar panels generate more electricity than you use, you can send the excess back to the grid and receive credit on your next bill. Just something to keep in mind when considering solar panels.

Solar Incentives in South Carolina

Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Personal)See Details
Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Corporate)See Details
Santee Cooper - Renewable Energy Resource LoansSee Details
Santee Cooper - Rooftop Solar Rebate ProgramSee Details
Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Property Tax Exemption

The Solar Process

Getting solar panels may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you can expect.

1

Understand your energy needs

Take a closer look at your energy usage to determine how much solar power you'll require.

2

Get quotes and choose an installer

Reach out to multiple solar companies to gather quotes and select the one that best fits your needs and budget.

3

Design the system

Work with your chosen installer to design a solar system customized to your specific requirements and goals.

4

Obtain the necessary permit

Take care of the paperwork and permits required by local authorities before installing your solar panels.

This takes 9 days on average.

5

Install solar panels

Let the professionals handle the installation of your solar panels and related equipment.

This takes 18 days on average.

6

Inspection time

Have your newly installed solar system inspected to ensure it meets safety and quality standards.

This takes 10 days on average.

7

Lights on!

Connect your solar system to the electrical grid and start generating clean, renewable energy for your home or business.

This takes 11 days on average.

Solar Installers in South Carolina

Sunrun

sunrun.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, PA, PR, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WI

Freedom Forever

freedomforever.com

Coverage

AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI

Renu Energy Solutions

renuenergysolutions.com

Coverage

NC, SC

The SELSCO

www.theselsco.com

Coverage

SC

Palmetto Solar

palmetto.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NV, OH, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA

Sunny Energy

www.sunnyenergysolar.com

Coverage

AZ, SC

Tesla

tesla.com

Coverage

Nationwide

ADT Solar

www.adt.com/solar

Coverage

AK, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, LA, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA

Titan Solar Power

titansolarpower.com

Coverage

AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OH, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA

EMPWR Solar

empwrsolar.com

Coverage

SC

SolarTyme

www.solartyme.net

Coverage

NC, SC, VA

RC Construction Solar

rccsolarllc.com

Coverage

SC

Learn About Solar in These South Carolina Cities

AikenAndersonArcadiaArcadia LakesArialAtlantic BeachBeaufortBeech IslandBelvedereBereaBoiling SpringsBriarcliffe AcresBrookdaleBucksportBurnettownBurtonCamdenCane SavannahCarolina ForestCayceCentervilleCentralCharlestonCherryvaleCity ViewClearwaterClemsonCliftonColumbiaConverseConwayCordovaCowpensDalzellDarlingtonDaufuskie IslandDenny TerraceDentsvilleDewees IslandDraytonDuncanDuneanEasleyEast SumterEdistoElginFairforestFive ForksFlorenceFolly BeachForest AcresForestbrookFort MillFountain InnGanttGarden CityGastonGlendaleGlovervilleGolden GroveGoose CreekGranitevilleGreenvilleGreerHanahanHilton Head IslandHomeland ParkHopkinsIndia HookIndian LandInmanInman MillsIrmoIrwinIsle of PalmsJohns IslandJudsonKiawah IslandLadsonLady's IslandLake Murray of RichlandLake WylieLakewoodLancasterLancaster MillLangleyLaurel BayLesslieLexingtonLibertyLincolnvilleLittle RiverLongsLugoffLymanMauldinMayoMillwoodMount PleasantMulberryMurphy VillageMurrells InletMyrtle BeachN LitchfieldNew EllentonNewportNewryNorrisNorth AugustaNorth CharlestonNorth Myrtle BeachNorthlakeOak GroveOkatieOrangeburgOswegoParkerPawleys IslandPelionPendletonPickensPiedmontPine RidgePort RoyalPowdersvillePrivateerQuinbyRed BankRed HillReidvilleRiverviewRock HillRoebuckSaint AndrewsSaint Helena IslandSans SouciSaxonSenecaSeven OaksShaw Air Force BaseShell PointSimpsonvilleSocasteeSouth CongareeSouth SumterSouthern ShopsSpartanburgSpringdaleStartexSullivan's IslandSummervilleSumterSurfside BeachSwanseaTaylorsTega CayTravelers RestUticaValley FallsVaucluseWade HamptonWandoWarrenvilleWelcomeWellfordWest ColumbiaWilkinson HeightsWoodfield

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*Source: Project Sunroof