Solar Panels Cost 10k-19k in Charleston, SC | September, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $10k-$19k in Charleston, SC | September, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Charleston, SC in 2024?

For solar panels in Charleston, SC, the cost per watt in September, 2024 is , on average, $3.13/W.

You should expect to pay $3,130, on average, for every 1000 watts (or 1 kW) of solar energy your solar panels will need to produce. We can come up with this number by applying this rate price cost per watt. When you consider the 30% federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel install in Charleston will cost approximately $10,955. Depending on your electricity consumption habits, you may need a bigger system.

By selecting your county on the left, you can determine the typical roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar panel systems in your area. You can also see an analysis of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county below.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Charleston: $10,955US Average: $12,598
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Charleston: 6 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Charleston: $20,381US Average: $15,732

Solar Potential in Charleston

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Charleston.

Roof size 697sq. ft.
Capacity 9.75kW DC
Electricity 12.5kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in Charleston, SC & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

For Charleston energy consumers, the average electric bill is $150.13 per month, with a usage of 1,058 kWh. Small apartments are also included in the statistics mentioned in the previous sentence. The lower energy use in these types of dwellings impacts those averages.

The average rate for electricity in Charleston, SC in September, 2024 is 14.19¢ per kWh.

If you’re a typical electricity user in Charleston you has to have a 9 kW or higher sized system to cover your full energy requirements. Upfront, a 9 kW setup is priced at $28,170, but after a 30% tax credit, the total cost is $19,719.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Charleston

To the left side and below, there is the cost summary for multiple sizes of the solar panel systems installed in Charleston. Of course, with a more extensive solar system, you will have a larger initial investment, but the benefits consist of higher electricity savings and larger income tax credits.

In the solar panel cost calculator situated to the right and below, you can examine a cost and benefit breakdown to match an average $150.13electric bill in Charleston. Adjust the $150.13 to align with your average electricity bill payment for more tailored results.

System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,076 a year
Est. Price
$10,955
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,689 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $90
  • Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.53 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 116 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,262 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,292 a year
Est. Price
$13,146
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 9,227 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $108
  • Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.04 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 139 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,515 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,507 a year
Est. Price
$15,337
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,765 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $126
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.54 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 163 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,767 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,722 a year
Est. Price
$17,528
Savings from a 8kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 12,303 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $144
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.05 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 186 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,020 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,938 a year
Est. Price
$19,719
Savings from a 9kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 13,841 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $150
  • Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.23 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 194 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,471 mi less a year

Charleston Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

With the REAP Grant, up to 100% and no less than 80% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines may be covered for rural small business owners and farmers. If you believe yourself eligible, we recommend utilizing our REAP Grant eligibility tool to confirm your qualification.

Almost all homeowners can qualify for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, making solar energy a sensible option in most parts of the country. Besides the federal incentives, state and local programs also work to boost solar energy uptake.

Multiple utilities and governmental bodies in South Carolina offer 8 solar rebate and incentive programs.

Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Corporate)

Value:Up to $3,500

South Carolina businesses are eligible for tax credits on the equipment and installation expenses of a new renewable energy system or energy-efficient building materials. Qualifying technologies include solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal as used to generate electricity or for heating/cooling. All system components are also eligible for credits. The credit is valued at 25% of costs up to $3,500 per property and $5,000 per company. To claim the credit, interested businesses should obtain the proper paperwork from the South Carolina Department of Revenue.

ConserFund Loan Program

Value:Varies

ConserFund is a loan initiative overseen by the South Carolina Energy Office. Loans support state/local agencies, public colleges and schools, and nonprofits in making energy efficiency improvements, including installing new renewable energy devices. Qualifying projects include building retrofit work, geothermal pumps, solar panels, or biomass systems. The available principal per loan varies from $25,000 to $500,000 depending on the nature of the project. The borrower has six months to begin installation from the time of the loan's disbursement. Qualifying public-sector borrowers may have 30% of their loan principal automatically forgiven.

Net Metering

Value:Varies

South Carolina electric customers using an interconnected solar or wind energy system may enter net metering agreements with their utility. Any system rated for under 20 kW (residential) or 1 MW (nonresidential) qualifies. The utility will install a bidirectional meter onto the system to measure net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. Customers will receive energy bill credits for the NEG they generate at a fixed avoided-cost rate. Excess bill credits that remain at the end of the year will be paid as a lump sum. Additional information is available from individual utilities. Utilities may set their own net metering terms within a certain domain.

South Carolina Municipalities - Green Power Purchasing

Value:Varies

In 2001, Santee Cooper established a Green Power Program allowing residential customers to purchase renewably-sourced energy at $3 for a 100 kWh block. Commercial customers may purchase 200 kWh blocks at $6. Any customer-member of a South Carolina electric cooperative, as well as customers in Georgetown, may participate. Additional information is available through the Santee Cooper website.

State Building Energy Standards

Value:Varies

New government buildings in South Carolina are subject to green construction requirements. Generally, new occupied state facilities should meet or exceed the standards for LEED Silver certification. Buildings receiving two Green Globes may also meet the standards. By 2020, existing buildings should take measures to cut energy consumption by 20% from a 2000 baseline. Exceptions apply to buildings of certain types, as well as any project where it is determined that project costs would exceed gained energy efficiency. Additional information is available from the South Carolina Energy Office.

Interconnection Guidelines

Value:Varies

Distributed generation and grid interconnection practices have been standardized in South Carolina since 2006. New renewable energy systems in the South Carolina Electric and Gas, Duke Energy, and Progress Energy service areas will be organized into three regulatory tiers based on capacity. A system's tier will determine available permitting processes, fees, review turnaround time, and safety/performance standards. The state requires all interconnected systems to have multiple external disconnect switches. Non-residential system owners are required to carry at least $300,000 of liability insurance on their system.

Renewable Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit

Value:Varies

In South Carolina, tax credits are available for businesses involved in the manufacture of renewable energy equipment. Qualifying equipment includes solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and a range of other technologies. The maximum available credit is $500,000 per year and $5 million per company. As a condition for receiving the credit, companies are required to invest a minimum amount in new manufacturing facilities, jobs, or other expenses. The required investment will vary from county to county. Additional information is available from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Personal)

Value:Varies

South Carolina homeowners are eligible for tax credits on the equipment and installation expenses of a new renewable energy system or energy-efficient building materials. Qualifying technologies include solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal as used to generate electricity or for heating/cooling. All system components are also eligible for credits. The credit is valued at 25% of costs up to $3,500 per property and $5,000 per taxpayer. To claim the credit, interested homeowners should obtain the proper paperwork from the South Carolina Department of Revenue.

Are solar panels worth it in South Carolina?

If your intention is to stay in your home beyond the solar payback period, installing solar panels is a wise option in Charleston. In Charleston, SC, the installation of a 5 kW solar system can save you an average of $25,076.2 over 20 years, with an average break even point of 6 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Charleston, SC

Without solar panels or another energy backup source, you lose out on the savings highlighted earlier and are completely dependent on your electric utility for power. Total dependence on your utility provider is not always ideal, as recent examples in the news have highlighted.

Annually, the average number of outages per customer in Charleston is about 1.18. On average, an outage lasts 115.56 minutes. When major events such as lightning strikes, construction accidents, or equipment failure occur, these durations can increase significantly

A solar panel system could alleviate the burden of future outages, even if it doesn't have a backup battery.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Charleston County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Charleston, SC?

Your Energy Needs - The cost per watt decreases with larger solar panel systems, even if the upfront cost is greater. Setting up a solar system that produces sufficient electricity to eliminate their electric bill is advantageous to most individuals, ensuring savings.

Make & Model - Just like many products, solar panels are offered in a wide variety of makes and models. Given the certain brand preferences an installer might have, choosing a highly rated installer is crucial. For buyers seeking a better long-term experience, choosing superior quality models is critical.

Solar Panel Type - The industry standard is now monocrystalline panels, and rightly so. Even though they are costlier, they provide more energy. The majority of installers work with panels made from this material.

Your Property - Challenges like trees, sloping terrain, or additional obstacles can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Nowadays, solar installers frequently leverage satellite images to assess your home and incorporate these elements into the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Differences in employee wages across companies result in expenses that are transferred to the consumers. Reviews for work and customer service are often higher for businesses that pay higher wages.

Permitting & Interconnection - Installation costs will be affected by regularly changing local permitting and utility interconnection fees, depending on the region. Good local installers will integrate these figures into your first estimates to prevent any surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other SC cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Charleston?

Freedom Forever

Temecula, CA(800) 685-1850

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Powur PBC

Del Mar, CA(866) 467-6987

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Renu Energy Solutions

Charlotte, NC(336) 565-7291

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of batteries.

SolFarm Solar co.

Asheville, NC(828) 332-3003

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Go Solar Power

Boca Raton, FL(800) 530-9597

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

SunPro Solar

Mandeville, LA(866) 599-3643

Services

  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Power Home Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.

Summit Energy Group

Weymouth Town, MA(888) 578-6648

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Palmetto Solar

Charleston, SC(855) 339-1831

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Silver Sun Solar

Deltona, FL(340) 227-7785

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Generac

Waukesha, WI(888) 436-3722

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Sunrun

San Francisco, CA(833) 394-3384

Services

  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Sigora Solar

Charlottesville, VA(434) 465-6192

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Knight Electric

Ogden, UT(801) 782-8219

Services

  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

City Electric Supply

Dallas, TX(866) 634-9853

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

PowerHome Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Solar Plus

Atlanta, GA(470) 378-1182

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Cinci Home Solar

Cincinnati, OH(513) 616-6044

Services

  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

R&C Construction Solar

Greer, SC(888) 748-9165

Services

  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Charleston, SC Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • In September, 2024, the typical price per watt for solar panels in Charleston, SC is $3.13/W. After federal tax credits, the installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Charleston, SC is estimated to cost $10,955.

  • There are 8 rebates and incentives available in South Carolina from a range of utility providers and government organizations. Additionally, almost everyone is entitled to the 30% federal income tax credit.

  • Paying cash offers the most savings, yet there are several financing options available today for solar panels that are also beneficial. Many installers work with financing partners and will provide this information in your initial quotes.

  • Yes, homeowners in Charleston, SC generally see a payback time of 6 years for 5 kW solar panel systems, with electricity savings averaging $25,076.2 over a 20-year period.
Matt Hope
Last Reviewed By: Matt Hope
Published: 2024-09-01