Is there a limit to the amount of solar panels a house can have in Columbia?

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.

How much to install solar panels in Columbia?

Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $3.4 in Columbia. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $34,000 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.

How much do solar panels add to house value in Columbia?

Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.

What direction should solar panels face in Columbia?

To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.

How many solar panel installers in Columbia?

Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 36 verified solar install companies in Columbia

Solar Energy in Columbia

Solar Rates, Incentives, Plans & Statistics

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Going solar in Columbia, SC

In Columbia, an average home needs a 8kW solar system in order cover most of their electricity needs. Given the average residential price-per-watt of $3.4 in Columbia, a 8kW system can cost around $27,200 depending on applicable rebates and other factors.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.

Columbia: $17,000US Average: $18,170

Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.

Columbia: 10 yearsUS Average: 11 years

Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.

Columbia: $17,726US Average: $14,954

Solar Potential in Columbia

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

Roof size 715sq. ft.

Capacity 10kW DC

Electricity 12.7kkWh AC per yr.

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Compare solar panels by system size in Columbia

Get the most value out of your roof by comparing the different benefits a given system size has.

System Size 4kW

Roof Size Min. space required

286 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $874 a year

Est. Price

$13,600

Savings from a 4kWthis system

Est. yearly production 6,104 kWh
Est. monthly savings $73
Full payback in 16 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.07 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 95 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,122 mi less a year

System Size 5kW

Roof Size Min. space required

358 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,093 a year

Est. Price

$17,000

Savings from a 5kWthis system

Est. yearly production 7,630 kWh
Est. monthly savings $91
Full payback in 16 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.59 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 119 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,402 mi less a year

System Size 6kW

Roof Size Min. space required

429 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,311 a year

Est. Price

$20,400

Savings from a 6kWthis system

Est. yearly production 9,156 kWh
Est. monthly savings $109
Full payback in 16 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.1 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 143 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,682 mi less a year

System Size 7kW

Roof Size Min. space required

501 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,530 a year

Est. Price

$23,800

Savings from a 7kWthis system

Est. yearly production 10,682 kWh
Est. monthly savings $127
Full payback in 16 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.62 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 166 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,963 mi less a year

System Size 8kW

Roof Size Min. space required

572 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,748 a year

Est. Price

$27,200

Savings from a 8kWthis system

Est. yearly production 12,208 kWh
Est. monthly savings $145
Full payback in 16 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.12 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 189 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,195 mi less a year

Current utility bill:

Columbia solar incentives, tax credit, and rebates

Columbia has 8 rebates and tax credits that you may be eligable for. Visit the official links for more details to see if you apply.

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.

Find out who’s the best installer in other SC cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.
Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $3.4 in Columbia. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $34,000 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.
Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.
To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.
Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 36 verified solar install companies in Columbia