Solar Panels Cost 11k-20k in South Carolina | August, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $11k-$20k in South Carolina | August, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in South Carolina in 2024?

The average cost per watt of solar in South Carolina in August, 2024 is $3.3/W.

It will cost $3,300, on average, for every 1K (or 1000 watts) of capacity that your solar panels have. In South Carolina, you can expect to pay about $11,550 for a 5 kW solar panel install after deducting the 30% federal income tax credit. To satisfy your energy demands, you may need a bigger system.

To the left, you can select your county to access information on the typical roof size and the maximum capacity of residential solar for houses in your area. Below, you can see a full analysis of the costs, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
South Carolina: $11,550US Average: $12,634
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
South Carolina: 6 yearsUS Average: 8 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
South Carolina: $19,379US Average: $15,248

Solar Potential in South Carolina

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

Roof size 822sq. ft.
Capacity 11.5kW DC
Electricity 14.5kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in South Carolina & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

The typical monthly electric bill for a South Carolina energy consumer is $149.49, based on an typical usage of 1,061 kWh. Be mindful that this statistic includes apartments and smaller homes that usually have reduced electricity demands.

The average electricity rate in South Carolina in August 2024 is 14.08¢ per kWh.

The average electricity user in South Carolina will require 9 kW or higher solar setup to meet their entire electricity consumption requirements. You can expect to pay about $29,700 for 9 kW solar system before incentives, but the federal tax credit gives you 30% back, lowering the cost to $20,790.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in South Carolina

On the left and below, there is the price breakdown for multiple sizes of solar panel systems set up in South Carolina. As expected, with a more extensive solar system, you'll see a larger initial investment, but the rewards include more electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.

In the solar panel cost calculator located down and to the right, you can examine a cost and benefit breakdown to match an average $149.49 electric bill in South Carolina. If you seek more tailored results, just change the $149.49 to whichever your typical electricity bill is.

System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,095 a year
Est. Price
$11,550
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,775 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $91
  • Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.52 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 116 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,239 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,314 a year
Est. Price
$13,860
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 9,330 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $109
  • Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.02 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 139 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,487 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,533 a year
Est. Price
$16,170
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,885 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $128
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.53 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 162 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,735 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,752 a year
Est. Price
$18,480
Savings from a 8kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 12,440 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $146
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.03 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 185 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,983 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,971 a year
Est. Price
$20,790
Savings from a 9kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 13,995 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $149
  • Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.12 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 189 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,188 mi less a year

South Carolina Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

The REAP Grant can potentially cover between 80% and 100% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines for rural small businesses and farms. Verify if you are eligible by utilizing our REAP Grant eligibility tool.

With the availability of a 30% federal income tax credit, solar energy becomes a viable solution for almost all homeowners, especially in various parts of the country. State and local efforts are also in place to boost the growth of solar energy use.

A total of 10 solar incentive and rebate programs are available in South Carolina from multiple utilities and government organizations.

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.

Santee Cooper - Rooftop Solar Rebate Program

Value:Up to $6,300

Residential and small commercial Santee Cooper customers may be entitled to rebates on new rooftop solar panels used for photovoltaic energy. Installations must be performed by a participating contractor and meet certain performance and safety standards. Additional information is available from the Santee Cooper website.

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.

Santee Cooper - Renewable Energy Resource Loans

Value:Varies

Residential Santee Cooper customers may be eligible for special financing on new solar PV, wind, biomass, or energy-efficient water heating projects. Qualifying systems should be installed by a participating contractor and meet the requirements for grid interconnection and net billing. The maximum available principal per loan is $40,000, to be repaid over ten years at a low interest rate. To apply, customers should schedule an energy efficiency audit with a Santee Cooper representative and obtain preapproval for the interconnection of their system. Additional information is available from the Santee Cooper website.

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?

Expecting to stay in your house beyond the solar payback period? Solar panels are a good investment in South Carolina. If you install a 5 kW solar system in South Carolina, you might save $24,328.51 over 20 years on average, with a break even point at around 6 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in South Carolina

Skipping solar panels or an alternative backup energy source results in you'll miss out on the savings mentioned above and be completely dependent on your electric utility for power. Full reliance on your utility provider is not always ideal, as recent examples in the news have highlighted.

Residents in South Carolina have faced around 1.2 outages per year on average. Outages generally last for an average of 118.88 minutes. During major occurrences like winter storms, wildlife damage, or grid management errors, these times can extend significantly.

View the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in South Carolina.

A solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could mitigate the effects of future outages you might face.

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in South Carolina?

Your Energy Needs -Investing in larger solar panel systems costs more upfront, but the price per watt is reduced as the system size grows. Most consumers find it useful to install a solar system that can produce enough electricity to offset the entirety of their electric bill. This approach makes the most sense for optimal savings.

Make & Model - Similar to many other products, there are different makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment to choose from. Given the certain brand preferences an installer might have, picking a highly rated company is crucial. The choice of better materials can substantially better the long-term experience for buyers.

Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the standard in the industry, and deservedly so. Although the cost is more, they yield more energy. Many installers use these panels.

Your Property - Each home and property is unique in its own way. Rough terrain, trees, or additional obstacles may complicate the installation. These days, solar installers frequently utilize satellite images to evaluate your home and include these elements into the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Companies pay varying pay rates to their employees, which are then passed on to the prices consumers pay. Businesses typically garner higher reviews for their services and customer service when they pay higher wages.

Permitting & Interconnection - Your final installation cost will be influenced by local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary by area. Reputable local installers will integrate these numbers into your preliminary quotes to prevent any surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other SC cities

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Who are the best solar installers in South Carolina?

Freedom Forever

Temecula, CA(800) 685-1850

Services

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

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

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.

Emerald Energy

Raleigh, NC(919) 247-3670

Services

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

Go Solar Power

Boca Raton, FL(800) 530-9597

Services

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

SunPro Solar

Mandeville, LA(866) 599-3643

Services

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

Power Home Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

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.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

RayWell Solar

Charleston, SC(843) 203-0320

Services

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

Summit Energy Group

Weymouth Town, MA(888) 578-6648

Services

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

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.

Silver Sun Solar

Deltona, FL(340) 227-7785

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.

Hannah Solar

Atlanta, GA(404) 736-7244

Services

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

Generac

Waukesha, WI(888) 436-3722

Services

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

Boss Energy

Charleston, SC(843) 864-7503

Services

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

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

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

Sigora Solar

Charlottesville, VA(434) 465-6192

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.

Centroplan USA

Greer, SC(617) 657-1313

Services

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

Knight Electric

Ogden, UT(801) 782-8219

Services

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

PowerHome Solar

Mooresville, NC(704) 870-3670

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.

Solar Plus

Atlanta, GA(470) 378-1182

Services

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

Cinci Home Solar

Cincinnati, OH(513) 616-6044

Services

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

R&C Construction Solar

Greer, SC(888) 748-9165

Services

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

South Carolina Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • As recorded in August, 2024, the standard cost for solar panel installations in South Carolina is $3.3/W. After federal tax credits, the installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in South Carolina is estimated to cost $11,550.

  • Homeowners in South Carolina can take advantage of 10 different rebates and incentives from a variety of utility companies and government agencies. In addition, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to almost everyone.

  • Even though cash payments provide the greatest savings, numerous financing options for solar panels today are also advantageous. Information about financing options is typically provided in initial quotes provided by installers.

  • Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback period in South Carolina stands at 6 years, yielding average electricity savings of $24,328.51 over 20 years.

  • Although there is no state program in South Carolina to pay residents for solar installations, the 30% federal tax credit is available to all Americans.

  • In South Carolina, there aren't any programs that provide free solar panels, but the 30% federal income tax credit, which most US citizens qualify for, can greatly diminish the cost of solar panel installation.
King Manalo
Last Reviewed By: King Manalo
Published: 2024-08-15