Solar Quotes in South Carolina

Solar Choice Metering

• Customers who applied for net metering on or after January 1, 2022 are billed under the Solar Choice Metering permanent tariffs set by the Public Service Commission under the Energy Freedom Act (Act 62 of 2019). Customers who applied between May 16, 2019 and May 31, 2021 keep full retail credit until May 31, 2029. Source: SC Office of Regulatory Staff, https://ors.sc.gov/consumers/electric-natural-gas/solar/south-carolina-energy-freedom-act (accessed 2026-10-20)
• Tariff details differ by utility (Dominion Energy South Carolina, Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress). ORS links to each docket from the page above.

State solar energy tax credit

• South Carolina allows an income tax credit of 25% of qualifying purchase and installation costs (S.C. Code 12-6-3587). Each year it's limited to the lesser of $3,500 per facility or 50% of your tax liability. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to 10 years. Source: SC Revenue Ruling #24-2, https://www.dor.sc.gov/income-tax-solar-energy-credit (accessed 2026-10-20)

A note on the federal tax credit

The federal residential clean energy credit (25D) doesn't apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. The IRS treats an expenditure as made when installation is completed. Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb (accessed 2026-10-20). This page isn't tax advice.

Is solar worth it in South Carolina?

It depends on your bill, roof and utility rules. Here is an estimate for a home with a $150 monthly electric bill and a south-facing, unshaded roof, before any incentives:

• Residential electricity averaged an estimated 15.93¢/kWh in South Carolina (January–July 2026), below the U.S. average of 18.19¢ (26 of 51, highest first). Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (accessed 2026-10-20)
• Small rooftop systems in South Carolina produced an estimated 1,637 kWh per kW of panels in 2024 (2024 small-scale solar generation divided by average 2023–2024 small-scale capacity). Source: EIA Electric Power Annual 2024, Tables 3.21 and 4.7.B (accessed 2026-10-20)
• Estimated system size: 5.1–6.9 kW, producing about 9,822 kWh a year (estimated).
• Estimated installed cost: $18,000–$31,200 before incentives, using $3.00–$5.20 per watt. Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2024 installed prices, 20th–80th percentile; accessed 2026-10-20)
• Estimated simple payback: 10–23 years. Savings depend on how your utility credits exported energy (see above).

Estimates only, based on public data and simple assumptions. Actual production, cost, and savings vary by home, utility, rate plan, and installer. Not a quote, and not a guarantee of savings. Ask your installer about any state, local, or utility incentives that apply. State and local programs: DSIRE.

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