South Carolina Solar Calculator

Enter your utility and monthly bill — get system size, 30% federal ITC savings, retail net metering value, property tax exemption, and 25-year payback for SC homeowners.

Your South Carolina solar inputs

Monthly electric bill?

Utility company?

System size?

Battery backup?

South Carolina solar estimate

20 × 400W panels (8 kW system)

Recommended size for your bill: 9.6 kW

Monthly usage1,077 kWh/mo

Annual production (SC 4.7 PSH)10,979 kWh/yr

Annual savings (retail net metering)$1,427/yr

Gross system cost ($3.10/W)$24,800

Federal ITC (30%)-$7,440

Net cost after ITC$17,360

Property tax exemption (est., 20yr)$2,133

Property tax exemption capUp to $25,000 added value

Payback period12.2 yrs

25-year savings$35,682

South Carolina requires utilities to offer retail-rate net metering. Your exported solar credits at the full retail electricity rate. SC has no state solar tax credit, but the 30% federal ITC and property tax exemption (up to $25,000 of added home value) provide solid incentives.

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your bill and select your utility

South Carolina has three major utilities: Duke Energy SC serves the Upstate including Greenville, Spartanburg, and the Charlotte suburban areas at around $0.13/kWh; Dominion Energy SC (formerly SCE&G) covers the Midlands including Columbia and the Charleston metro at around $0.12/kWh; and Santee Cooper, a state-owned public utility, serves Berkeley, Horry, Georgetown, and surrounding coastal counties at around $0.11/kWh. Select your utility to calibrate your rate accurately.

South Carolina net metering at retail rates

South Carolina law requires investor-owned utilities (Duke Energy SC and Dominion Energy SC) to offer net metering at the retail rate. When your solar system produces more electricity than you use, the surplus is credited at the same rate you pay — maximizing your savings. Santee Cooper, as a state-owned utility, also offers net metering to customers. This retail-rate credit applies for all surplus energy and rolls over monthly, settled annually.

Property tax exemption up to $25,000

South Carolina exempts the first $25,000 of solar-related property value increase from local property taxes. Unlike most states where the entire solar system value is exempt, SC caps the exemption at $25,000 of added home value. For most residential systems (under 10 kW), this covers the full assessed increase. SC property tax rates average 0.43-0.55% of value, making this exemption worth $215-$550 per year depending on your county.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ Electricity Rate Annual Production = System kW × 1000 × 4.7 PSH × 365 × 0.80 efficiency ÷ 1000 Annual Savings = Annual Production × Retail Rate (SC retail net metering) Gross Cost = System kW × 1000 × $3.10/W + Battery ($12,000 if added) Federal ITC = Gross Cost × 30% Net Cost = Gross Cost − Federal ITC Property Tax Savings = min(System Cost, $25,000) × 0.43% × 20 years Payback = Net Cost ÷ Annual Savings

South Carolina uses 4.7 peak sun hours (PSH) as a statewide average. The coast and Lowcountry (Charleston, Myrtle Beach) average 4.9 PSH; the Midlands around Columbia average 4.7 PSH; the Upstate (Greenville) averages 4.5 PSH due to more cloud cover. At $3.10/W installed, South Carolina is slightly above the national average — the coastal premium and smaller installer market add cost. The 30% federal ITC remains the primary incentive as SC has no state solar credit.

Example

David — Charleston Dominion Energy SC customer

David is in Charleston paying $140/month for electricity at $0.12/kWh. He wants an 8 kW system to cover most of his usage.

Monthly bill$140 (Dominion SC, $0.12/kWh)

System8 kW, south-facing

LocationCharleston, SC (4.9 PSH)

Result

Annual production~10,970 kWh/yr

Annual savings (retail net metering)~$1,316/yr

Gross system cost ($3.10/W)~$24,800

Federal ITC (30%)-$7,440

Net cost after ITC~$17,360

Property tax savings (est.)~$430 over 20 yrs

Payback period~13.2 years

25-year savings~$32,900

David's payback is longer than southwestern states but still delivers nearly $33,000 in 25-year savings. The 30% ITC significantly reduces the net cost. South Carolina's mild winters mean solar produces year-round, and retail net metering ensures maximum credit for every kWh exported. Adding battery storage improves resilience during coastal storms, though it extends the payback period without a state battery incentive.

FAQ

Does South Carolina have net metering? ▼

Yes — South Carolina law (SC Code Section 58-40-10) requires investor-owned utilities to offer retail-rate net metering to residential solar customers. Duke Energy SC and Dominion Energy SC must credit your excess solar at your full retail electricity rate. Santee Cooper, while not bound by the same law as a state-owned utility, also offers net metering. Credits roll over monthly and are settled annually, with any remaining credit typically paid out or rolled into the next year. Net metering applies to systems sized to meet your own electricity needs — typically up to 20 kW for residential. The PSC (Public Service Commission) may periodically review net metering terms, so confirm current policies with your utility before installation.

Does South Carolina have a state solar tax credit? ▼

No — South Carolina does not currently have a state solar income tax credit. The state previously had a 25% tax credit (SC Code 12-6-3587) which expired and was not renewed. SC residents rely on the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), the property tax exemption, and retail net metering as their primary financial incentives. Despite no state credit, the 30% ITC is a powerful incentive — a $25,000 system qualifies for $7,500 in federal tax credits. Check for any updated state programs with the SC Energy Office, as legislation can change.

How does the SC property tax exemption work? ▼

South Carolina exempts the first $25,000 of added home value from solar from local property taxes (SC Code 12-37-3135). Solar increases home value, but the first $25,000 of that increase is not assessed for property taxes. For most residential systems (under 10 kW at $3.10/W = $31,000 gross), this covers nearly the full assessed value increase. SC property tax rates vary by county but average 0.43-0.55% for residential. On $25,000 of exempted value, you save roughly $107-137/year — about $2,150-2,750 over 20 years. The exemption is automatic — no application required, though notifying your county assessor is recommended to ensure correct assessment.

Is solar worth it in South Carolina? ▼

Yes — South Carolina offers solid solar economics despite average (not exceptional) sunshine. Key factors: (1) Retail net metering ensures full value for every kWh produced; (2) The 30% federal ITC reduces net cost by 30%; (3) Property tax exemption provides long-term savings; (4) SC's hot summers mean high electricity bills and excellent solar-to-usage overlap; (5) Solar adds home value — SC homes with solar sell faster and at a premium. The coastal areas (Charleston, Myrtle Beach) see the strongest economics with 4.9 PSH. Adding battery storage improves storm resilience — important given SC's hurricane exposure — but should be evaluated primarily as a resilience investment rather than a financial one given current rates.

What is Santee Cooper's solar policy? ▼

Santee Cooper is South Carolina's state-owned public utility serving Berkeley, Horry, Georgetown, and Marion counties. As a publicly owned utility, Santee Cooper is not subject to the same net metering law as investor-owned utilities, but it does offer a net metering program. Santee Cooper's rates are among the lowest in South Carolina at about $0.11/kWh. Lower rates mean longer payback periods for solar, but the 30% federal ITC still applies. Santee Cooper customers should contact the utility directly to confirm current net metering terms, interconnection requirements, and any applicable programs before installation.

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