Solar Panel Costs in South Carolina (2026)
Avg cost: $2.80/watt | 5 sun hours/day | Good
South Carolina Solar Overview
$2.80/W
Cost Per Watt
5 hrs
Peak Sun Hours
2,800 MW
Installed Capacity
Good
Solar Rating
A typical 7 kW residential system in South Carolina costs $17,640 before the federal tax credit and $12,348 after. With 5 peak sun hours per day, the system produces approximately 10,220 kWh annually, saving an estimated $1,635/year. The payback period is approximately 7.6 years.
Net Metering in South Carolina
Available at retail rate for systems under 20 kW (varies by utility)
State Incentives & Tax Credits
Federal ITC (30%)
Save $5,292 on a 7 kW system. Available through 2032.
South Carolina State Incentive
State tax credit of 25% (max $3,500 per year for 10 years); sales tax exemption
Solar Service Costs in South Carolina
| Service | Low | High | SC Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Solar Installation | $13,500 | $27,000 | $20,250 |
| Commercial Solar Installation | $45,000 | $180,000 | $90,000 |
| Battery Storage Installation | $4,500 | $13,500 | $9,000 |
| Solar Panel Removal | $1,350 | $4,500 | $2,700 |
| Solar Panel Cleaning | $135 | $540 | $270 |
| Inverter Replacement | $900 | $3,150 | $1,800 |
| Solar Roof Tiles | $36,000 | $67,500 | $49,500 |
| Solar Water Heater | $2,700 | $6,300 | $4,500 |
Top Solar Installers in South Carolina
- Palmetto Solar
- Sunrun
- Freedom Solar
Always verify NABCEP certification, state licensing, insurance, and customer reviews. Get at least 3 written quotes.