Best Solar Companies in Columbia, South Carolina

We’ve talked to dozens of South Carolinians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Columbia residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

Solar panel costs in Columbia

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $8,995 to $25,700 in South Carolina. Prices in Columbia are comparable, ranging from $8,855 to $25,300.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Columbia’s net metering program.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Columbia household needs a system with a capacity of 10.33 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in Columbia

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Is solar worth it in Columbia?

Solar panels are generally worth it in South Carolina if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Columbia homeowners with solar panels can avoid $62,231 in total utility costs over 25 years.

Switching to solar is also worth considering for the environmental benefits. The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 8.5 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process. Trasonda in Columbia said it cost $10,000 to remove the panels, and “the actual roof and damages could exceed $20k easily.”

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

How to find a reputable solar company in Columbia

In our experience, the best solar companies in South Carolina have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent. Watch out for door-to-door solar scams that attempt to gather your personal information, misleading claims, false advertising and aggressive sales tactics.

• Check certifications: Residential solar contractors need to have a Certificate of Authorization in electrical work, and a licensed electrician must be at each job site, according to the South Carolina Energy Office. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes

Residential solar panel incentives in Columbia

The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is still the best incentive for most homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in South Carolina to maximize savings. For instance, there is a property tax exemption on solar equipment.

A solar property tax exemption means that — for tax purposes — the addition of a solar energy system won’t result in an increase in your property's assessed value. Essentially, your property tax bill won’t go up because your solar panels increase the market value of your home.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Columbia, South Carolina. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Columbia customers were given preference.

Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. Sunrun
2. Freedom Solar Power
3. ShopSolar