Cost of Solar Panels in South Carolina (2026)

How much do solar panels cost in South Carolina?

With professional installation, a typical 8-kilowatt (kW) residential solar panel system in South Carolina costs $20,800. This doesn’t include the cost of a solar storage battery, which can add $7,000 to $18,000 to your total system costs. 

The size of your solar panel system is another big factor in your overall solar costs. A typical residential solar system is about 14.24 kW (kilowatts). Depending on your household energy usage, you might need a smaller or larger system.

Solar panel costs by system size in South Carolina

Are solar panels worth it in South Carolina?

We’ve talked to many South Carolina solar customers who chose to go solar to “reduce energy costs and become less dependent on fossil fuels,” like Gerald in McCormick.

Financially, it makes sense if your monthly payment for the panels is cheaper than your current electric bill. For example, Myron in Columbia said his monthly bill went from $560 to $88 after going solar — we’d say that makes going solar worth it. Over 25 years, homeowners with solar panels avoid $51,366 in utility costs on average.

Homeowners with solar panels typically save $20,000 to $90,000 over 25 years.

For some people, solar panels aren’t really worth it unless you also get a storage battery. A battery bank helps maximize the benefits of solar panels by reducing your reliance on the grid. They can be expensive (expect to pay $7,000 to $18,000) but also lead to greater long-term savings.

Overall, as long as your house is a good candidate for solar, it’s at least worth considering in South Carolina.

» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and cons

Solar panel installation cost factors in South Carolina

The equipment — solar panels, inverters, mounting hardware and other electrical accessories — is typically the largest portion of your overall total costs (approximately 25% to 50%). Labor, which includes planning, preparing and connecting your system to the grid, accounts for 10% to 30%. Local permits, fees and maintenance are a small part of your overall costs.

The average solar panel installation costs $2.60 per watt in South Carolina. “Cost per watt” is similar to the price per square foot when you buy a house. It helps you compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes.

Solar panels

Most of your solar equipment costs come down to how much you pay for solar panels. In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline. The difference comes down to efficiency and materials: Monocrystalline panels are made from pure, single silicon crystals; various silicon fragments melted together are used to make polycrystalline panels.

Additional solar equipment costs

Solar arrays also contain mounting equipment, wiring and other devices, such as inverters, batteries or a monitoring system.

• Solar batteries: A battery stores energy for later use. It’s a must if you want real energy independence, and they sometimes cost as much as the panels. Prices often depend on the battery’s storage capacity, life span, brand and other factors. Battery prices typically range $7,000 to $18,000, though some cost $30,000 or more.

• Solar inverter: Inverters convert the electricity generated by your solar panels from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverter costs usually range from $1,000 to $3,000.

• Monitoring system: Some companies include a solar monitoring system to track how much energy your system produces and if there are any problems. If not, you can buy a stand-alone monitoring system for $80 to $400.

Condition of your roof

Quality solar panels should last 25 to 30 years, and your roof needs to last just as long. If you want to ensure a seamless and cost-effective solar journey, your roof must match the system's longevity. Get your roof inspected, fixed or replaced before you go solar.

ConsumerAffairs often hears from disgruntled solar customers who felt blindsided by expensive roof repairs needed after their solar panel installation was complete. This is a frustrating and expensive process you should avoid if you can.

Labor costs

Solar equipment costs are going down, but labor costs are higher than ever in some areas. Installing solar panels yourself might initially seem cheaper because you'll save on labor costs. However, it's crucial to consider several factors for safety before going the DIY route. If not installed correctly, solar panels pose safety risks, causing roof leaks and other problems.

Other cost factors

When you’re going solar, there are some extra expenses to know about. Maintenance is usually pretty simple. You may have some additional costs for things like repairs, part replacements or even just a good cleaning now and then.

You’ll also pay for permit applications. Most towns require you to have a permit for solar installations, which adds to your total bill. While most solar companies include installation and labor in the overall price, it’s a good idea to double-check.

Solar incentives, tax credits and rebates in South Carolina

The 30% federal residential solar tax credit has expired, but South Carolina still offers several ways to lower solar costs.

• State tax credit: You can claim 25% of your solar costs, up to $3,500 per year, with unused credit carried forward.

• Property tax break: Qualifying home solar systems generally won’t increase your property taxes.

• Santee Cooper rebate: Eligible customers can get $950 per kW, up to $5,700.

• Net metering: Duke Energy, Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper offer different rules and credit rates for extra solar power.

» MORE:Solar incentives in South Carolina

More tips to save money on solar panels in South Carolina

Some tips to maximize your savings on solar panels:

• Compare quotes: Get quotes from at least three or four solar companies.

• Lower your electrical load: For example, replacing an old refrigerator with a more eco-friendly one reduces your electric load, which also helps lower your utility bill. If you use less electricity, you need fewer solar panels, making the whole system cheaper.

» MORE: Why are solar panels so expensive?

How can I pay for solar panels in South Carolina?

Affordable financing makes the upfront costs of solar more manageable. For instance, most leases let you start saving from day one with little or no money down.

• Solar loanswork like any other type of home improvement loan — there’s an application and approval process, and you pay it back over time (with interest) each month. In an ideal financing scenario, your system generates enough extra power to pay off the loan. Solar loan terms typically last eight to 20 years.

• Leasing solar panelsis a way to set up a system without the high upfront costs. A potential downside is that you are not eligible for the same tax incentives.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Compare solar installation companies in South Carolina

We compared ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranties, availability and other factors to pick the top solar companies in South Carolina.

FAQ

Bottom line

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team has conducted extensive research to compare the costs of going solar in South Carolina and other states. On average, you’ll spend $13,000 to $26,000 for panels that last about 25 years. Over that same time period, you’d avoid approximately $51,366 in total utility costs.

Solar costs vs. savings: South Carolina and nearby states