SOUTH CAROLINA
Solar in South Carolina
South Carolina averages more than 215 sunny days* each year making it a prime location for clean energy. Though the state currently generates more than half of its power from nuclear plants,* the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ranks South Carolina 13th nationwide for solar energy and expects output to nearly double in the next five years.*
Solar potential in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.6 hours of sunlight per day, which is above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that South Carolina has a good potential for solar energy generation.
Currently, South Carolina generates 1,891.4 MW of solar energy through more than 23,000 installations, more than enough to power roughly 222,000 homes statewide.*
That said, the Palmetto State’s potential remains largely untapped, according to Google’s Project Sunroof. The study found that 80% of South Carolina’s buildings feature solar-viable rooftops. With this in mind, South Carolina could generate nearly 20,000 MW of clean energy each year, the equivalent of removing 3.2 million passenger cars from the road or growing 387 million trees for ten years.*
Cost of solar South Carolina?
The cost of a home solar system can vary due to a range of factors, even in the same state. These include:
Shaded roof space
Local weather
Quality of the solar panels
Roof angle
In South Carolina, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,300 to $32,400, or in other words, from $2.66 to $6.48 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Like the rest of the United States, the average cost of solar panels for a home in South Carolina has decreased by 80% over the last decade. The state also offers various incentive programs for qualifying residential and business property owners.
The state also offers relatively low installation costs compared to other areas. As a result, you can expect to recover your costs in only seven to nine years. In addition, you can enjoy lifetime savings of more than $30,000 when you install an average-sized 6.3kW system in South Carolina.*
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make South Carolina a more sustainable state.
State incentives: South Carolina offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
South Carolina state policies?
Net metering: South Carolina has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the grid at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemption: South Carolina exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $10,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $10,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): South Carolina offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Solar Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): South Carolina has a solar RPS that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from solar power. The RPS is currently set at 4%, and it is scheduled to increase to 8% by 2030. This policy is expected to help drive demand for solar panels in South Carolina.
Community solar: South Carolina has a number of community solar programs that allow homeowners to participate in solar energy without having to install solar panels on their own homes. Community solar projects are typically located in central locations, such as at schools or community centers. Homeowners who participate in community solar programs receive credits on their electricity bills based on the amount of solar power generated by the project.
South Carolina Department of Energy (DOE): The DOE provides a number of resources and support for solar energy in South Carolina. These resources include information on solar incentives, rebates, and financing options. The DOE also provides technical assistance to solar installers and homeowners.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in South Carolina? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in South Carolina, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!