How much do solar panels cost in South Carolina in 2026?

A typical 9kW solar system in South Carolina costs approximately $27,000 before incentives. After the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, your net cost is around $18,900.

Solar Panels in South Carolina: Cost, Savings & Incentives (2026)

Q: Is solar worth it in South Carolina?

South Carolina has 5.3 peak sun hours per day and an average electricity rate of 13.5 cents per kWh. These are excellent conditions for solar investment. South Carolina offers a 25% state income tax credit on solar installation costs (up to $3,500 or 50% of tax liability). This stacks with the federal 30% ITC, making South Carolina one of the best states for combined incentives. Duke Energy and Dominion Energy South Carolina offer net metering programs.

Updated May 2026

A 9kW solar system in South Carolina costs around $18,900 after the 30% federal tax credit and saves approximately $1,880 per year on electricity at the state's average rate of 13.5¢/kWh. With 5.3 peak sun hours per day, your estimated payback period is 10 years — leaving 15+ years of profit before the 25-year warranty period ends. Below: real cost data, all available incentives and a free personalised calculator.

5.3

Peak sun hours/day

13.5¢

Avg electricity rate

30%

Federal tax credit

9 kW

Typical system size

Is solar worth it in South Carolina in 2026?

With an average electricity rate of 13.5¢ per kWh and 5.3 peak sun hours per day, South Carolina homeowners are in an excellent position to benefit from solar panels. A typical 9kW system will produce around 13,928 kWh per year — enough to offset a significant portion of a typical South Carolina home's electricity usage.

At current electricity rates, that production saves approximately $1,880 per year. Over 25 years — the standard panel warranty period — the projected net profit after recouping the system cost is around $28,100.

How much do solar panels cost in South Carolina?

A 9kW solar system — typical for a South Carolina home — costs approximately $27,000 before incentives (national average: ~$3,000 per kW installed).

Cost item	Amount
System cost (9kW)	$27,000
Federal 30% ITC	−$8,100
South Carolina offers a 25% state income tax credit on solar installation costs (up to $3,500 or 50% of tax liability). This stacks with the federal 30% ITC, making South Carolina one of the best states for combined incentives. Duke Energy and Dominion Energy South Carolina offer net metering programs.	Additional savings
Net cost (after federal ITC)	$18,900

Actual costs vary by installer. Always get at least 3 quotes. Installer labour, roof type and system complexity affect final pricing.

Solar incentives in South Carolina (2026)

Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) — 30%

All US homeowners qualify for the 30% federal ITC through 2032. On a $27,000 system, this is a $8,100 tax credit — a direct reduction in federal taxes owed (not a deduction from taxable income).

South Carolina state incentives

South Carolina offers a 25% state income tax credit on solar installation costs (up to $3,500 or 50% of tax liability). This stacks with the federal 30% ITC, making South Carolina one of the best states for combined incentives. Duke Energy and Dominion Energy South Carolina offer net metering programs.

Use our Solar Tax Credit Calculator to calculate your exact federal and state incentive amounts based on your system cost.

Solar payback period in South Carolina

Based on a net system cost of $18,900 and estimated annual savings of $1,880, the estimated payback period for solar panels in South Carolina is approximately 10 years.

After payback, your solar panels continue to produce free electricity for another 15+ years. Use our Solar Payback Calculator to customise this for your specific electricity bill and system size.

What affects solar savings in South Carolina?

Every homeowner's solar savings are different. In South Carolina, the key variables are:

Electricity rate (13.5¢/kWh): South Carolina's electricity rate is near the national average. Combined with sun hours and system size, this gives a typical homeowner a solid case for solar investment.
Peak sun hours (5.3 hrs/day): South Carolina's solar resource is solid — comparable to Germany, which has one of the highest solar adoption rates in the world. Year-round production will be consistent.
System size (9kW typical): The right size depends on your electricity bill. A $150/month bill typically requires a 6–8kW system to offset 80–100%. Use our System Size Calculator to find your exact target.
Roof type and orientation: South-facing roofs at 30° pitch are ideal. West-facing roofs produce 15–20% less but may generate more electricity during peak-price afternoon hours, improving time-of-use savings.