Home solar in South Carolina: prices, net metering, what is left in 2026
What South Carolina homeowners pay for solar in 2026, how the state's export rules work, and which incentives survived - verified against state sources, town by town.
Installed home solar in South Carolina compares against the U.S. marketplace average of about $2.58 a watt - roughly $30,960 for 12 kW.
The 30% federal solar credit ended December 31, 2025 - South Carolina installations completed in 2026 get $0 from it.
A home battery in South Carolina runs about $12,000-$16,000 installed, before any state storage incentive.
Beware of any 2026 payback estimate that looks as good as the 2025 ones: with the federal credit gone, a third of the old subsidy math vanished. If a sales projection has not gotten noticeably worse since 2025, it is hiding something - usually an inflated utility-rate escalation assumption.
South Carolina rules that decide your payback
| Rule | South Carolina status |
|---|---|
| Export compensation (net metering) | Not full retail for new customers — the 1:1 Renewable Net Metering rider (Rider RNM) closed to new participants on June 1, 2021, and new residential solar now takes Solar Choice Metering (Rider RSC, served on a solar time-of-use schedule), while the last full-retail legacy class (applications before May 16, 2019) reached its sunset on December 31, 2025 and moves to Rider NMT or Rider RSC. |
| State incentive | Solar Energy, Small Hydropower System, or Geothermal Machinery and Equipment Credit (S.C. Code Ann. Section 12-6-3587) — 25% of purchase and installation cost, capped at $3,500 per facility or 50% of tax liability per year, whichever is less, with a 10-year carryforward |
| Sales tax on the system | Not exempt - taxed like any purchase |
| Property tax on added home value | Excluded |
South Carolina still has a live 25% state income tax credit — genuinely unusual for this region — but the old full-retail net metering grandfather class expired on December 31, 2025, so a 2026 install earns markedly less for exports than a 2019 install did. Note also that the South Carolina property tax exemption is capped at 20 kW AC: systems above that size do not qualify, though attached battery storage is included within the exemption.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
What installed solar costs in 2026
| System size | Installed price (marketplace avg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,480 | Small roof / low usage |
| 8 kW | $20,640 | Typical starter system |
| 10 kW | $25,800 | Family home with AC |
| 12 kW | $30,960 | Large home / EV charging |
| Home battery (optional) | $12,000-$16,000 | Backup power + self-consumption |
Compare solar quotes for South Carolina
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Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
The 30% federal tax credit is gone for 2026 installations
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (30%) was repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4, 2025. Per the IRS, the credit is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025 - and the IRS counts the installation completion date, not the contract date.
Common questions
What is net metering and why does it decide everything?
It is the rule for how your utility credits electricity you export. Full retail net metering credits exports at the same rate you pay - the grid works like a free battery. Net billing or avoided-cost rules pay far less per exported kWh, which lengthens payback and strengthens the case for a home battery.
How long do solar panels actually last?
Panels are typically warrantied for 25 years of production and commonly outlive it, losing about 0.5% output per year. Inverters are the component that usually needs replacement - typically once, around year 12-15, at a few thousand dollars.
Do I need a battery with my solar?
Not necessarily. Under full retail net metering, the grid effectively stores your surplus for free. Batteries earn their $12,000-16,000 price where export rates are low, outages are common, or time-of-use rates make evening self-consumption valuable.
What happens if my installer goes out of business?
Panel and inverter warranties come from the manufacturers and survive, but the workmanship warranty usually dies with the company. That is a real risk in the post-credit shakeout - prefer installers with years of local history, and get manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage where offered.
Does solar raise my property taxes?
It depends on the state - many exempt solar's added home value from property tax, others do not, and some exemptions have expiration dates. This guide's state page lists the verified rule and source for your state.
Is my roof even suitable for solar?
Three things decide it: orientation (south-facing is best in the U.S., east-west workable), shade (trees or taller buildings across midday hours can sink the math), and roof age (if the shingles have under 10 years left, reroof first - removing and reinstalling panels later costs thousands). Any honest installer assesses all three before quoting a number.
Compare solar quotes for South Carolina
These platforms collect bids from licensed installers so you can compare against the same spec. Prices come from installers, not from this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
Prices by city
Abbeville · Aiken · Allendale · Anderson · Andrews · Arcadia Lakes · Atlantic Beach · Awendaw · Aynor · Bamberg · Barnwell · Batesburg-Leesville · Beaufort · Belton · Bennettsville · Bethune · Bishopville · Blacksburg · Blackville · Blenheim · Bluffton · Blythewood · Bonneau · Bowman · Branchville · Briarcliffe Acres · Brunson · Burnettown · Calhoun Falls · Camden · Cameron · Campobello · Carlisle · Cayce · Central · Central Pacolet · Chapin · Charleston · Cheraw · Chesnee · Chester · Chesterfield · Clemson · Clinton · Clio · Clover · Columbia · Conway · Cope · Cordova · Cottageville · Coward · Cowpens · Cross Hill · Darlington · Denmark · Dillon · Donalds · Due West · Duncan · Easley · Eastover · Edgefield · Edisto Beach · Ehrhardt · Elgin · Elko · Elloree · Estill · Eutawville · Fairfax · Florence · Folly Beach · Forest Acres · Fort Lawn · Fort Mill · Fountain Inn · Furman · Gaffney · Gaston · Georgetown · Gifford · Gilbert · Goose Creek · Govan · Gray Court · Great Falls · Greeleyville · Greenville · Greenwood · Greer · Hampton · Hanahan · Hardeeville · Harleyville · Hartsville · Heath Springs · Hemingway · Hickory Grove · Hilda · Hilton Head Island · Hodges · Holly Hill · Hollywood · Honea Path · Inman · Irmo · Isle of Palms · Iva · Jackson · James Island · Jamestown · Jefferson · Jenkinsville · Johnsonville · Johnston · Jonesville · Kershaw · Kiawah Island · Kingstree · Kline · Lake City · Lake View · Lamar · Lancaster · Landrum · Lane · Latta · Laurens · Lexington · Liberty · Lincolnville · Little Mountain · Livingston · Lockhart · Lodge · Loris · Lowndesville · Lowrys · Luray · Lyman · Lynchburg · Manning · Marion · Mauldin · Mayesville · McBee · McClellanville · McColl · McConnells · McCormick · Meggett · Moncks Corner · Monetta · Mount Croghan · Mount Pleasant · Mullins · Myrtle Beach · Neeses · New Ellenton · Newberry · Nichols · Ninety Six · Norris · North · North Augusta · North Charleston · North Myrtle Beach · Norway · Olanta · Olar · Orangeburg · Pacolet · Pageland · Pamplico · Parksville · Patrick · Pawleys Island · Paxville · Peak · Pelion · Pelzer · Pendleton · Perry · Pickens · Pine Ridge · Pinewood · Plum Branch · Pomaria · Port Royal · Prosperity · Quinby · Ravenel · Reevesville · Reidville · Richburg · Ridge Spring · Ridgeland · Ridgeville · Ridgeway · Rock Hill · Rockville · Rowesville · Ruby · Salem · Salley · Saluda · Santee · Scotia · Scranton · Seabrook Island · Sellers · Seneca · Sharon · Silverstreet · Simpsonville · Six Mile · Smoaks · Smyrna · Snelling · Society Hill · South Congaree · Spartanburg · Springdale · Springfield · St. George · St. Matthews · St. Stephen · Starr · Stuckey · Sullivan's Island · Summerton · Summerville · Summit · Sumter · Surfside Beach · Swansea · Sycamore · Tatum · Tega Cay · Timmonsville · Travelers Rest · Trenton · Troy · Turbeville · Ulmer · Union · Van Wyck · Vance · Varnville · Wagener · Walhalla · Walterboro · Ward · Ware Shoals · Waterloo · Wellford · West Columbia · West Pelzer · West Union · Westminster · Whitmire · Williams · Williamston · Williston · Windsor · Winnsboro · Woodford · Woodruff · Yemassee · York