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Home solar in South Carolina

South Carolina's 25% state solar tax credit (up to $3,500 a year, with 10 years of carry-forward) is still the big draw; new solar homes are on 'Solar Choice' time-of-use rates, not full net metering.

Facts checked 2026-11-01, each with a source link below. Programs change often: confirm with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign.

15.8¢average home price per kWh (EIA, August 2026)
Solar can workA generous state tax credit and monthly netting help, but Solar Choice rates use time-of-use pricing, a minimum bill, and pay only an avoided-cost rate for any monthly excess. There is no HOA solar-access law.

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Net metering Replaced by a lower credit

Under Act 62 (2019), customers applying since 6-1-2021 with Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress or Dominion Energy SC use Solar Choice Metering: you are billed on a time-of-use rate, solar offsets your use within the month, and any net excess each month earns a credit at the utility's avoided-cost rate (in 2022: 2.70 cents/kWh DEC, 2.30 DEP, 3.363 Dominion; reset each year in the fuel case). Duke has a $30 minimum bill and Dominion $13.50 (2022). Older full-retail net metering ended 12-31-2025 for pre-May 16, 2019 applicants and ends 5-31-2029 for those who applied 5-16-2019 to 5-31-2021. Source

  • 2021-06-01: Solar Choice Metering starts
  • 2025-12-31: retail net metering ends for pre-May 16, 2019 applicants
  • 2029-05-31: retail net metering ends for 2019–2021 applicants

Solar credits (SRECs) No market

South Carolina has no SREC market for homes. Source

Rebates and incentives

Solar energy tax credit (S.C. Code §12-6-3587)

25% of cost; up to $3,500 per year per facility or 50% of your state tax that year, whichever is less; extra carries forward up to 10 years

SC taxpayers who buy and install solar on property they own in SC; system must be SRCC-certified or equivalent

open tax credit Source

Taxes

Property tax: None found: no property tax exemption for home solar.
Sales tax: None found: no sales tax exemption for home solar. Source

Solar laws

  • Act 62, South Carolina Energy Freedom Act (2019). Ended the old net metering for new customers and required Solar Choice Metering tariffs from 6-1-2021. Source
  • H. 4460 (2025–2026), HOA solar bill (2025). Would limit HOA bans on solar; still in House committee. South Carolina has no HOA solar-access law today. Source

Community solar

No active statewide program for new subscribers found; earlier utility programs under Act 236 (2014) were limited.

Timeline

  1. Act 62 takes effect (net metering cutoff date)
  2. Solar Choice Metering rates start for new applicants
  3. H. 4460 HOA solar bill introduced
  4. Retail net metering ends for pre-May 16, 2019 applicants; federal 25D credit ends

Federal tax credits

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners who buy solar (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so buying no longer earns a federal credit. If you lease or sign a power purchase agreement (PPA), the panels belong to a company that may still claim a business credit under federal deadlines that tighten through 2027. Ask your installer whether that savings is in your price.

Sources

Last checked 2026-11-01. Incentives are not guaranteed and can change or run out. Confirm every figure with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign. This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.

We give free home reviews in Maryland, DC and Virginia today. How to compare solar options