Solar Panel Cost in South Carolina (2026)
Installed solar in South Carolina runs about $2.55 per watt — roughly 1% below the national average of $2.58/W. With the federal residential tax credit (25D) gone as of 2026, payback here rests on a $0.14/kWh power price and 4.9 daily peak sun hours.
Worked example: a typical $150/month home in South Carolina
A $150/month electric bill in South Carolina works out to about 12,857 kWh a year. Sizing a cash-purchase system to cover 100% of that:
System size
9.2 kW
Panels
23
Annual offset
102%
Gross cost
$25,960
Federal credit (25D)
$0
Expired 12/31/2025 — $0
State incentive
$0
Net cost
$25,960
Payback
11.9 yr
25-year savings
$41,076
Last updated June 30, 2026
South Carolina solar numbers
- Installed price
- $2.55 / watt
- Electricity price
- $0.14 / kWh
- Peak sun hours
- 4.9 hrs/day
- State incentive
- 0%
- Net-metering value
- 100% of retail
Local context: South Carolina's solar-choice tariffs largely preserve net-metering value.
Estimate your own South Carolina system
Adjust the bill, ownership, and battery options below — it's pre-set to South Carolina's pricing and sun hours.
Estimated system cost
$30,572–$39,708
12.8 kW32 panels
Low $31kMost likely ~$35,140High $40k
Federal tax credit
— expired Dec 2025, we won't pretend otherwise
$0
State & utility incentives
$0
Est. annual savings
$2,564
Payback period
~11.7 yr
Net cost
$31k–$40k
25-year net savings
+$58,127
iA ballpark estimate for planning — not a final quote.
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