Solar power generation in South Carolina has increased by almost 140% since the beginning of 2020, due in part to a growing number of residential solar panel installations. South Carolina also receives lots of sunshine, making it prime solar territory.
Powering your home with a solar panel system can help you save on your electric bill. And while traditional energy prices have increased in recent years, the cost of residential solar panels has decreased by more than 64% since 2000, according to a report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Federal, state and local tax credits and incentives can lower the cost of solar panels even more. South Carolina has a state solar tax credit that you can combine with the federal tax credit to maximize your savings on solar panels. The Palmetto State also has a property tax exemption for the added value that solar panels provide to your home and a solid net metering policy.
Here’s what you need to know about going solar in South Carolina, starting with the best solar companies operating within the state.
Best national solar panel companies in South Carolina
Palmetto Solar
Best overall
Solar panels are typically low maintenance equipment, but they’re also unfamiliar. If you want to reap the benefits of solar but will have a bit more peace of mind if someone else is making sure it’s working, Palmetto might be a good fit for you. Just remember to add the cost of Palmetto’s monitoring service in to your payback period calculations.
SunPower Solar
Best solar panels
If you’re looking for top-of-the-line solar panels, SunPower is your best choice. But don’t write it off if you’re looking for a less flashy installation that will get the job done. This year it started installing Qcells panels, which should make an installation from the longest-tenured company on our list available to more people.
Freedom Forever
Best for cash customers
Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that’s changing.
Tesla Solar
Most affordable
Tesla’s solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Solar Roof seems to get more love.
If price is the thing you won’t budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.
Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla’s service is a bit of a gamble.
Renu Energy Solutions
Great option for the Carolinas
If you live in the Carolinas, Renu offers equipment from well-respected manufacturers and has indicators that its customers are, overall, quite happy. Some of it’s warranties — 10 years on workmanship and 5 years against leaks — are a bit shorter than others in the industry, where they can reach twice as long. Customers gave it an average rating of 4.79 out of five at the Better Business Bureau, which is higher than most companies on the list.
Local solar panel companies in South Carolina
National solar companies aren’t your only options. A local installer might offer you a better estimate, so make sure to compare multiple quotes. Here are a few local solar companies worth considering.
Firefly Solar offers solar and roofing services across the Carolinas. They install REC and Solaria solar panels. For your solar battery needs, you’ll have the option of installing a Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ batteries. Firefly Solar also installs Tesla Solar Roofs and offers cash payment and financing options.
Solar Energy World was founded in 2009 and operates across 10 states, including South Carolina. This installer offers solar panels from several manufacturers, as well as solar batteries and live system monitoring. With Solar Energy World, you can buy your solar panel system outright or sign a lease or PPA.
Solar Energy World’s warranty terms are excellent. This installer offers a 30-year manufacturer warranty on panels and inverters and a labor warranty for all service-related issues. It also provides a one-year production warranty that guarantees the system will generate at least 90% of its estimated production within the first year of installation. Solar Energy World has a satisfaction guarantee and its warranties are transferable if you sell your home.
