National Solar Capacity Ranking: 19th
Data Current Through: Q3 2024
South Carolina is an interesting market, while NEM is a benefit available to energy customers in the state, expanding benefits and the ability to develop solar of all types are a high priority for SEIA and our members. In 2024, SEIA put forth great legislative efforts to work on an omnibus that eventually failed due to inclusion of numerous bad-for-business and consumer policies. SEIA and our members look forward to continuing to advocate for strong solar and storage policies in 2025.
2,589
19th (31st in 2023)
312,417 homes
3.50%
3,472
89 (21 Manufacturers, 37 Installers/Developers, 31 Others)
$3.3 billion
37% over the last 10 years
2599 MW over the next 5 years (ranks 24th)
35,517
DSIRE Incentives Database – South Carolina – Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in South Carolina and across the United States
Solar Panel Cost in South Carolina – Learn about the history of solar policy in South Carolina, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
Solar Rebates & Incentives in South Carolina – Check out EnergySage’s list of key solar incentives in South Carolina to see what programs you can benefit from
South Carolina Public Service Commission – Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of South Carolina public utilities
South Carolina Solar Panels Overview – Learn about the history of solar policy in South Carolina, along with up-to-date pricing information on EnergySage
South Carolina State Energy Office – Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics
South Carolina State Legislature – Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in South Carolina
U.S. Energy Information Administration – South Carolina State Profile – Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government
South Carolina Energy Storage Policy and Market Overview
Grid-scale and hybrid storage systems are gaining traction in the Southeast. South Carolina regulators and utilities are ensuring that policy and procurement strategies favor market growth, reduce economic burdens, and deliver grid reliability to customers.
The 2019, Energy Freedom Act, is the most substantial and influential energy storage, energy efficiency, and renewable energy law in South Carolina. The landmark bill reduces barriers to deploy storage systems, codifies net metering policies for ESS, and requires electric utilities consider energy storage in their IRPs. In addition to codified regulatory adoptions for storage, the state also incentivizes renewable energy and energy storage deployment through a property tax exemption for small scale energy systems (<20 kW-AC).
South Carolina’s energy storage market is growing across the grid-scale and C&I sectors. Ambitious utility action, and state policy and regulations to reduce customer costs are inviting a competitive storage market.
South Carolina Energy Storage Policy Resources