CharlestonSolar Incentives 2026: Rebates, Tax Credits & Net Metering
Charleston homeowners installing in 2026 cannot claim the federal residential credit. What remains is the 25% South Carolina state credit and Dominion Energy SC net metering. At 5.1 peak sun hours a day, a home with a $150/month bill (about 1,071 kWh) needs roughly a 8.8 kW system — 22 panels — and pays back in about 10.4 years.
Solar Incentives Available in Charleston
The federal residential credit does not apply to a Charleston system installed in 2026. South Carolina still lists a 25% state income tax credit (up to $3,500). Dominion Energy SC sets the local rules for crediting the solar power you export.
Dominion Energy South Carolina offers net metering in Charleston, and South Carolina's 25% state tax credit is one of the largest in the country.
How Much Solar Charleston Homes Produce
Charleston gets 5.1 peak sun hours a day, so each 1 kW of panels produces about 1,489 kWh per year here. A 8.8 kW system — the size that fits a typical $150/month Dominion Energy SC bill — generates roughly 13,105 kWh annually, worth about $1,835 in avoided electricity in year one and more as rates rise.
Dominion Energy SC Net Metering in Charleston
Dominion Energy SC credits excess solar generation from Charleston homes under South Carolina's full retail-rate net metering (~100% of retail). A right-sized system can bring net annual electricity costs close to zero. See full South Carolina net metering rules →
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Charleston?
At South Carolina's 2026 average of $2.85/watt, the 8.8 kW system most Charleston homes need runs about $25,080 before incentives. The federal residential credit is $0. The South Carolina state credit in this model is $3,500. Net cost in this model is about $21,580, with payback around 10.4 years. Those figures use $0 federal credit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Solar Incentives in Other South Carolina Cities
See your exact Charleston solar savings
Enter your Dominion Energy SC bill. The calculator uses $0 federal credit plus South Carolina incentives — system size, net cost, payback, and 25-year savings.