All federal benefits apply to entities in South Carolina.

Homeowners and businesses can claim a tax credit equal to 30% of their solar installation costs. This applies to both owned and leased systems, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) lasting at least 10 years. Note that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 increased the solar installation credit to 30% with no dollar limit.

South Carolina offers a state tax credit worth 25% of the total cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, including installation. The maximum credit is $3,500 or 50% of your state tax liability, whichever is less. If the credit exceeds your tax liability, the remaining amount can be carried forward for up to 10 years. Tax credits reduce tax liability but are non-refundable.

South Carolina provides a property tax exemption for solar energy systems with a rated capacity of no more than 20 kilowatts (kW). This means that installing a solar system will not increase your property's assessed value for tax purposes.

Santee Cooper offers a rebate of $0.95 per watt installed, up to a maximum of $5,700, for residential solar installations. To qualify, systems must be installed by an approved contractor or a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)-certified professional.

Santee Cooper provides loans up to $20,000 at a 6% interest rate for renewable energy projects, including solar installations. The loan term is up to 5 years.

South Carolina requires investor-owned utilities with over 100,000 customers to offer net metering. Under net metering, excess electricity generated by your solar system is credited to your utility account. Credits can offset future electricity bills, and any remaining credits at the end of the year are paid out at a utility-specific avoided cost rate. For example, Duke Energy Carolinas and Dominion Energy South Carolina pay a small per kilowatt-hour rate for excess credits.

Residents of Columbia can receive rebates of up to $1,000 for installing solar power systems. The rebate amount is based on the system size and must be installed by an approved contractor.

Charleston residents are eligible for rebates of up to $1,500 for solar installations. The rebate amount depends on the system size and installation by an approved contractor.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, tax-exempt organizations such as nonprofits are eligible to receive a direct payment equal to 30% of their solar installation cost, effectively mirroring the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC).

South Carolina offers a combination of federal incentives, state tax credits, property tax exemptions, utility rebates, and local programs to make solar energy a viable and beneficial investment for individuals, businesses, and nonprofits. The state's solar energy tax credit, net metering policies, and local rebate programs provide financial support and compensation for solar energy production. Additionally, property tax exemptions reduce the overall cost of installation. Nonprofits can also benefit from direct payments equivalent to the federal ITC. These incentives make South Carolina an attractive state for solar energy adoption.