Plug-In Solar in South Carolina
The balcony solar bill in South Carolina stayed in its House committee when the regular session ended, so no plug-in solar law exists.
- No plug-in solar law in South Carolina yetBill H 4579
- Utility rules are in effect.There's no cap on plug-in wattage.
- Cents: 15.9.Per kWh, the EIA average home price for Jan to Aug 2026.
- $187 yearly.In Charleston, before any utility solar fee, an 800 W kit.
In South Carolina, you need your electric utility's approval before connecting. Choose an inverter with anti-islanding that's listed to UL 1741, or one listed to UL 3700.
South Carolina Plug-In Bills
- Known as the Balcony Solar Panels bill, H 4579 (2026) would have kept deeds, leases, and HOA documents from banning balcony solar panels. It also would have stopped the state from limiting them. The measure was introduced 13 January 2026. It went to the House Committee covering Labor, Commerce and Industry and got no action before the regular session closed on 14 May 2026. More on the bill
South Carolina's Rule Today
Hooking up: Duke Energy Progress, Duke Energy Carolinas and Dominion Energy follow interconnection guidelines from the Public Service Commission. Certified inverter systems of up to 20 kW get a simpler process through the utility. Residential customers don't need more insurance than a standard homeowner's policy.
Net metering: The 2019 Energy Freedom Act (Act 62) governs this. Since 1 January 2022, customers who apply for net metering are billed under Solar Choice Metering tariffs.
Savings from a Kit in South Carolina
According to PVWatts, panels in Charleston produce 1,469 kWh a year for every 1 kW. Homes in South Carolina pay 15.9 cents per kWh in 2026 so far. For a kit of 800 W, it varies by where it goes:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,176 | $187 |
| Upright on a railing | 741 | $118 |
| Facing east or west | 940 | $150 |
Charleston Month by Month
- Jan89
- Feb91
- Mar104
- Apr106
- May113
- Jun103
- Jul105
- Aug100
- Sep98
- Oct100
- Nov91
- Dec75
What an 800 W kit makes in kWh, tilted south.
Kit Prices in South Carolina
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,734 | $276 | 3.3 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 529 | $84 | 4.9 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,176 | $187 | 5.9 years | $1,099 |
Tilted south, and all of it used at home. Compare all kits
Things Worth Knowing in South Carolina
- One of the few bills to focus on renters and HOAs was H 4579. Under it, lease bans and HOA bans on balcony solar would not have held up, but the bill did not pass.
- The 2024 average residential electricity price in South Carolina came to 14.23 cents/kWh, near the middle of the pack.
Do You Rent or Have a Balcony?
The mount is your landlord's or HOA's call, while the hookup is your electric utility's. Take a look at balcony solar and solar for apartments.
The Main Utilities
- Dominion Energy South Carolina
- Duke Energy Carolinas
- Santee Cooper (South Carolina Public Service Authority)
- Duke Energy Progress
Next Steps for You in South Carolina
- Choose a size: about 588 kWh a year comes from a 400 W kit in Charleston, and about 1,763 kWh from a 1,200 W kit. Run your own
- Keep an eye on H 4579 next session. If it passes, you may not need that approval step.
Sources
- 2025-2026 Bill 4579: Balcony Solar Panels - South Carolina Legislature Online
- 2025-2026 Bill 883: Sine Die 2026 - South Carolina Legislature Online
- South Carolina Energy Freedom Act | Office of Regulatory Staff
- Interconnection Guidelines - DSIRE (South Carolina)
- South Carolina Electricity Profile 2024 (EIA)
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables for South Carolina (XLSX)
- From EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices and NREL PVWatts, Charleston.
Look at every state at a glance or check a neighbor: North Carolina, Florida, Georgia.