Best Solar Companies in South Carolina (2024)
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South Carolina’s sunny weather and long summers make it ideal for solar energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the Palmetto State has invested nearly $3 billion in solar as of December 2022, and 2.85% of its electricity comes from solar panels.
We researched and evaluated more than 30 solar companies to see which offer the best service, performance, energy efficiency, product selection, pricing, and more. See our top picks for the best solar companies in South Carolina below.
Top Solar Companies in South Carolina
We ranked these solar companies highest based on our rating standards and research:
- Best In-House Financing: Blue Raven Solar
- Most Protection: Palmetto Solar
- Most Aesthetic: Tesla
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | VISIT SITE | ||
 | A+ | VISIT SITE | ||
 | A+ | VISIT SITE | ||
 | A+ | VISIT SITE | ||
 | B+ | VISIT SITE |
Blue Raven Solar
Best In-House Financing Warranty options: Five-year manufacturer warranty
Panel options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
Financing: Cash purchase, solar loan
Blue Raven is a well-respected provider in the solar industry. It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 4.46 out of 5 stars from customers. It stands out for its unique financing options.
Read more: Blue Raven Review
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides a rare financing option that includes 18 months of free solar energy
- Sells SunPowers’s high-efficiency solar products
- Has won multiple awards for its in-house team’s performance
Cons
- Offers one of the shortest guarantees among our reviewed companies
- Doesn’t have solar lease or power purchase agreement financing options
- Some customer reviews mention aggressive sales tactics
What We Like
Blue Raven is known industry-wide for its reliability and trustworthiness. The company also stands out for its in-house financing option, which includes 18 months of free solar energy. We noted customers praising the knowledgeable staff and prompt installation in online reviews.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Blue Raven Solar has 4.5 out of 5 stars from approximately 400 customer reviews on Google. Most customers report a great experience with the company. Those who rate the provider poorly cite improper installation that led to costly repairs.
“Professional, great project manager, and awesome crew. Installation looks amazing, and their engineering drawings were done in a clear, professional, and understandable manner.” —Juan via Google Reviews in May 2022
“Worst company and service ever. Their service and panel are causing leakage in my ceiling. They took $32,000 to install panels and later asked us to pay more for guards to fix the leakage.” —Beda via Google Reviews in October 2022
“Technicians were courteous and helpful. They cleaned up after themselves and were respectful of my property. Great group of guys that went through every step, were on time, and completed within scheduled time. Highly recommend this company if you are looking at solar panel installation.” —John via Google Reviews in December 2022
Palmetto Solar
Best Add-On Protection Plan Fast Facts:
Warranty Option: 25-year manufacturer warranty
Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Q Cells)
Financing: Solar loan, solar lease, power purchase agreement (PPA)
Palmetto Solar’s customer service team is easily reachable via phone, email, chat, online service request, or mobile app. The company also has a strong warranty and protection plan, and it provides a library of solar resources on its website.
Read more: Palmetto Review
Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits
- Offers a tiered system protection plan
- Provides an online savings calculator to estimate your return on investment
- Includes a 25-year panel output warranty
Drawbacks
- Requires an additional monthly fee for active system monitoring
- Doesn’t offer a free energy consultation
- Doesn’t offer leasing or PPA financing
What We Like
Palmetto has a wide range of solar services, from comprehensive protection plans to pest abatement. Besides offering some of the market’s most efficient residential solar panels, Palmetto has a 25-year warranty and ongoing customer support via its app.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Best Company’s customer reviews mention Palmetto’s professionalism and customer support throughout the solar process. Negative reviews cite slow panel activation timelines, though this could be due to local ordinances.
“The whole experience, from the salesperson to the installation team, was outstanding. Usually, in my experience, once the sale is done, there’s not much communication. With Palmetto, that was not the case. The communication continued throughout making sure all my needs and questions were addressed. Everyone we encountered was professional, friendly, honest, and went out of their way to keep us informed and provide us with very helpful information that one does not normally get.” —Guy via Best Company in February 2022
“Received panels over a month ago still not in service.” —Rhonda via Best Company in February 2022
“Palmetto installed my solar system in June 2021, and it has produced more energy than what I use daily. They have excellent customer support, and their app is very good.” —Josie via Best Company in December 2021
Tesla Solar
Most Advanced Solar Tech Warranty Option: 25-year performance guarantee
Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Hanwha)
Financing: Cash purchase, solar loan
Tesla’s solar products are available nationwide. It’s one of the few solar companies that provides an up-front solar quote on its website. It’s also responsible for the Powerwall, one of the industry’s most popular solar batteries.
Read More: Tesla Solar Review
Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits
- Provides transparent online quotes with pricing details
- Offers up to 10 Tesla Powerwalls per installation
- Sells solar roofing options that replace your entire roof
Drawbacks
- Lacks customization options, limiting system size to four choices
- Provides only third-party installation
- Some customers cite long wait times for repairs
What We Like
Tesla offers a range of sleekly designed solar panels that blend into your existing roof. Its transparent pricing and detailed website make it a valuable choice for customers looking to learn more about solar panels without needing to speak to a sales representative.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Customer reviews on Best Company report that the Tesla system looks and performs as well or even better than expected. Customer complaints highlight slow turnaround times and trouble reaching customer support.
“I finally went with the Tesla Solar Roof (tiles not panels), and I couldn’t be happier. I needed a new roof anyway so decided to get it with two PowerWall backup batteries. The product looks amazing and [in my opinion] is the best looking solar product on the market right now.” —Robin via Best Company in May 2022
“The price that Tesla offered was great, and the installation went smoothly, but everything else has been a nightmare. No communications from my project advisor during the initial design phase; I had to call Tesla numerous times to ask questions. Once installed, it took Tesla four times over seven months to file the application to the utility company correctly.” —Timothy via Best Company in December 2022
“We leased our solar power system from Solar City before the buyout from Tesla Solar. Transparent transfer from one company to the other. Excellent transaction throughout with great communication from install through activation. We had to deal with our local power company for the connection and turn-on but that was very smooth with assistance from Tesla.” —Ronald via Best Company in May 2021
Our Recommendation
It’s important to do thorough research when making such a big investment in solar. We suggest carefully reading provider websites, considering what customer reviews have to say, and getting a free quote before committing to a company.
Though all companies on our list are quality providers, we recommend SunPower and Blue Raven Solar for their reputation and energy-efficient solar panels. Read our solar panel cost guide to get an idea of how much you can expect to pay for a solar energy system.
Solar Installation Process
Most solar installations follow this or a similar process after your system’s design is approved:
- Site evaluation: An installer will visit your home to confirm the planned design and estimate the scope of work. This person or their team will also inspect your roof, attic, and electrical setup.
- Permit approval: Most states require a permit to install solar panels. Your solar provider should handle the paperwork with your local municipality.
- Installation: Installation typically takes one to three days. You don’t need to be home for it, but we recommend you are so you can ask questions along the way.
- Cleanup: Installers should remove any debris and leave your property in good condition.
- City inspection: Your provider should coordinate with your city to have an inspector come out to check that your system is up to code.
- Utility connection: Lastly, your system must be connected to your local utility system if you’re connecting it to the grid. You’ll apply for connection through your utility company (some providers do this for you), which will also want to inspect your system to make sure it’s in accordance with its utility guidelines. After getting permission to operate, your system can be turned on.
Solar Installation Cost Factors in South Carolina
The average cost of a solar system in South Carolina is roughly $37,000.* The following factors impact this price:
- Company: Solar providers all offer different products and pricing. If the company you buy your panels from is not the manufacturer, the manufacturer will also influence pricing. Better quality and reputation means a higher price tag.
- Panel type: Homeowners can choose between monocrystalline, polycrystalline,and thin-film panels. Monocrystalline panels are recommended for residential solar panel systems because they’re the most efficient, but they’re also the most expensive.
- System size: The more panels you have, the more expensive your system will be.
- Energy efficiency: Expect to pay more for high-efficiency panels.
- Location: Costs vary by city and state. This is compounded by state and local solar incentives.
- Roof pitch: Most solar installation companies charge more for riskier or more difficult installations. Plan to pay more for labor if your roof has a steep pitch, multiple features, or is otherwise difficult to access.
*Cost figure via Angi.
Solar Tax Incentives in South Carolina
South Carolina homeowners interested in going solar can take advantage of a few solar incentives to save money. South Carolina’s state tax credit allows residents to claim 25% of their solar costs as a tax credit. This credit carries over for 10 years.
South Carolina solar customers who own their solar system also qualify for the federal solar tax credit, also called the Residential Clean Energy Credit. This federal tax credit allows you to receive a federal tax deduction equal to 30% of your solar panel installation costs. The 30% rate is available through 2032. It will drop to 26% in 2033 before reducing to 22% in 2034. It will end in 2035 unless Congress renews it.
South Carolinians can also participate in net-metering. Net-metering gives you electricity bill credits for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of excess solar electricity you send back to the grid.
Getting Solar Quotes in South Carolina
Getting a solar quote is easy. You can typically do it online. Most solar companies have a “Get a Quote” button at the top right of their homepage or near the bottom. Clicking that button will take you to a form to fill out your location, home size, and contact information. Solar providers ask about your home’s location and roof size to determine how suitable your property is for solar.
If you prefer to speak with someone directly, you can call the company and get a quote over the phone by providing the same information. We called SunPower for a solar quote and got one in less than 10 minutes.
Questions to Ask Solar Providers
Take time to thoroughly vet a provider before signing a contract. Your solar project is a major investment. Taking a gamble on the first company you find is not the way to go.
We recommend asking solar panel companies these questions:
- How long have you worked in solar?
- How many systems have you installed? Can I see photos?
- Are you NABCEP-certified, licensed, bonded, and insured?
- What is your business license number?
- Can you share a few customer references?
- Have you worked with my local utility company?
- Does your team do all the work, or do you use subcontractors? How do you quality check the work your subcontractors perform?
- Who do I contact if I have a question or issue? What are turnaround times like to resolve issues?
In addition to questions about the installer, we suggest asking these questions about equipment:
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of this equipment?
- Is this what you have/would put on your home or business?
- What warranty protection is offered for each piece of equipment?
- What do customers complain about with this equipment?
Solar Company Services Provided
Most solar energy companies offer similar services to guide homeowners through the process and make the most of their system. Common solar services include the following:
- Consultation: All companies should offer an initial consultation to discuss your home’s energy needs and whether your property is a good fit for solar. This can often be done virtually or in-person. While virtual consultations are more convenient, be aware that the representative won’t be able to provide as specific or potentially accurate information as if they saw your property in person.
- Design: Providers have in-house design teams to create the best solar panel layout for your roof. You’ll approve this design before installation moves forward.
- Installation: Not all companies use an in-house installation team. Some use third-party companies. Some only install panels, while others also install batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and other equipment.
- Maintenance and cleaning: Many warranties include some sort of maintenance plan through your provider for a period of time. Check to see if a company provides any maintenance or cleaning services after installation.
- System monitoring: If a company has a mobile app, it likely includes some degree of system monitoring. If not—or if you don’t want to monitor your system yourself—check if a provider offers system monitoring to track your panels’ performance.
- Additional services: Some companies partner with third parties to handle services that help your installation run smoothly. Roof repair and pest control are common additional services, as it isn’t wise to install panels on a damaged or infested roof.
Solar Companies FAQ
Is solar good in South Carolina?
South Carolina is a great state for solar energy usage. It’s sunny for most of the year and has some of the best solar incentives.
Does South Carolina offer a solar tax credit?
Yes, South Carolina offers a solar tax credit. Its state tax incentive allows residents to claim 25% of their solar installation costs as a tax credit.
What is the average cost of solar panels in South Carolina?
According to EnergySage, the average cost of a solar system in South Carolina is $14,300. This is before subtracting tax credits and other rebates.
What is the best solar company?
There are several reputable solar installation companies available in South Carolina. A few include SunPower, Blue Raven Solar, Palmetto Solar, and Tesla.
How We Chose the Top Solar Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services and products. We weighed several significant factors, including the quality and type of solar panels offered, the customer support network, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits such as mobile apps for monitoring and customer service.
Speaking directly to representatives, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also analyzed each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
We evaluated each provider based on their rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.
Read more: Our Methodology