Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Year after year, more Charleston homeowners adopt rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and lower their carbon footprint. Switching to solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we assembled a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Charleston. These companies have a reputation for excellent service.
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Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
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Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. South Carolina differentiates between mechanical and general contractors for solar energy work. A licensed mechanical contractor can install or repair any solar PV system rated for between 50 and 600 volts if they have an electrical Certificate of Authorization. If a company installs solar thermal systems, they need a Certificate of Authorization in plumbing and a supervising licensed plumber on their team.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from 3–5 providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the best value.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation problems such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. The performance guarantee promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your electricity costs in the long run. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
In Charleston, solar panels cost an average of $3,450 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 7.5 kilowatts. The typical Charleston homeowner spends $18,073 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's panel type, required preliminary work, size, and capacity. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar water heating system.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in South Carolina being very mild, you have significant leeway to install your panels, though they won't hit peak performance until summer arrives.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Charleston amount to $1,863.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Charleston, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 9.7 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can send the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Solar energy is on par with other forms of renewable energy. They have inexpensive upkeep and today's systems can work in a variety of conditions.
