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10 Best Solar Companies in Charleston, SC

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

Year after year, more Charleston homeowners adopt rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and lower their carbon footprint. Solar power can cut your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a trustworthy solar installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we assembled a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Charleston. These installers offer dependable quality service.

Our Recommended Providers

Best Overall
4.7/5
  • High-quality Maxeon solar panels
  • Nearly 30 years in business
  • Great customer service
Best Financing Options
4.3/5
  • BluePower Plus+ financing program
  • Good selection of quality panels
  • Most affordable options
Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.2/5
  • Long warranty options
  • Insurance available on panels
  • Free Tesla Power Wall maintenance

Top 10 Best Solar Companies in Charleston

LGCY Power

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7410 Northside Dr Suite #240, Charleston, SC 29420 (843) 905-2774 lgcypower.com

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Emergency services
Residential panels
Permit assistance
Maintenance
Consultation

Second Sunrise Solar

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537 Long Point Rd Suite 203, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 268-4284 secondsunrisesolar.com

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Residential panels
Consultation
Commercial panels
Battery storage
Permit assistance
Financing assistance

SCSP Solar

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460 King St Ste 200, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 235-1035 scspsolar.com

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Maintenance
Full-service
Battery storage
Residential panels
Financing assistance

SC Solar Energy

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4000 Faber Pl Dr, North Charleston, SC 29405 (843) 994-2373 sc-solarenergy.com

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Maintenance
Residential panels
Commercial panels
Battery storage
Cleaning
Financing assistance

Palmetto Solar

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997 Morrison Dr Ste 200, Charleston, SC 29403 (855) 339-1831 palmetto.com

Free quotes

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Maintenance
Residential panels

180 Degrees Solar

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441 Meeting St Ste 221, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 229-7439 180degreessolar.com

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Services Offered

Off-grid solar systems
Commercial panels
Consultation
Battery storage
Residential panels

Live Oak Energy Systems

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1005 Bankton Cir, Hanahan, SC 29410 (706) 346-3556 liveoakenergysystems.com

Free quotes

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Battery storage
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Maintenance

RayWell Solar

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460 King St Ste 200, Charleston, SC 29403 (843) 203-0320 raywellsolar.com

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Residential panels
Consultation

SolarAIR and Energy

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1156 Bowman Rd #271, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 352-7556 solarairandenergy.com

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Full-service
Residential panels

Flowertown Solar Systems

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616 S Magnolia St, Summerville, SC 29483 (843) 896-3169 solar-summerville.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Skilled repairs
Consultation
Residential panels
Off-grid solar systems
Maintenance
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

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:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

How To Choose a Solar Company

Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is right for you, consider these key factors.

Check Licensing

It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. South Carolina regulations differentiate 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. Solar thermal installers need a Certificate of Authorization in plumbing and a supervising licensed plumber on their team.

Read Customer Reviews

Look at review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to find out what previous customers say about local solar installers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s reliability and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should explain all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers any installation defects (such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Solar energy can help lower your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.

  • Look into utility rebates: Local power companies may have extra financial benefits to motivate homeowners to install solar panels. Review the qualification rules and rebate amounts with your local provider to calculate your potential savings.
  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit on the full cost of solar systems is available through 2032. Many states also provide incentives. These credits can lead to substantial savings for solar buyers.
  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels can be purchased outright or financed over time with a lease or loan. Verify key financing details like annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, fees, and ownership implications when financing solar panels.

Cost of Solar Installation in Charleston

The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the solar technology used. The typical Charleston solar array has a capacity of 7.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,450 per kilowatt; the average Charleston homeowners spends roughly $18,073 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for factors such as the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.

Charleston Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: santeecoopersolar.com

Incentive Amount:

Residential and Commercial: $1.05/W
Non-Profit: $1.30/W

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: energy.sc.gov

Incentive Amount:

25% of eligible costs

Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit

Website: energy.sc.gov

Incentive Amount:

25% of eligible costs

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

100% exemption

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: ecowatch.com

Incentive Amount:

30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Charleston, SC

Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.

With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.

It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in South Carolina being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't reach peak performance until summer arrives.

Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Charleston, the average amount someone can save is $1,863 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.

Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, their rated capacity, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Charleston has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 9.7 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.

Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive compensation for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.

Yes, solar panels can still provide you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.

Solar panels are on par with other forms of renewable energy. Their maintenance costs are low and today's systems can generate and manage energy under more conditions.

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