Plug-In Solar in South Carolina — Status: deferred
Bill: H 4579 — Plug-In Solar Device Access Act
Sponsor: Rep. Robby Robbins
Legislative Status: In House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. No committee vote yet.
Current Status: In House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee (2026)
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in South Carolina?
A dedicated statewide plug-in solar pathway is not currently active in South Carolina; H 4579 is listed as deferred. Before installing or connecting equipment, confirm current utility or interconnection rules, local code or permit requirements, property or lease conditions, outlet and electrical suitability, and the equipment listing and manufacturer instructions.
Last Updated: March 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 13.6¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $175/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 4¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.9 |
| Retail Choice | none |
Key Provisions
Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from utility interconnection requirements.
What You Can Do
If passed: self-install without Dominion Energy SC or Duke Energy Carolinas approval.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Law not yet enacted. South Carolina utilities currently require interconnection agreements.
Available Rebates & Incentives
South Carolina 25% state solar tax credit (capped at $3,500/year, $10,500 total over 3 years). Santee Cooper Rooftop Solar Rebate Program for Santee Cooper customers. Property tax exemption for renewable energy systems. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- South Carolina Solar Tax Credit — DSIRE — 25% state income tax credit on solar costs, capped at $3,500/year ($10,500 total over 3 years).
- Santee Cooper — Rooftop Solar Rebate Program — Rebate program for Santee Cooper residential customers installing rooftop solar.
- DSIRE — South Carolina Solar Incentives — Full list of South Carolina state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 5,370,577 |
| Total Households | 2,117,989 |
| Owner-Occupied | 1,522,834 |
| Renter-Occupied | 595,155 |
| Single-Family Homes | 1,485,569 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 297,263 |
| Median Household Income | $63,900 |
| Median Home Value | $269,400 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 5.24 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 20° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1160 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | May-June |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Dominion Energy South Carolina | ~800,000 customers | Yes |
| Santee Cooper | ~212,597 customers | No |
| Palmetto Electric Cooperative | ~75,000 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm — Canary Media (February 2026)
Explore Your Next Steps in South Carolina
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your SC setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in South Carolina — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- Understand off-grid and grid-connected use — Separate truly off-grid or portable solar from equipment that connects to a building circuit or utility grid.