Solar Panels in South Carolina: Are They Worth It?

In the first quarter of 2021 alone, the US-installed over 5 gigawatts (GW) of additional solar capacity. That brings the country’s total installed solar capacity to more than 100 GW. What’s more, experts say the market will install even more in the coming months and years.

So, as a Palmetto State resident, you may be wondering if it’s a good idea to invest in solar panels in South Carolina. The simple answer is yes, it is.

We’ll explain in detail below why, so be sure to read on!

Enough Peak Sun Hours

Solar panel performance largely depends on a location’s peak sun hours. Peak sun hours are the time of the day at which the sun’s energy intensity averages 1,000 watts per square meter. So, the more peak sun hours a location gets, the more usable energy the panels can produce.

The good news is that South Carolina gets an average of 4 to 4.5 peak sun hours every day. That’s comparable to Florida, the Sunshine State, and even some parts of Texas!

So, that hefty supply of peak sun hours is one of the reasons solar panels for homes in South Carolina are worth it.

Massive Electricity Savings

In 2019, the average monthly US household electricity use was 877 kilowatt-hour (kWh). That translates to a daily electricity consumption rate of just a little over 29 kWh.

Now, solar panel companies in South Carolina can install panels with outputs of 250 to 400 watts per hour. Since SC gets at least 4 peak sun hours, each solar panel can generate 1,000 to 1,600 watts of energy in that period. So, an array of 20 panels can produce 20,000 watts (20 kW) to 32,000 watts (32 kW) in a day.

Now, let’s assume that you invest in 20 panels capable of producing 300 watts of energy each. With 4 peak sun hours a day, each of your panels can give you 1,200 watts of power, for a total of 24,000 watts or 24 kW per day. That’s around the daily electricity consumption of the average US household!

That means you can potentially trim your electricity bills or even eliminate them. You can then put away all that money as savings.

Rebates and Tax Break for Solar Panels in South Carolina

More than 20 different solar power incentives are available to Palmetto State residents. Some of these are tax credits, a few are loans or grants, while others are solar panel rebates. Many are specific to SC, while others, such as the federal tax credit, are available in all states.

Best of all, you can sign up not just for one but multiple programs simultaneously. Regardless of which one you’re eligible for, they can all help you cut the cost of solar panels in South Carolina.

What’s more, the best solar companies near you can help you take advantage of all rebates you qualify for. They will provide you a list of all programs you may be a good candidate for and then help you sign up for them. For example, they can help you apply for both the federal tax incentive and the SC solar tax credit.

Solar Panels Are Worth It No Matter Where You Are

As you can see, solar panels in South Carolina are worth it as they can help you save on electricity bills. Moreover, solar is one of the cleanest energy sources, so it’s better for the environment. That alone makes solar panels a great investment regardless of where in the world you live.

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