Bringing clean power to the Palmetto State

The state of solar in Greenville

With an average of 220 sunny days each year,^*Best Places. Greenville, South Carolina Climate, May 2021. nearly 70% of the rooftops in Greenville are solar viable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). All that sunshine isn't the only reason going solar in Greenville is easy, either. South Carolina also offers generous solar incentives, which have fueled steady clean energy growth in the area.

How much solar energy does Greenville produce?

Greenville County as a whole is home to 2,256 solar installations with a capacity of 25.9 MW. The city of Greenville makes a significant contribution to those totals, with 1,032 installations generating 12.66 MW of electricity. The area currently has one large-scale solar farm, a 5-acre, 748 kW array at Furman University, and greenlit four more in 2019.^*Greenville News. After initial opposition, solar company will get tax break for 4 Greenville solar farms. July 2019. Each farm will have a capacity of 2 MW.

What are the advantages of going solar in Greenville?

Not only will switching to solar help reduce carbon emissions in our community, but you also stand to see significant electricity cost savings. A 5 kW residential solar system could offer more than $27,000 in savings over 20 years of use and may pay for itself in less than a decade.^*Energy Sage. Solar Panels in Greenville, SC. May 2021.

Once you reach the break-even point, you'll enjoy virtually free electricity. If your system is properly sized and you have backup battery storage or take advantage of net metering, you might even be able to eliminate your bill completely. Net metering is a process by which you transfer your excess electricity back to the grid for a credit on your bill to be used in times of low production.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

Installing a solar system can also increase the value of your home. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for every $1 saved through a solar system, your home's value will increase by $20. With that in mind, you could add more than $27,000 to your home’s value by installing a 5kW solar system.

How much does solar cost in Greenville?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Local weather

• Available unshaded roof space

• Quality of the solar system, panels, and parts

• Household’s energy needs

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by a third-party source for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 In Greenville, we found that the cost of owning a 5kW solar system ranges from $14,000 to $32,400, or in other words, from $2.80 to $6.48 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

South Carolina boasts one of the most impressive solar incentives in the country, and, in many cases, it can be coupled with federal offers. You may be able to claim a 26% Federal solar tax credit along with South Carolina’s 25% state tax credit.

The federal credit has no limit, but the state credit is capped at $35,000. Additionally, you can only claim up to 50% of your tax liability each year. The credit can be carried over for ten years.^*The availability of tax credits is subject to change. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Greenville?

Working with a reputable solar company is the best way to ensure that your new solar system meets your energy needs without exceeding your budget. Solar systems may vary in quality, appearance, and durability, and you’ll need to consider a range of factors to select the right system size and set up.

The size of your system and the number of panels you need will depend on factors such as the size of your roof, your average energy usage, and your goals. If you hope to generate excess power to participate in a net metering program, you may choose to install a large system with high-efficiency panels covering all your available roof space.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to minimize upfront costs or maintain the look of your home, a more compact system with high-efficiency panels can help produce more energy with fewer panels.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards going solar in Greenville, request a free consultation today. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time, or you can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.