After researching top-performing solar companies across the United States, we’ve narrowed down our top recommendations for homeowners in the Palmetto State. Our team selected Blue Raven Solar as the best solar company in South Carolina due to its low-interest in-house financing and 18 months of free solar, making the switch to solar more affordable. We also recommend LGCY Power for its guided consultation process, providing support from sign-up through installation.
Thanks to its abundant sunlight and strong solar incentives, South Carolina is an excellent place to invest in solar energy. We’ll compare these leading providers based on reputation, warranty coverage, customer satisfaction, and overall value to help you find the best fit for your home.
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Compare Solar Companies Across SC
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | Varies |
BBB ratings accurate as of March 2025.
South Carolina’s Top Solar Energy Companies:
- Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
- LGCY Power: Best Solar Consultation
Our Top Solar Company Picks for South Carolina
Blue Raven Solar
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides a unique financing option that includes 18 months of free solar energy
- Sells SunPowers’s high-efficiency solar products
- Has won multiple awards for its in-house team
Cons
- Offers one of the shortest guarantees among companies we reviewed
- Doesn’t have solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) financing options
- Some customer reviews mention aggressive sales tactics
Why We Chose Blue Raven
Blue Solar Raven has a great reputation for its reliability and trustworthiness. The company also stands out for its in-house loan option, which includes 18 months of free solar energy. We noted that online customer reviews praised the company’s knowledgeable staff and prompt installation.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
A Blue Raven Solar system comes with a 25-year warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
Reputation and Awards
Blue Raven has won several awards from Comparably, a site known for its comprehensive company culture and reputation reviews. Comparably recognized Blue Raven for Best Operations Team 2022, Best Sales Team 2022, Best Product and Design Team 2022, Best Places to Work in Salt Lake City 2022, and Best Company Outlook 2022. Its 2021 wins include Best Company for Diversity 2021, Best CEO 2021, Best Company Work-Life Balance, and Best Career Growth 2021. Blue Raven Solar ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA in 2021.
What Are the Available Solar Incentives in South Carolina?
South Carolina offers several incentives to reduce solar panel system costs. Its state income tax rebate is one of the most generous in the country.
Federal Tax Credit
The federal solar tax credit, now called the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit, lets you deduct 30% of your solar installation costs from your federal taxes. This credit applies to systems installed between 2022 and 2032 and applies if you purchase your system outright or finance it with a loan.
Net Metering
South Carolina’s net metering program lets you earn credits for excess electricity your solar panels send back to the grid. You can apply these credits to future energy bills. Utilities like Dominion Energy and Duke Energy offer net metering programs, though rates and terms vary. Check with your utility provider for the latest details.
South Carolina State Tax Credit
South Carolina provides a state tax credit that covers 25% of your solar installation costs, up to a maximum benefit of $35,000. You can claim up to $3,500 or 50% of your state tax liability per year, whichever is lower, and carry forward any remaining credit for up to 10 years.
Solar Property Tax Exception
South Carolina prevents property tax increases on the added value from your solar system if it is 20 kilowatts (kW) or less. Installing solar panels won’t raise your home’s taxable value, keeping your property tax bill the same.
Additional Incentives
Some local utility providers, such as Santee Cooper, offer rebates to help lower your installation costs. Contact your utility company to find available incentives and savings opportunities.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
Cost isn’t the only thing to look at when comparing solar providers. The following factors can have a big impact on your investment and experience.
Solar Services
Not all solar companies offer the same products and services. Some only sell solar panels, while others offer solar batteries, inverters, and other equipment. A company that sells multiple solar solutions may provide bundling opportunities.
Some providers handle all installation with a certified, in-house crew, while others outsource installation. This can affect your warranty coverage, project timeline, and customer service.
Find out if a company offers any solar monitoring services. This can help you track panel performance and see how your system benefits you. Many companies now have a mobile app for customers that allows them to monitor system performance from their phones.
Warranties
Most solar companies offer the following warranties:
- Manufacturer’s warranty (or product warranty): This protects the solar panel system’s components in case of defects.
- Workmanship warranty: This covers installation in case of poor workmanship or faulty installation materials.
- Performance (or power production) guarantee: This guarantees the system’s output functions as outlined in your contract.
The best companies offer warranties that match the typical solar panel lifespan of 25 years, though some limit their workmanship warranty to 10 years. For long-term reliability, we recommend finding a company that provides at least a 20-year warranty.
Payment Options
You can finance a solar panel system in several ways, each with its own benefits and limitations. Your choice affects your solar payback period, which is the time it takes to recover your investment through energy savings.
- Full purchase: Paying upfront gives you immediate ownership, qualifies you for all available solar incentives, and provides the shortest payback period, typically between six to ten years.
- Solar loan: A loan lets you pay for your system in monthly installments while still owning it and qualifying for tax credits and rebates. Due to interest costs, the payback period is slightly longer than a full purchase.
- Solar lease: With a lease, you make fixed monthly payments, but the solar company retains ownership. You won’t qualify for most solar incentives, and your long-term savings will be lower.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): A PPA allows you to pay for the energy your system produces with no upfront costs, but you don’t own the system or receive tax benefits, resulting in limited savings over time.
While leases and PPAs reduce initial costs, they extend the solar payback period and disqualify you from key incentives. We recommend purchasing your system outright or financing it with a solar loan for the best long-term savings and a faster return on investment.
Customer Support
Choose a company that’s easy to reach by offering multiple contact methods. Pay attention to their customer service hours as well. Since issues and questions can arise outside regular business hours, look for a company that provides support in the evenings and on weekends.
Ideally, a company will offer at least a couple of these contact points:
- Mobile app
- Online chat
- Online portal
- Phone
- Website service request form
How To Get a Solar Quote in South Carolina
Getting a solar quote in South Carolina is a quick and simple process. Follow these steps to receive an estimate from a provider:
- Visit the provider’s website: Look for the “Get a Quote” button or page.
- Fill out the required information: Most companies ask for basic details such as your contact information, location, property type, roof size, and slope.
- Receive your quote: Some companies provide an instant estimate on their website, while others will email a quote.
- Call for a quote if preferred: If you’d rather speak to a representative, contact the provider’s customer support line for a phone estimate.
When we tested the quote process, online estimates took less than 15 minutes, while phone quotes averaged 20 minutes.
Our Conclusion
Blue Raven Solar stands out for South Carolina homeowners with its in-house financing and free solar promotions. While both providers on this list are strong options, the best choice depends on your home and energy needs. Before deciding, we recommend requesting free quotes from at least three solar companies.
Other South Carolina Home Service Resources
- Home Warranty South Carolina
- Pet Insurance South Carolina
- Reviews of Moving Companies in South Carolina
FAQs About Solar Companies in South Carolina
Are solar panels worth it in South Carolina?
Yes, solar panels are worth it in South Carolina. The state has excellent incentives and a relatively high electricity rate that can mean big savings from going solar. Additionally, installing a residential solar energy system in South Carolina will increase your home value.
Do HOAs regulate solar panels in South Carolina?
Homeowners’ associations, or HOAs, are allowed to regulate solar panel installation in South Carolina. You’ll need to check with your HOA in addition to getting necessary local permits before installing a solar energy system.
Can I get free solar panels in South Carolina?
No, you can’t get free solar panels in South Carolina. No state currently offers free solar panels. However, you can get $0 up-front financing through many providers.
Our Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
