Aiken, SC Solar: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Aiken
If you live in Aiken, SC, and have watched your electricity bill climb, you are not alone. Across South Carolina, electricity prices have increased 11% from 2020 to 2024, leaving many homeowners searching for a more predictable way to power their homes. With Aiken’s sunny climate, solar is a natural fit.
That is where solar comes in. At Palmetto, we help Aiken residents understand how solar installation works, what to expect, and whether it fits their needs. To get started, explore our guide on home solar panels and learn how clean energy can work for your home.
SOUTH CAROLINA by the Numbers
- 20th Most residential solar in the United States
- 38 Households have installed solar panels
- 5.2 Avg peak sun hours per day
- ~$44k Aiken average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Aiken, SC?
See real solar costs for Aiken, SC—built from our actual local installations. Whether you’re in Gem Lakes, Cedar Creek, Crosland Park, or Woodside, this calculator uses firsthand data from homes near you. Just enter a few details to get a clear, honest estimate for your home.
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in South Carolina.
Recommended System
7.38 kW
Your Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost with LightReach $93/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
- System Cost: $20,936
- Price per Watt: $2.84
- State Incentives: -$3,500
- Final Cost: $17,436
Savings
Your total financial benefit
- Monthly Savings: $102
- Payback Period: 11.9 years
- 25-Year Savings: $44,419
Palmetto Reviews
Overall a good experience and has definitely made a huge financial impact on the money I am spending on electricity as well as everyone that I have spoken has always been professional.
Madeline Manfredi
Columbia, South Carolina
Palmetto made the whole process of having solar panels installed easy for the home owner and everyone I interacted with was professional and helpful. We are very satisfied with the product!
Lindsay Holley
South Carolina, South Carolina
We were recommended by a friend to pursue Palmetto Solar. The setup process was thorough and all my concerns were addressed by the representative. The installation was seamless and we are just waiting for our power company to make the final approvals! Great company!
Travis Guthrie
South Carolina, South Carolina
Key Takeaways
- Aiken’s sunny climate makes solar a smart fit, with 5.2 average peak sun hours per day helping homeowners save around $44,000 over 25 years.
- South Carolina incentives can lower your costs, including a 25% state tax credit, property and sales tax exemptions, net metering, and Duke Energy rebates.
- You can go solar with no upfront cost by leasing through LightReach, where Palmetto owns and maintains the system while you enjoy savings from day one.
Aiken Electricity Prices
If you live in Aiken, SC, and have watched your electricity bill climb, you are not alone.
South Carolina electricity prices rose from 12.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents in 2024, about a 9% increase. While that stays below the national average, costs keep trending upward year after year.
Solar installation in Aiken gives homeowners a way to understand and manage these rising costs. By generating your own power, you rely less on the grid and gain more predictability over what you pay each month.
Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average
- US Average: 16.0¢
- South Carolina: 14.1¢
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Form 861
Aiken Area Utility Providers
If you live in Aiken, SC, you likely get power from Dominion Energy or Santee Cooper. In 2023, Dominion charged about 14.4¢ per kWh and Santee Cooper about 11.4¢ per kWh.
Aiken Utilities Electricity Rates
- Dominion Energy: 14.40¢
- Santee Cooper: 11.40¢
- SC Average: 13.70¢
- US Average: 16.0¢
Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023, Form 861, Table 6
South Carolina Solar Incentives
Aiken homeowners can tap several solar incentives in South Carolina to help offset the cost of going solar.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Solar Energy Tax Credit (TC-38) | Tax Credit | Homeowners can claim 25% of their total solar installation cost as a state income tax credit, up to $3,500 per year, for up to 10 years. | Learn More |
| South Carolina Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | South Carolina provides a 100% property tax exemption for residential solar PV systems up to 20 kW, including paired battery storage. | Learn More |
| South Carolina Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | South Carolina exempts solar energy equipment from the state’s 6% sales tax. | Learn More |
| South Carolina Net Metering Policy | Net Metering | Allows homeowners to earn bill credits for excess solar energy sent to the grid. | Learn More |
| Duke Energy PowerPair Solar + Battery Incentive Program | Rebate | Duke Energy residential customers can receive up to $9,000 in incentives for solar and battery systems installed together. | Learn More |
| Duke Energy Power Manager / EnergyWise Home Battery Bill Credit Program | Rebate | Duke Energy customers can earn $6.50 per kW of battery capacity per month. | Learn More |
Aiken Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Aiken’s sunny climate and mild Southern weather make it ideal for solar.
Solar Production in Aiken by Month
System Size: 5 kW, 7 kW, 10 kW
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
- 43.9 kWh/day
Winter Production (December)
- 28.8 kWh/day
Annual Production
- 14,604 kWh/year
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Solar Panel Systems in Aiken
We’ve mapped solar installations across the United States. Explore this interactive heatmap to see how many of your Aiken neighbors have made the switch to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Aiken, your power likely comes from Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC). With a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through Palmetto’s LightReach program, you pay a set price for each kilowatt-hour your panels produce instead of a fixed monthly amount.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aiken, SC have net metering? Yes. Most Aiken homes are served by Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC), which offers 1:1 net metering on its Rate 5 Time-of-Use plan.
Do solar panels increase your home value in Aiken, SC? Yes, in Aiken, SC, solar panels can increase your home’s value when you own the system.
How much does it cost to go solar in Aiken, SC? In Aiken, a LightReach lease starts around $93/month, with no upfront cost.
What solar incentives are available in Aiken, SC? Aiken homeowners can use several South Carolina solar incentives, including a 25% state income tax credit.
How much electricity can a solar system produce in Aiken, SC? In Aiken, a typical 7 kW home solar system produces roughly 10,000 kWh per year.
What’s the best solar company in Aiken, SC? At Palmetto, we’ve completed 1,145 solar installations across South Carolina since 2020.