Most addresses
Dominion Energy South Carolina
- Average home rate (2024)
- 14.59¢/kWh
- Paid for exported solar
- about 2.8–4.1¢ per kWh
- Net-metered home solar, utility-wide
- 16,090
SC solar company · Daniel Island office
Solar panel installation in Columbia, SC
Comparing solar companies in Columbia? We handle solar panel installation in Columbia from your first Dominion Energy bill review to switch-on. In the Midlands capital, we bring the same honest, education-first solar we’re known for in the Lowcountry, sized to Columbia homes and Columbia summers.
- $18,454 typical cost after the 25% SC credit (9.5 kW)
- Lifetime full-system and roof-penetration warranty
- Our own crews, owner-run, callbacks within the hour
Free roof and bill assessment
Takes under a minute. No pressure, and no guaranteed-savings math.
- 30+ yrscombined team experience
- ~450combined experienced installs
- Lifetimefull-system + roof-penetration warranty
- StatewideSC-based crews, callbacks within the hour
- Daniel Island, SC Our office: 500 Seven Farms Drive, #301, Daniel Island, SC 29492
Solar in Columbia · as of October 2026
Key takeaways
- A typical 9.5 kW system here costs about $24,605 installed, or $18,454 after South Carolina’s 25% credit.
- The federal homeowner credit ended on December 31, 2025. The 25% SC credit did not.
- One-for-one net metering closed to new applicants on 1 June 2021, and new Dominion Energy South Carolina systems are credited under Solar Choice instead, at roughly 2.8–4.1¢ per kWh for exports.
- Permits, historic-district review, HOAs and structural review shape the design. We handle the paperwork for all of it.
Bill-to-size
What size system does your Columbia bill need?
Enter up to three recent bills. We average them, convert to kilowatt-hours at your own rate, and show the size band that covers your usage. Nothing is sent anywhere until you choose to send it.
Your size band will appear here.
Add one bill and your rate to start.
- Yearly usage
- —
- System size
- —
- Likely production
- —
- Installed price band
- —
- South Carolina credit
- —
Your figures travel with the form, so you do not retype them.
An estimate for planning, not a quote. Real sizing depends on the roof planes, shade and the panel we can actually get, and we confirm it on site. The price band uses $2.59 per watt, a statewide figure. Tax treatment depends on your own liability. We are not tax advisers.
Solar in Columbia
Solar companies in Columbia: what is different here
Most Columbia and Richland County addresses are served by Dominion Energy South Carolina, with Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and Fairfield Electric Cooperative covering some surrounding pockets, which we confirm from your meter before design. Under Dominion’s current Solar Choice framework, exported energy is credited on a time-of-use / export basis rather than the older 1:1 net metering, which closed to new applicants on 1 June 2021. Columbia’s hot Midlands summers drive high afternoon cooling loads, which is often where a well-sized system and, for some homes, a battery make the most sense.
Many Columbia and Midlands neighborhoods have HOAs with architectural guidelines, and historic districts near the core add design rules, we prepare the review packet for you. Older and newer roofs alike get careful mounting and sealed penetrations, backed by our lifetime roof-penetration warranty.
Homes in Columbia
What Columbia's homes mean for solar
- 24,477owner-occupied homes (47% of 51,784)
- 1978median year homes were built
- 51%of homes are single-family detached
- $244kmedian owner-occupied home value
- Half of Columbia homes are more than 48 years old, so the roof check matters here: a roof with under ten years left should be replaced before solar goes on, or at the same time.
- Only 51% of homes are single-family detached. In townhomes and condos the association or shared roof decides first, so we check governing documents before anything else.
- 24,477 Columbia households own their home, the ones who can install and claim the state credit.
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for Columbia city. Estimates, rounded.
Honest numbers
Solar panel cost in Columbia, and what you can claim
$2.59 per watt South Carolina benchmark, July 2026. Worked examples, not a quote.
| System size | Before incentives | SC 25% credit | Net after credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,540 | $3,885 over 2 tax years | $11,655 |
| 9.5 kWClosest to our ~9.5 kW average system | $24,605 | $6,151 over 2 tax years | $18,454 |
| 12 kW | $31,080 | $7,770 over 3 tax years | $23,310 |
- EndedFederal 30% homeowner creditEnded December 31, 2025 (IRS).
- AvailableSC 25% state credit (TC-38)$6,151 over 2 tax years on a 9.5 kW system here.
- AvailableProperty taxQualifying residential systems of 20 kW or less are exempt from South Carolina property tax.
- NoneDominion Energy cash rebateNone from Dominion Energy South Carolina.
Buying or leasing: what changes in 2026
| You own it (cash or loan) | Lease or PPA | |
|---|---|---|
| SC 25% state credit | You claim it | You cannot claim it |
| Upfront cost | Cash, or a loan from $0 down | Usually none |
| When you sell the house | The system is part of the home | The buyer must take over the agreement |
| Price over time | Fixed once paid off | Check for a yearly escalator |
One-for-one net metering closed to new applicants on 1 June 2021, and new Dominion Energy South Carolina systems are credited under Solar Choice instead, at roughly 2.8–4.1¢ per kWh for exports. Solar panel cost in Columbia: the full breakdown · Columbia solar incentives · Financing options
Your utility decides payback
Three utilities serve Columbia. They do not pay the same.
Dominion Energy South Carolina and Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and Fairfield Electric Cooperative split Columbia street by street. We read yours off your bill first.
Some addresses
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative
- Average home rate (2024)
- 14.88¢/kWh
- Paid for exported solar
- Set by the co-op; we confirm it per account
- Net-metered home solar, utility-wide
- 186
Some addresses
Fairfield Electric Cooperative
- Average home rate (2024)
- 14.35¢/kWh
- Paid for exported solar
- Set by the co-op; we confirm it per account
- Net-metered home solar, utility-wide
- Not reported
For comparison: South Carolina average 14.23¢ · U.S. average 16.48¢. South Carolina had 40,055 net-metered home solar systems at the end of 2024.
Rates: US EIA Form EIA-861, 2024 averages incl. fixed charges, not tariffs. Export terms as of July 2026.
Columbia sun, month by month
What a 9.5 kW system makes in Columbia
About 13,550 kWh a year from a south-facing roof with no shade. May is the strongest month at about 1,291 kWh and December the weakest at about 837 kWh.
Your roof will differ. Established neighbourhoods such as the older parts of the city carry substantial hardwood and pine canopy, while the newer suburban rings are largely open.
Estimate: NASA POWER sun data for Columbia, PVWatts model, south-facing, no shade.
Choosing a company
How to choose between solar companies in Columbia, SC
Start with your meter, not the panels. Most Columbia and Richland County addresses are on Dominion Energy South Carolina, but Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and Fairfield Electric Cooperative serve addresses around the metro, and the export terms differ between them.
A quote from any Columbia solar company should say which of those utilities its savings figure assumes. One that models Dominion terms for a cooperative meter, or the retired one-for-one net metering for either, overstates what the system will save.
Then the street. A wide mix: historic districts with real design controls near the city core, and newer suburban HOAs further out. Which applies depends entirely on your street. A solar panel installation in Columbia also needs a building permit and a separate electrical permit for a rooftop system and structural review under Richland County requirements.
Columbia summers are the hottest in the state, so cooling load peaks hard in exactly the hours a rooftop array produces hardest, and summer storm outages do occur.
Columbia specifics
What installing in Columbia actually involves
Six things shape a Columbia design. Getting them right is most of the job.
- 01
Your utility, confirmed per address
Most of Columbia is on Dominion Energy South Carolina, but Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and Fairfield Electric Cooperative serve addresses around the metro. Your utility sets what you are paid for exported power.
- 02
What shades your roof here
Established neighbourhoods such as the older parts of the city carry substantial hardwood and pine canopy, while the newer suburban rings are largely open.
- 03
Mounting and structural review
Inland, so salt exposure is not a factor and wind loading is lower than on the coast. South Carolina structural requirements and Richland County review still apply.
- 04
Historic districts and HOAs
A wide mix: historic districts with real design controls near the city core, and newer suburban HOAs further out. Which applies depends entirely on your street.
- 05
Outages and climate
Columbia summers are the hottest in the state, so cooling load peaks hard in exactly the hours a rooftop array produces hardest, and summer storm outages do occur.
- 06
Permits in Richland County
A building permit and a separate electrical permit for a rooftop system. We pull all of it and manage the inspection sequence.
Before you sign
How to choose a solar company in Columbia
- 1
The licence covers the work
Look the business up with SC LLR (the Residential Builders Commission and contractor licensing) before you sign, and ask which licence covers the electrical work in Richland County.
- 2
Who is on the roof
Ask who installs and who services the system. Our own crews do both, from Daniel Island.
- 3
About 13,550 kWh a year, in writing
That is the unshaded ceiling for a 9.5 kW system in Columbia. A quote far above it, or one with no kWh figure, is guessing.
- 4
Dominion Energy, by name
The quote should use about 2.8–4.1¢ per kWh for exports, or the terms of whichever utility your bill names, not a national average.
- 5
The credit, year by year
9.5 kW at $24,605 claims $6,151 over 2 tax years. A quote should show that schedule, not one lump sum.
How it works
From your bill to switch-on, and you file nothing
- 1
Free assessment
We read 12 months of your Dominion Energy bills (or whichever utility your bill names) and check roof age, shade and orientation.
- 2
Design and a written quote
One Columbia design sized to your usage at the $2.59 per watt benchmark, with annual kWh and the 25% SC credit year by year.
- 3
Approvals
7 approvals in Richland County, plus historic-district review where it applies. We file all of them.
- 4
Installation and inspection
Standard structural attachment, then the Richland County inspections, which we book and attend.
- 5
Switch-on
Dominion Energy approves the interconnection and adds its about $14 a month solar charge. We tell you the day you are live.
Every approval a Columbia system has to clear (7)
- A building permit and a separate electrical permit for a rooftop system
- Standard plan review for systems of roughly 10 kW and above
- A zoning review as well for any ground-mounted array
- An additional electrical permit where battery storage is included
- Structural review under Richland County requirements
- Historic-district or HOA approval where it applies, which we prepare
- Interconnection approval from whichever utility serves your meter
Dominion Energy also charges a standing monthly fee of about $14 a month on solar accounts, which we include in payback.
Want this mapped onto your roof? The assessment is free and takes one visit.
Book my free assessment or call (843) 310-1128Our work
Real systems our crews have installed
Our own job photos, not stock or renders. Inland, so salt exposure is not a factor and wind loading is lower than on the coast.
ResidentialStanding-seam metal roofLakeside multi-facet install
ResidentialDetached garage arrayFarmhouse-style home
ResidentialShingle rooftop arrayBackyard-facing slope
ResidentialClean rooftop layoutBlack-framed panels
ResidentialMulti-facet metal roofWooded aerial view- ResidentialFull black-on-blackPoolside single-story home
Photo locations are not published.
Columbia solar FAQ
Common questions from Columbia homeowners
Who is my electric utility in Columbia?
Most Columbia addresses are on Dominion Energy South Carolina; some surrounding areas are on Mid-Carolina or Fairfield electric cooperatives. We confirm your exact utility and export program during the free assessment.
What is the best solar company in Columbia, SC?
The one whose licence checks out with SC LLR (the Residential Builders Commission and contractor licensing), whose quote names Dominion Energy and states about 13,550 kWh a year for 9.5 kW, and who services what it installs. Ours does all three, with a lifetime full-system warranty.
How much do solar panels cost in Columbia?
At the $2.59 per watt benchmark, a 6 kW system is about $15,540 installed and a 9.5 kW system about $24,605. South Carolina’s 25% state credit brings those to about $11,655 and $18,454, claimed at up to $3,500 a year. In Columbia that 9.5 kW system makes about 13,550 kWh a year unshaded; your quote depends on roof, shade and usage.
Does Columbia have net metering?
One-for-one net metering closed to new applicants on 1 June 2021, and new Dominion Energy South Carolina systems are credited under Solar Choice instead, at roughly 2.8–4.1¢ per kWh for exports. Dominion Energy South Carolina households paid about 14.6¢ per kWh on average in 2024, so every kWh you use at home is worth more than one you export, and we size to your usage rather than to fill the roof.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
Not for homeowners who buy: it ended December 31, 2025. South Carolina’s 25% state credit still applies to systems you own, capped at $3,500 a year with a 10-year carry-forward.
Will solar raise my property taxes in Columbia?
Qualifying residential systems of 20 kW or less are exempt from South Carolina property tax. Check with the Richland County assessor.
Should I lease or buy solar in Columbia?
47% of Columbia homes are owner-occupied, and for owners the choice is real. Buying, with cash or a loan, means you own the system, can claim South Carolina’s 25% credit, and add an asset to the house. With a lease or power purchase agreement the provider owns the panels, so you cannot claim the state credit for them, and a buyer of your home has to take over the agreement.
Do Columbia HOAs allow solar panel installation?
In most Columbia-area neighborhoods with an HOA, yes. We prepare the architectural-review packet and coordinate approval as part of every install.
What permits does solar panel installation in Columbia need?
A building permit and a separate electrical permit for a rooftop system; Standard plan review for systems of roughly 10 kW and above; A zoning review as well for any ground-mounted array; An additional electrical permit where battery storage is included. We pull every one through Richland County and book the inspections.
What are the downsides of solar here?
Your roof needs replacing within about five years. Your power bill is under roughly $90 a month. Hardwood or pine canopy shades your best roof planes for much of the day.
Free assessment · Columbia, SC
See what solar looks like at your Columbia address
We read your bill, confirm your Dominion Energy South Carolina export terms, and tell you what your roof in Richland County will actually carry, and say so if it will not pay.
- Most addresses here are on Dominion Energy South Carolina, but Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and Fairfield Electric Cooperative serve addresses around the metro. We confirm yours from your bill before we quote anything
- A building permit and a separate electrical permit for a rooftop system: we pull it and manage the inspections
- A wide mix: historic districts with real design controls near the city core, and newer suburban HOAs further out.
Prefer to talk? (843) 310-1128
Coverage
Are you a solar company near me in Columbia?
Yes. We install in Columbia and across Richland County, from our office on Daniel Island in the Charleston metro. Dominion Energy South Carolina territory is the one we quote against here, and the permit route is Columbia’s own.
What "near me" usually means for a solar job
Distance matters less than three things: whether we are licensed in your state, which utility meters your house, and whether a crew can get back to you for service. All three are settled before we quote, not after.
How to check in one step
Call (843) 310-1128 and give us your address, or send it with the form on this page. We will tell you the same day whether you are inside a market we serve, and we will say so plainly if you are not.
Nearby: Lexington, SC , Blythewood, SC , Sumter, SC
We also install near Columbia
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