Solar panel installation in North Augusta, SC

Most North Augusta addresses are served by Dominion Energy South Carolina, but Aiken Electric Cooperative serves many properties in and around the city. It matters because a cooperative is not covered by South Carolina’s net energy metering chapter and sets its own export credit, so the two pay differently for the same exported power. We read it off your bill before designing.

The one whose licence checks out with SC LLR (the Residential Builders Commission and contractor licensing), whose quote names Dominion Energy and states about 13,780 kWh a year for 9.5 kW, and who services what it installs. Ours does all three, with a lifetime full-system warranty.

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 North Augusta that 9.5 kW system makes about 13,780 kWh a year unshaded; your quote depends on roof, shade and usage.

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.

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.

Qualifying residential systems of 20 kW or less are exempt from South Carolina property tax. Check with the Aiken County (city limits extend into Edgefield County) assessor.

72% of North Augusta 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.

It depends on your governing documents, because South Carolina has no law that stops an HOA restricting solar. Newer North Augusta subdivisions often have architectural guidelines, and we prepare the review packet and coordinate approval as part of every install.

A building permit and a separate electrical permit for a rooftop system; Permits issued by the City of North Augusta itself, not by Aiken County or Edgefield County, for any address inside city limits; A land-disturbance or stormwater permit from the city where the work disturbs ground, which applies to some ground-mounted arrays; A zoning review as well for any ground-mounted array. We pull every one through Aiken County (city limits extend into Edgefield County) and book the inspections.

Your roof needs replacing within about five years. Your power bill is under roughly $90 a month. Mature canopy on the older river-side streets shades your best roof planes for much of the day.