South Carolina Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

I am a 59 year old male who has been around the world a few times with the U.S. AIR fORCE. It does not supprise me that our Goverment(Gov.) is still in the anchient ages. It seems that someone would be bright enough to put in some types of reliefs to the South Carolina People. Solor power is clean and effeciant for the earth, what is our (Gov.)doing. I am also a Disabled Vetran and I have done enough damage to the earth, now I am trying to help clean it up.

Renewable resources are the wave of the future, we are living in history right now. We can change things right now, we have the power to do it. The question is are we going to change? There is alot more involved than just swirly light bulbs and solar panels. It’s a complete economic lifestyle change. We can do this, with the right educating, commitment, and working together. Solar panels is a great start. Think smater, think for the Earth.

I have an 1,000 sq ft home ranch. I have always been interested in solar heating and cooling, only recently have I been able to find out a little more about it. From the quote about the price, how does that work? There must be something smaller and less expensive for a small home?

Hi Carol, I’d need to know more information. Please email me directly and maybe I can answer your questions.

It’s very disappointing to see states such as SC do next to nothing to encourage people to use renewable sources of energy. $50,000 gets you a tax credit of about 10%? Not very generous… But, the state will give hundreds of millions in tax breaks to corporations for a whole host of other things. Once again, it proves that SC as well as other states don’t “really” want to make a difference.

Is there a program for tall buildings. I live in a four building, four story Villa. Is there something for this type of building? Our current electric bill is $26,000 for this past year, but rates are projected to rise by 30% I believe on Hilton Head. Thanks for your help.

The solar rebates for South Carolina is 25% of the cost up to $35,000 with the max each year for 10 years is $3,500.

http://www.energy.sc.gov/index.aspx?m=1&t=5&h=19

It is getting better. The Federal tax rebate for residential is no longer capped @ $2000. It is now 30% of system cost. There are also many grants and rebates available depending upon your situation. If we all chip in, solar can make a difference. http://dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=SC&RE=1&EE=1

i have a company selling and installing solar water heating systems in the bluffton, hilton head, and savannah area. the problem i am running into are gated communities. their covenents say nothing shall be mounted on roofs. when approached about solar panels they go (duh, what do we do). they have never been approached about solar so they just ignore the idea. what do we do? when are getting a ruling like the fcc for sattelite dishes where they cannot deny someone solar panels

I am leaving Washington, DC and will be moving to Columbia, SC sometime this coming spring. I am looking for work in the solar/wind industry. Can anyone help me find companies to interview with? Thank you all, my email is adrianj.day@gmail.com.

I have been involved in the electrical and energy industry for over 25 years in SC. The problem for solar electric is the cost of the cells. Until the price comes down, and the incentives go up, little will change. In Germany, any consumer – business or homeowner – who installs solar electic is guaranteed a fixed electric rate for as long as they own/use the panels. PLUS, if they connect to the grid, they guarantee to be paid excess electric, which goes back on the grid, at the prevailing current rate. What that means is they all put in extra panels (with low interest monies earmarked for the program) and sell back power each month on the grid. The extra power “pays” for the interest and thus they owner has NO electric bill – ever! As rate continue to climb, the owner ends up making income each month.
Wind power for SC is not practical. The cost of a turbine, with our wind potential profile, will never allow a payback. Wind turbines require MUCH maintenance and have a useful life of only 10-20 years, thus no payback (as long as electric rates remain low). Wave power is promising and can be done with limited geographic “damage” to the SC coast. THE answer will remain Nuclear, although the use of coal is MUCH greater than Nuclear over the next 20 years. The saddest thing is that the average person cannot discern the truth about electrical power and the politicians are truly not intelligent enough – or honest enough – to effect a change. And finally, the amount of money a homeowner would spend on solar electric – spend a FRACTION of that cost on improving the energy “envelope” of your house (i.e. overly insulate, seal leaks, high eff AC, etc) and the paybacks are immediate and last a lifetime.

I am looking to find accurate information on switching over to solar for both my business and home. I have not had much success finding information that is helpful and find it all very frustration. Your help would be much appreciated.