Solar Opportunities - South Carolina

State Tax Incentives

Solar Energy and Small Hydropower Tax Credit

South Carolina property owners who install solar energy and small hydropower systems are able to claim a personal tax credit of 25% of the cost of purchasing and installing the system. Solar systems that are eligible include solar water heat, solar space heat, photovoltaic, solar cooling, and daylighting systems. The tax credit has a limit of $3500 or 50% of the taxpayers liability (whichever is less). More information on eligibility requirements and other details are available here.  

The tax forms are available here. 

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.