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Is plug-in solar legal in South Carolina?
- Introduced
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Signed
- In effect
What this means for you
✓ What you can do
- Apply for interconnection like any small generator (Certified inverter <=20 kW), typical fee $750.
- Use portable panels with a power station, never connected to house wiring, with no permission at all.
- Install conventional rooftop or ground-mount solar through the standard interconnection process.
✕ Not yet / not allowed
- Plug a grid-tied kit into an outlet without an interconnection agreement; it can breach your service terms.
- Expect a permit or wiring exemption; none exists without a law.
- Count on H 4579 this year: Prefiled 12/16/2025; House LCI; no action; new bill needed 2027.
What the rules say
South Carolina's H 4579 has not advanced; Dominion/Duke interconnection rules apply.
Before you plug in: South Carolina checklist
- The rule that applies is South Carolina Public Service Commission (Dominion, Duke)'s interconnection process: SC Generator Interconnection Standard; Act 62 (2019) Solar Choice.
- A plug-in kit falls in the smallest tier (Certified inverter <=20 kW). Not stated for <=20 kW (Fast Track >20 kW $750).
- Permits: 2020 NEC (2023 pending); local permits; LLR licensing with homeowner exemption.
- Only consider kits with a UL 1741-listed inverter (UL 3700 preferred); a non-listed inverter will not be approved anywhere.
- What exports are worth: Solar Choice netting (Dominion/Duke); avoided cost ~4 c (Santee Cooper).
- If approval is slow or costly, a portable panel and power station (never connected to house wiring) needs no permission.
- Watch H 4579: Prefiled 12/16/2025; House LCI; no action; new bill needed 2027.
The rules in detail
South Carolina has no statute specific to plug-in solar (the only bill so far is H 4579). Average residential electricity price: 15.47¢ per kWh (EIA, July 2026).
Your utility's rules in South Carolina
No utility in South Carolina publishes a rule that specifically allows or bans outlet-connected generation, so the general interconnection agreement is what applies. Here is what the largest residential utilities say and require.
| Utility | Residential customers | Published position on plug-in kits |
|---|---|---|
| Dominion Energy South Carolina | 696,385 | No specific statement. source |
| Duke Energy Carolinas / Progress (SC) | 712,299 | No specific statement. |
| Santee Cooper | 185,529 | No specific statement. source |
| Berkeley Electric Cooperative | 115,117 | No specific statement. |
Interconnection terms for a sub-1.2 kW system
| Regulator | South Carolina Public Service Commission (Dominion, Duke). |
|---|---|
| Governing rule | SC Generator Interconnection Standard; Act 62 (2019) Solar Choice. |
| Smallest tier | Certified inverter <=20 kW. |
| Application fee | Not stated for <=20 kW (Fast Track >20 kW $750). |
| Electrician / permit | 2020 NEC (2023 pending); local permits; LLR licensing with homeowner exemption. |
| Export compensation | Solar Choice netting (Dominion/Duke); avoided cost ~4 c (Santee Cooper). |
| Electrical code | 2020 NEC (eff. 1/1/2023; 2023 in process). |
- 2026 bill is an HOA bill, not an interconnection bill.
- Richest Southeast state credit; eligibility untested.
Plug-in solar bills in South Carolina, 2025–2026
| Bill | Sponsor | Status | What it would do |
|---|---|---|---|
| H 4579 | Rep. Mike Burns (R-Greenville) | Prefiled 12/16/2025; House LCI; no action; new bill needed 2027. | Balcony Solar Panels: bars HOA/covenant and state restrictions only - no interconnection provisions. |
State incentives
- SC credit 25% (max $3,500/yr) SC Code 12-6-3587 - plug-in eligibility untested.
- Santee Cooper rebate (contractor).
- No sales-tax exemption.
Who is pushing for a law
- SACE
- Conservation Voters of SC
- Bright Saver
Savings preview: 800 W kit in South Carolina
Adjust for your setup →≈ $141/year
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in South Carolina?
Not yet. South Carolina considered a plug-in solar bill (H 4579) that did not pass in 2026; a new version is expected. Until then, utility interconnection rules apply.
Do I need a permit or electrician for plug-in solar in South Carolina?
Default. Check with your local building department before you plug in.
Do I have to tell my utility in South Carolina?
Default. Plugging in a grid-tied kit without following this can breach your service agreement.
What can an 800 W plug-in kit save in South Carolina?
Roughly 909 kWh and about $141 per year at South Carolina's average residential rate of 15.47¢/kWh, assuming a typical balcony or patio mount. See the calculator for your exact setup.