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New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →
Pending legislationUpdated August 2, 2026

Coming Soon — South Carolina is considering plug-in solar legislation

'Balcony Solar Panels' would bar HOAs, deed restrictions, and leases from banning balcony solar installations outright (HOAs could still require reasonable aesthetic accommodations). Unlike other states' plug-in solar bills, H 4579 does not set a wattage cap or exempt systems from utility interconnection/permit requirements — those remain governed by existing SC utility rules.

Get notified when South Carolina goes legal

We track every vote. One email when this bill passes — no spam.

🔋

Solar you can use in South Carolina today, while you wait

Plug-in solar that ties into your home's wiring isn't legal here yet — but a portable solar generator (a panel charging a battery you plug devices into directly) never touches your home's wiring, so it's legal everywhere, including South Carolina, right now.

See solar backup options →

What You Can Use in South Carolina While You Wait

Plug-in solar that ties into your home's wiring isn't legal here yet — but a portable solar generator (a panel charging a battery you plug devices into directly) never touches your home's wiring, so it's legal in South Carolina right now, no law required.

Budget start

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)

0.288 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~4.4h

Powers: Phone, router, and lights through the outage, plus ~6 hours of CPAP a night

$299 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗
Most popular

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)

1.07 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~16h

Powers: A fridge, router, and lights running through a full day outage

$449 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗
Whole-apartment backup

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)

2.042 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel · recharges in ~31h

Powers: A full-size fridge and CPAP for days, or a window AC unit for a few hours

$749 + $199 panel
Check price ↗View panel ↗

See the full solar backup guide

Runtime charts for real devices, more kit options, and setup steps.

→

Bill Status

Bill number
H 4579
Sponsored by
Rep. Burns
Expected vote
Pending in House Labor, Commerce & Industry Committee — South Carolina's is a two-year session, so the bill remains alive through 2026
Primary utility
Dominion Energy SC / Duke Energy SC

Pending bill information may change as legislation advances. Bill text, watt caps, and effective dates are subject to amendment or failure. This is not legal advice.

What to Expect If This Passes

🔌

Up to 0W, no permit

The bill as drafted would allow systems up to 0W AC connected to a standard household outlet — no permit, no utility approval required.

⚡

No net metering

The bill does not include net metering for plug-in systems. Excess generation would not be credited. Self-consumption maximization is key.

🏠

Renters included

The bill does not restrict installation to homeowners. Renters would still need landlord consent, but no permanent installation is required.

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 4.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 22% over the past 5 years
From $0.107/kWh in 2021 → $0.130/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
4.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.107
2021
$0.111
2022
$0.116
2023
$0.120
2024
$0.125
2025
$0.130
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.285/kWh
at 4.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$1,271
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

Estimated Savings Preview

Based on South Carolina's $0.130/kWh avg. rate and 4.8 sun hours/day. Use this to plan — not to make a purchase yet.

Best-fit kits for South Carolina

sorted by your payback period
9yr payback~$2,686 lifetime savings

US Solar Supplier 810W Balcony Kit

Complete kit: Runergy panels, APsystems EZ1, SunModo awning racking.

Output
810W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 12 yr
UL1741IEEE1547
$969~$108/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
10yr payback~$1,275 lifetime savings

CraftStrom 400W Eco Line Plug-In Kit

400W Eco Line bifacial panel + ETL/UL 1741 microinverter.

Output
400W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
ETLUL1741
$530~$53/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
10yr payback~$2,611 lifetime savings

PluggedSolar 800W Plug-In Kit

Four 200W panels + UL 1741 microinverter + WiFi monitor. Sold on Amazon.

Output
800W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
UL1741
$999~$100/yr avg cost
Buy on Amazon →

Payback estimates use your current slider settings with each product's wattage and price. We earn an affiliate commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.

Default: 4.8h/day (South Carolina avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W2400W
60%
30%100%
$0.130/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
715 kWh
60 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$93
$8/mo
Payback Period
11 yrs
by year 11
25-Year Savings
$3,610
net $2,410
ℹPanels typically last 25–30 years with a 25-year output warranty. Microinverters carry a 10–25 year warranty depending on brand. Battery modules degrade faster — expect 10–15 years before capacity drops below 80%. The 25-year savings figure above assumes the panel and inverter run for the full window; budget ~$200–$400 for an inverter swap around year 15 if needed.
Cumulative Savings vs. Break-even ($)
Selected scenario2% escalation8% escalationBreak-even
Calculator AssumptionsSavings estimates are projections based on average sun hours, self-consumption assumptions, and rate escalation scenarios. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, usage patterns, and local rate schedules. The federal ITC for residential solar expired December 31, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is plug-in solar legal in South Carolina?
It's not banned, but it currently falls under standard utility interconnection rules. H 4579, the 'Balcony Solar Panels' bill, was referred to a House committee in January 2026 and would specifically protect balcony solar from HOA and deed restrictions if passed.
Can my HOA block solar panels in South Carolina?
Yes, currently. South Carolina has no enacted solar-access law — prior bills (3979, 4460) that would limit HOA solar bans haven't passed, so HOAs generally retain the ability to restrict solar installations.
Does Dominion Energy SC offer net metering?
Yes, Dominion Energy SC and Duke Energy Carolinas/Progress are required to offer net metering for residential systems up to 20kW, and regulators have previously sided with solar advocates by rejecting a Dominion proposal to weaken the program.
What's the status of South Carolina's balcony solar bill?
H 4579 was referred to the House Labor, Commerce & Industry Committee on January 13, 2026, and remains pending in the 2025-26 two-year legislative session. It would bar HOAs and deed covenants from prohibiting balcony solar, with only reasonable aesthetic rules allowed.
Is South Carolina a good state for solar?
Yes — South Carolina has strong Sun Belt solar potential and a relatively favorable net metering environment, making it one of the better-positioned states once plug-in-specific legislation like H 4579 advances.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor the South Carolina legislature and will email you the moment H 4579 is signed into law or fails. No spam — one email per bill outcome.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.