Get Started!

1. Research

   Santee Cooper does not size solar rooftop systems or install them. We encourage you to work with Santee Cooper Trade Allies, qualified contractors who are up to date with our programs, to find the right size and installation for your home.

   Although we don’t size or install solar rooftop systems, we are here to help. Please review the FAQs below and the EmpowerSolar Home Program manual. If you have specific questions about solar, you can email us at solar@santeecooper.com.

   Monthly Fees: Please note that customers who sign up for the Santee Cooper Solar Home Program are subject to the charges and fees associated with Santee Cooper's Distributed Generation Rider.

   As set forth in the applicable rate schedule, plus: For each month, a charge of: Residential $10.00.

   The fee was designed to collect the fixed costs embedded in our energy charges. These fixed costs are associated with components of the electric system that solar customers will continue to utilize when their solar system is not producing enough energy to supply the customer’s needs. The decision as to whether or not to make the investment in and deploy Solar Energy Resources at your home or facility is yours to make, but we ask that you please make sure to get all the integration and rate facts from us before you make a decision.

   Financing: Santee Cooper also offers on-bill financing for qualifying residential customers through the Smart Energy Loan Program for Renewable Energy for up to $40,000. Learn more information about the loan program here.

   Additional home solar system resources:

   • S.C. Energy Office

2. Call

   A qualified Santee Cooper Solar Energy Trade Ally can help you to determine what size system is right for your home. Contact one or more Solar Energy Trade Allies and a NABCEP certified PV Installation Professional to set up an onsite assessment to see if solar is right for you. Only solar arrays installed by Santee Cooper Trade Allies are eligible for rebates. 

   Find a Trade Ally

3. Get Rebate

   Your chosen Trade Ally can help you with the rebate application process. Qualifying systems are eligible for a rebate of $950/kW up to $5,700.  Santee Cooper implements DocuSign for a quicker and easier interconnection and rebate process. Once the installation process has taken place and all required program documentation has been submitted, Santee Cooper will schedule its final acceptance testing and meter exchange.  If the system is deemed to be safe to operate, the new bidirectional smart meter will be installed and the rebate will be set to be released. We ask that you allow 6-8 weeks for the rebate to be delivered.

4. What to Expect?

   Santee Cooper does not monitor your solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Santee Cooper’s bidirectional meters only record the energy you sell back to the electric grid, along with the energy you receive from the electric grid. Your home will often consume the vast majority of the energy produced by your solar PV system. The excess energy that your solar PV system generates that cannot be used in the home right away is returned to the grid, recorded by the meter, and later displayed on your electric bill as Total Energy Used Rec, or kilowatt-hour received. This means Santee Cooper received the energy from you. The KWH, or kilowatt-hour consumed, means Santee Cooper sold you the energy.

   Understanding Your Bill