Solar |

Solar panel prices dropped considerably in recent years, and as solar installations become more and more cost competitive, well-positioned states will realize dramatic economic growth through solar energy investment. Although South Carolina ranks 10^th nationally in solar potential, neighboring states like North Carolina and Georgia are out-competing us by leaps and bounds for job growth in this sector due to more effective policies targeted at growing their solar industries.

North Carolina is currently home to 501 solar firms and employs an estimated 1,985 workers in the solar arena. A number of ancillary markets also benefit from increased solar deployment, including the steel, aluminum, engineering, legal, electrical, chemical, and construction sectors. With innovative solar financing options, as well as updated net metering and interconnection policies, South Carolina could see dramatic economic growth in its solar sector.

Third party ownership of distributed energy systems like solar panels allows property owners to lower their bills and increase control over where their power comes from. One particular piece of legislation, H.3425, seeks to unleash the power of the free market by deploying private capital to finance solar installations. The South Carolina legislature has the opportunity to allow significant private investment in solar energy by allowing the leasing of panels.

Click here to sign the petition to allow solar leasing in South Carolina!

Around the country, substantial amounts of private capital are being invested in this business model, and H.3425 ensures South Carolinians will also be allowed to participate in a growing market that will stimulate local job creation while advancing the state’s economy and giving utility customers relief from the strain of ever rising energy bills.

H.3425 allows electric utility customers to become consumers of renewable energy without having to shoulder the high upfront cost of equipment like solar panels. Through this innovative, free market financing solution, any business, church, school, military base, homeowner, etc. can lock in affordable, long-term rates for electricity produced on their own property. The bill makes this financing possible by allowing third parties to sell electricity to an existing customer of an electric utility, a practice which is currently prohibited because our utilities hold exclusive rights to sell electricity within their service territories.

Media coverage of Solar Leasing Movement in SC

SC Minister (And Others) Ask Politicians For Solar Friendly SC Law

Post & Courier Editorial: Don’t Block Our Sun Power

Lower Power Bills The Goal of SC Solar Energy Bill

Retired Columbia Minister Crusades For Solar Power

Reeves’ Letter to the Editor: Let Sun Shine On Solar Energy In SC

Utility Raises Rates, Reports $420M Profit While Blocking Solar Leasing

SC Power Companies Defend Solar Practices

Additional information on solar leasing across the nation

The U.S. solar industry grew by 13.2% in the past year, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy.

Solar Leasing Exploding Onto the US Energy Scene

Solar Leasing Fundamentally Changing Electricity In US