Skip to content
RoofQualify

Solar in Richland County, SC

Solar panels in Columbia, SC

5.1 peak sun hours per day. See what the data says about Columbia, then check your specific roof free.

Utility territory: Dominion Energy SC

Local context

What limits Columbia roofs

Columbia averages 5.1 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

Solar data for Columbia

Peak sun hours / day
5.1 hrs

Modeled annual average.

Typical system size
6–11 kW

Residential, based on typical household load.

Estimated first-year savings
$1,200–$2,200

Per year for a typical 6–11 kW system. The high end assumes the larger array.

Roofs suitable for solar
60–72%

Modeled from regional adoption data.

Primary utility
Dominion Energy SC

Contact your utility for current net billing enrollment status.

Net metering / billing
Net Billing (RCP)

Dominion Energy South Carolina's Solar Choice tariff requires a time-of-use rate and credits exports at the rate for the period when they occur — most solar exports land in off-peak hours (recently ~9¢/kWh, below the average retail rate) — so self-consumption maximizes value. This estimate uses conservative credit values rather than itemizing Dominion's fixed monthly solar program charges.

Estimates use the average South Carolina current utility rate (before solar) of $0.16/kWh (EIA, retrieved Aug 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading.

Personalized estimate

Estimate your first-year solar savings

Start with your bill or adjust the rate and typical system size for Columbia.

kW

Typical homes: 6–11 kW.

$/ kWh

Prefilled with the state residential average.

Estimated first-year savings

$1,700/ yr

$1,200–$2,200/yr for a typical 6–11 kW system — the low end is a smaller array, the high end a larger one.

Estimate — individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. Assumes an 85% system derate and 50% self-consumption; exported energy uses the local net-billing estimate.

City averages are a starting point — check your address for your verified result.

Frequently asked questions

How much sun does Columbia get for solar?

Columbia receives approximately 5.1 peak sun hours per day on average, based on modeled regional data.

What is the estimated first-year savings from solar in Columbia?

For a typical 6–11 kW system in Columbia, first-year savings are estimated at $1,200–$2,200 per year: the low end uses the smaller system, while the high end is up to the larger system. Estimates use the average South Carolina current utility rate (before solar) of $0.16/kWh (EIA, retrieved Aug 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. These are educational estimates, not guarantees.

What can limit solar production in Columbia?

Columbia averages 5.1 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

Data source: City figures are modeled estimates for general guidance — not a quote for any specific property.

Ready to check your roof in Columbia?

The city data above is a regional estimate. Enter your address to get a personalized result based on your actual roof.

Solar data for nearby South Carolina cities

View all cities