South Carolina
HB 4579 was deferred to the 2027 session; there is no state plug-in solar law yet.
- Bill
- HB 4579
- Size limit in the bill
- no law yet
- Renters, in the bill
- Would be protected
- HOA, in the bill
- Would be protected
Checked October 14, 2026
State law · South Carolina
Is plug-in solar legal in South Carolina?
South Carolina has no plug-in solar law in force as of October 14, 2026. HB 4579 did not pass in 2026 and is expected to return in 2027. That does not establish whether your particular grid-connected kit is allowed: check with your utility before buying.
- StatusBack in 2027
- BillHB 4579
- Average rate, EIA15.93¢/kWh
- CheckedOct 14, 2026
Where the bill stands
- Bill introducedHB 4579
- Passed the legislaturecarried to 2027
- Signednot yet
- In effectnot yet
A typical year in South Carolina800 W kit · railing, facing south · near the state's population center
Service ZIP292xxSouth Carolina
739 kWhproduced in a typical year
$68saved per year
15.93¢/kWhAverage home rate, EIA
425 kWh used at home × 15.93¢ = $67.76; 313 kWh sent to the grid unpaid, 0 kWh lost to the inverter limit. At South Carolina's average rate (EIA).
South Carolina: Back in 2027HB 4579 was deferred to the 2027 session; there is no state plug-in solar law yet.
- Bill
- HB 4579
- Proposed
- —
Production by month, kWh
- Used at home
- Sent to the grid
Residential average, January to July 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly).
Open the calculatorWhere sources differ
StatusOfficial legislature page shows the bill is residing in committee / introduced in 2026; Bright Saver states the bill was deferred to 2027.
Statuslegislature page reading suggests "bill-active"; the Bright Saver tracker category is "carryover-2027" — the tracker category is used
What the law says now
HB 4579 remains a proposal, not an enacted right to install balcony solar. The legislature lists its latest action as “Introduced and read first time” on January 13, 2026, and says it resides in the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry. Bright Saver’s tracker instead describes it as deferred to the 2027 session; the sources differ in how they describe its status.
If enacted, Section 58-41-60 would say that the state and its agencies or political subdivisions “may not prohibit or restrict the installation of balcony solar panels.” The proposal also prohibits restrictions through covenants, leases and rental agreements. An HOA could still require reasonable design accommodations consistent with aesthetic requirements applicable to all members.
The bill says it would take effect upon the Governor’s approval; that is a proposed trigger, not an effective date already reached. Before buying, ask your utility about its requirements, check your lease or HOA rules, and review the product’s certification documentation. The proposed protections are not permission to connect today.
Options without a grid connection
A portable power station charged by a solar panel offers an option without connecting generation to your home’s grid supply. EcoFlow lists solar charging among the DELTA Pro 3’s charging methods. Homeowners can also request rooftop solar quotes rather than wait for the balcony-solar proposal.
For a possible future grid-connected installation, the calculator gives 739 kWh in a typical year for south-facing, vertical panels near South Carolina’s population center. That assumes 800 W of panels and an 800 W inverter limit—not an enacted state cap. With a 164 W home base load, 425 kWh is used at home, worth $68 a year at 15.93 cents/kWh.
The same kit tilted at 30° facing south produces 1,168 kWh a year and saves $83 in the calculator. These estimates are not connection permission. Use the calculator to compare your location and orientation before choosing equipment.
Questions
Can my landlord restrict balcony solar in South Carolina?
HB 4579 proposes protections against restrictions in leases and rental agreements, but those protections are not in force. Check your lease and speak with your landlord before buying.
Does South Carolina have an 800 W plug-in solar limit?
The 800 W figure here is a calculator assumption, not an enacted South Carolina limit. HB 4579 did not pass in 2026.
Can I connect a kit without utility approval?
The unpassed bill does not give you an exemption from utility requirements. Ask your utility what applies to your proposed system before connecting it.