Net Metering by State

What your electric utility actually pays for exported solar power.

Dominion Energy South Carolina solar export rate

What Dominion Energy South Carolina pays for power exported from rooftop solar in South Carolina, with the source and the date it was checked.

No single rate — formula based

Residential Solar Choice Rate 5 TOU credits use applicable Rate 5 energy rates; remaining excess is paid during November billing cycles at avoided cost.

Dominion Energy South Carolina · South Carolina

Effective First billing cycle of July 2026 for the cited residential tariff; available to applicants on or after June 1, 2021.

Current cited tariff is Rider to Residential Rate 5 Solar Choice, PSC Order No. 2026-374. Legacy third NEM rider has $0.04146/kWh beginning the first billing cycle of May 2026 and is closed to new participants as of June 1, 2021.

Source: dominionenergy.com · dominionenergy.com

Full Dominion Energy South Carolina detail →

South Carolina rules that apply to Dominion Energy South Carolina

The state framework sets the default. Where Dominion Energy South Carolina pays something different, the utility tariff governs and is what the card above reports.

Compensation mechanismUtility-specific Solar Choice metering for new applications; qualifying pre-June 1, 2021 applicants retain legacy net energy metering. Santee Cooper uses its Distributed Generation Rider and does not provide one-to-one retail net metering.
Export rateNo single statewide export rate exists. Santee Cooper's DG-25 rider lists $0.0415/kWh. Dominion Energy South Carolina's residential Solar Choice credits the applicable Rate 5 TOU energy rates and pays remaining November-cycle excess at avoided cost. For Duke, the most recent ORS-published rate overview (dated January 2022) lists $0.0270/kWh for Duke Energy Carolinas and $0.0230/kWh for Duke Energy Progress; those are that document's approved Solar Choice rates, not a current-year figure, and the filed tariffs control.
Rate effectiveSolar Choice tariffs began June 1, 2021; the cited Dominion residential tariff is effective after the first billing cycle of July 2026; Santee Cooper DG-25 was adopted December 9, 2024.
Credit rolloverDEC/DEP excess credit remains on the account and carries to the next year; Dominion carries remaining TOU excess to the following month; Santee Cooper applies a monthly credit below $50 to the next billing month.
Credit expirationDominion pays accumulated excess at avoided cost during November billing cycles and zeroes the account. Santee Cooper pays a monthly net credit of at least $50 by check and applies a smaller credit to the next month; no statewide expiration rule exists.
Annual true-upNo statewide true-up date exists. Dominion uses November billing cycles for annual zero-out/payment; Santee Cooper settles monthly.
Aggregate program capThe former Act 236 framework capped net-metering capacity at 2% of the utility's previous five-year average South Carolina retail peak demand. Current Solar Choice capacity limits are utility-specific and PSC-decided, not one statewide number.
Program statusNo statewide open/full/closed status. The historic 2% cap led to successor Solar Choice tariffs; current capacity status must be checked in each utility tariff or PSC docket.
GrandfatheringApplicants before May 16, 2019 receive full-retail credit through December 31, 2025; applicants from May 16, 2019 through May 31, 2021 receive full-retail credit through May 31, 2029. Solar Choice applies to new customers from June 1, 2021.
RegulatorThe Public Service Commission of South Carolina regulates investor-owned utilities, with the Office of Regulatory Staff representing consumers. Santee Cooper is the South Carolina Public Service Authority.
Governing ruleS.C. Code Ann. Sections 58-40-10 and 58-40-20, as amended by Act 236 of 2014 and Act 62 of 2019; current text also reflects 2025 Act 41.

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