Solar panels in Florence, SC
Roofs in Florence get about 1,672 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 65% of the cities we've measured. Here's what that means in cost, savings and payback, using real rooftop data rather than a national average.
Check your specific roof in Florence → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Florence solar system costs
A 19-panel system (7.6 kW) is about right for an average Florence home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,801 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,548 | $6,384 | $646 | 9.9 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,822 | $9,576 | $969 | 9.9 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,096 | $12,768 | $1,292 | 9.9 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 11,370 | $15,960 | $1,554 | 10.3 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 14,780 | $20,748 | $1,675 | 12.4 yrs |
Notice that payback barely improves as systems get bigger, and eventually gets worse. That's because you can only save money on electricity you were going to buy anyway. Once a system covers your usage, extra panels mostly generate exports at a much lower rate.
Why Florence gets 1,672 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Florence — it already accounts for shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings, which is why it's lower than the raw "hours of daylight" figures you'll see elsewhere. An unusually open, unshaded roof in Florence reaches about 1,749 hours, roughly 5% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,672 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,749 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (South Carolina avg) | 14.2¢/kWh |
| Installed cost assumed | $2.85/W |
| Panel size assumed | 400 W |
| Federal tax credit | 30% |
| Typical household usage | 10,800 kWh/yr |
| Power used as generated | 35% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 9 |
| Google imagery from | 2016 |
When Florence actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Florence's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 86 | |
| Feb | 109 | |
| Mar | 138 | |
| Apr | 166 | |
| May | 184 | |
| Jun | 191 | |
| Jul | 187 | |
| Aug | 173 | |
| Sep | 148 | |
| Oct | 118 | |
| Nov | 92 | |
| Dec | 80 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.4× between Jun and Dec. Florence is close enough to the equator that seasonal variation is mild, which makes sizing a system considerably more predictable.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Florence's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Florence compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Florence | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,672 hrs | 234th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 4% | 422nd most |
| Median roof size | 246 m² | 227th largest |
| Electricity rate | 14.2¢ | 456th highest |
| Payback | 9.9 yrs | 340th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 649 kg/MWh | 372nd dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Florence:
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 98 panels — roughly 5× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Florence.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Florence dates from 2016. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Florence's 1,672 usable sun hours from other states and provinces. Same sunlight, different electricity prices — which is usually what decides whether solar is worth it.
| City | Sun hrs | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA | 1,672 | 12.1¢ | 11.6 yrs |
| College Station, TX | 1,674 | 15.1¢ | 9.3 yrs |
| Victoria, TX | 1,670 | 15.1¢ | 9.7 yrs |
| Brunswick, GA | 1,674 | 14.1¢ | 10 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of South Carolina → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Florence solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Florence?
About 19 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Florence roofs get 1,672 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 568 kWh annually. A typical Florence roof fits about 98 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Florence?
At 14.2¢/kWh and 1,672 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 9.9 years and returns roughly $23,179 over a 25-year panel life. That is a solid return, and it improves further if electricity prices rise. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Florence?
A 7.6 kW system costs about $21,660 before incentives and $15,162 after the 30% federal tax credit. That works out near $2.85 per watt installed. Roof pitch, shading, electrical panel upgrades and equipment choice move the price most, which is why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands.
Worth reading before you buy
Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average South Carolina electricity rates. Not a quote and not financial advice. Your roof, usage, utility plan and local incentives will change these numbers — get real quotes before buying.