Dominion Solar Choice in South Carolina: Check the Time-of-Use Plan Behind Your Solar Quote

If your Dominion Energy South Carolina solar quote promises to replace your power bill, ask which rate schedule the calculation uses. For qualifying residential customers on Solar Choice, Dominion pairs the solar rider with Rate 5 time-of-use service.

The current rider applies to qualifying customer-generators who apply on or after June 1, 2021. The version reviewed here is effective beginning with the first July 2026 billing cycle.

This is a Dominion article. Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Santee Cooper, municipal utilities, and cooperatives require their own billing analysis. “South Carolina net metering” is not a sufficiently precise rate assumption.

The price depends on the time period

Under Dominion's Rate 5 schedule effective with July 2026 bills, summer on-peak hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. during May through September. Winter on-peak hours are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. during October through April. Super off-peak hours include 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. year-round and noon to 3 p.m. in winter.

That schedule gives you a concrete way to question a proposal. Ask how the estimate treats winter midday production and winter morning purchases. Ask the same question about a summer evening when household demand may continue after the strongest solar-production hours.

A chart showing that the panels produce a large share of annual consumption does not answer those questions. Request a calculation that uses your household's timing assumptions and the correct tariff version.

Follow excess energy through the bill

Dominion's rider first applies credits within the relevant time-of-use periods. Remaining excess can reduce usage in lower-priced periods in descending price order during the current bill. Further eligible balances carry forward. November billing cycles settle remaining accumulated energy at the specified avoided-cost rate and reset that balance.

Ask the salesperson to show the treatment of a surplus month, not just a month when every unit of generation appears useful. Does the proposal assume credits will be used before the annual settlement? Does it identify which balances remain? Does it assign the same value to every generated kilowatt-hour?

For an illustrative comparison, imagine two homes producing the same annual amount. One uses more electricity while its panels are generating; another purchases more at different times and carries a surplus. The total production number alone cannot establish equal savings. The billing model must work through each household's usage and credits.

Panels do not erase every charge

The Solar Choice rider says energy credits do not offset the basic facilities charge and specifies a $13.50 monthly minimum, subject to further Commission determination. That figure comes from the rider effective in July 2026. It is not a quote for your total future bill.

Request a sample bill that applies the rider together with Rate 5 and other applicable charges. Ask the company to explain how the minimum operates, rather than simply adding a minimum-bill figure to every other charge or calling it your guaranteed monthly payment.

When evaluating a financed system, put the resulting utility estimate next to the loan or lease payment. Compare the combined obligation with the original sales presentation. Keep any assumed future rate increases visible as assumptions.

An older solar account needs its own review

South Carolina's Energy Freedom Act established the framework for Solar Choice and separate treatment for earlier applicants. The state's ORS materials distinguish customer cohorts by application period. A neighbor's older arrangement should not be used as evidence of the terms on a new account.

If you already have solar, ask Dominion to identify your current rider before using this article to assess the bill. If you are buying a home with panels, obtain the existing account and interconnection records along with the seller's solar contract. Do not assume that a sales listing's savings claim settles the buyer's billing terms.

Turn the mismatch into a useful document review

Collect the proposal, the rate assumptions, the signed agreement, recent bills, and any annual credit-settlement statement. Mark the months when your actual costs most clearly differ from what you were shown. Also note household changes that could affect a comparison, such as occupancy or a new electric vehicle.

This gives Solar Exit's utility-billing review a specific issue to examine. For a sale-related question, include the proposed transfer terms in a selling-your-home inquiry. You can submit the documents without deciding in advance that the system or contract must be the problem.

This article is general consumer information, not legal or electrical advice. Rates and remedies can change or depend on the account and agreement. A document review does not guarantee cancellation, savings, or another outcome.