Clean Energy Tax Credits Fuel South Carolina’s Rise in Energy Independence and Resilience

COLUMBIA, SC — Clean energy tax incentives are powering a dramatic transformation across South Carolina — helping businesses invest, jobs multiply, and the state’s aging grid keep up with surging demand. But industry leaders warn those gains could vanish without stable long-term policy support.

Over $32 billion in clean energy investment expected

Thanks to federal and state tax credits, South Carolina has become a clean energy hub, with over $32 billion in projected investment and 20,000 new jobs expected over the next decade. That projection comes from Sean Sullivan, CEO of EMPWR Solar, who shared his insights in the South Carolina Daily Gazette.

Sullivan explained how energy tax credits have allowed his solar installation company — now serving 16 states — to grow rapidly. He wrote, “These clean energy tax credits are critical for businesses like mine here in South Carolina to maintain investment and grow our manufacturing base.”

Solar industry drives job creation, lower energy costs

South Carolina has installed over 2,600 megawatts of solar capacity, which now powers more than 325,000 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. The state’s solar market is valued at $3.4 billion, with more than 3,000 jobs provided by over 80 companies.

Sullivan argued that continued support for clean energy will help prevent future rolling blackouts, stabilize utility rates, and drive economic growth in rural communities. He also emphasized the need to modernize the grid, especially as demand spikes from electric vehicles, data centers, and manufacturing growth.

“Strategic investments, backed by consistent tax policy, are essential to keeping the lights on and costs down for families and businesses,” Sullivan said.

Clean energy supports diversification and energy security

Beyond solar, clean energy policy is helping diversify South Carolina’s energy mix — reducing reliance on out-of-state sources and boosting grid resilience. Sullivan compared it to financial planning: “Energy diversification mirrors a sound investment portfolio.”

He also emphasized energy independence, noting that making components and infrastructure in-state strengthens supply chains and insulates the state from geopolitical disruptions.

But this progress is now under threat. In May, the U.S. House passed a reconciliation bill that could drastically reduce or eliminate these tax incentives — potentially halting projects in their tracks. For instance, AESC paused construction of a major EV battery plant in Florence due to uncertainty, delaying 1,600 new jobs in the Pee Dee region, as noted in the Daily Gazette.

A call for bipartisan stability in energy policy

Sullivan argues that clean energy tax credits are not a political novelty — they’ve long been used to foster innovation across industries, from biotech to GPS. “If South Carolina loses these credits now, it could undercut years of growth, stall new projects, and put thousands of jobs at risk,” he warned.

“Businesses are ready to build. But we need policy certainty to stay competitive,” he concluded in the Business Download.