Hurricanes and tropical storms are the costliest outage-causing weather in South Carolina, so backup systems here need to carry a home through outages that can last for days. Use this page to find installers by city, check a license with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and see what to ask before you hire.
Find an Installer by City
Don't see your city? Many installers serve a wide area. Check the nearest city, or ask us for help.
Installers Serving South Carolina
We're still vetting installers in South Carolina. In the meantime, our team can help you plan a system and explain what to look for in an installer.
Home Backup in South Carolina: What to Know
Outages and the South Carolina Grid
Of the weather hazards that most often cut power, hurricanes cost South Carolina the most: about $1.2 billion in expected losses a year in FEMA's National Risk Index, ahead of tornadoes and cold waves. Hurricane losses are highest in Charleston County.
Utilities
Dominion Energy South Carolina, Duke Energy and state-owned Santee Cooper serve much of South Carolina, and electric cooperatives serve many rural areas.
Incentives and Utility Programs
Battery incentives change often, and many are run by individual utilities. Before you size a system, ask Dominion Energy South Carolina, Duke Energy, Santee Cooper or your electric co-op about battery, demand-response or export-rate programs. DSIRE (dsireusa.org) also tracks state and utility incentives.
Checking an Installer's License
In South Carolina, residential electrical contractors are licensed by the Residential Builders Commission and commercial electrical contractors by the Contractor's Licensing Board, both part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). Use LLR's licensee lookup to check your installer.
Permits and Inspections
Electrical permits come from your city or county building department.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Home Backup Installer
- Are you licensed for this work in South Carolina? Ask for the license number and check it with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
- Will you pull the permits and schedule the inspections? Permitted work protects your insurance and resale value.
- Have you installed this type of system before? Ask about battery, generator or transfer-switch projects like yours, and which brands.
- Will you install equipment I buy myself? Many installers will. Some only install what they sell. Ask before you buy.
- What's included in the quote? Look for the equipment, panel work, transfer switch, permits, utility paperwork and haul-away.
- What warranty do you provide on your workmanship? It's separate from the manufacturer's equipment warranty.
- How will the system switch over in an outage? Automatic or manual, and which circuits will be backed up.
- Who services the system after installation?
Need Help Choosing Equipment First?
Tell us about your home and what you want to keep running, and an Outbound Power specialist will recommend a system and explain how installation would work. No obligation.
South Carolina Home Backup FAQs
Do I need a licensed contractor to install a home battery in South Carolina?
Are there South Carolina incentives for home batteries?
Should I choose a battery, a generator, or both?
Batteries switch over silently and need no fuel, but multi-day outages can drain them. Generators run as long as fuel lasts. Many homes in hurricane areas combine both, recharging the battery from solar or a generator. An installer can size either option to your essential loads.
Can I buy my own equipment and hire a local installer?
Often, yes. Many installers will install customer-supplied equipment, but policies vary. Each listing in this directory shows whether the installer says they do. Confirm with the installer before you buy, and share the exact model so they can plan the installation.
Does Outbound Power install equipment?
No. Outbound Power sells home backup equipment and helps you plan a system. Installation is done by independent, licensed contractors like those listed here.
How are installers chosen for this directory?
Installers apply or are invited. Before listing, we confirm their business identity, check their license with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and confirm their services and service area. Verified installers have also completed an insurance and reputation review. Nobody pays to be listed or for placement. Directory standards →
Installers listed here are independent businesses, not employees or agents of Outbound Power. We check the items described in our directory standards, but we don't supervise or guarantee their work. Confirm licensing, permits, pricing and warranty terms in your written agreement. Listed in alphabetical order; Verified installers appear first. Nobody pays for placement.
