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energy.advisor@santeecooper.com | 843-347-3399 x3910 in Horry/Georgetown Counties | 843-761-8000 x3910 in Berkeley County
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Smart Energy Loans


A low-interest loan from Santee Cooper allows you to finance qualified, energy-efficient improvements and renewable energy resource projects for your home. You can apply for energy- efficient improvement loans ranging from $500 to $20,000 with up to 60-months to repay loans over $1,000 or renewable energy resource loans up to $40,000 with up to 120-months to repay. All with no money down. Maximum outstanding loans per customer cannot exceed $20,000 for energy-efficient loans and $40,000 for renewable energy resource loans. Combined maximum outstanding loans per customer cannot exceed $40,000.

Improvements that qualify.


The following measures may be financed if they are determined to be cost effective and recommended by Santee Cooper. All items financed through the Smart Energy Loan Program must be installed by a Santee Cooper Trade Ally. For renewable energy resource systems, the Trade Ally must have a State Electrical Contractors License and appropriate certifications.

Energy-Efficient Loan


Renewable Energy Resource Loan



How do I apply and what steps do I take to get a loan?


For Energy-Efficient Loans


  1. Customers requesting an energy-efficient Loan will need to fill out a loan application. Then Santee Cooper will notify you, not the Trade Ally, when your credit application has been approved. If a heat pump emergency, you may request 24-hour approval. Application remains active for 90 days.

  2. Call your area Santee Cooper Energy Advisor at 843-347-3399 in Horry & Georgetown counties or 843-761-8000 for Berkeley County to schedule a Home Performance Evaluation. The Santee Cooper Energy Advisor will provide a list of energy efficiency and comfort recommendations.

  3. Send one proposal of your choice for the heat pump, as well as other improvements, along with a manual J8 calculation to the area Santee Cooper Energy Advisor. You will be notified by phone when the proposal has been approved. You must have received the approval for your credit application and the proposal before any work takes place. If work begins before approval, the loan may be denied. Santee Cooper will then inform you to contact your Trade Alley to schedule the work.

  4. When work is complete, contact your area Energy Advisor who conducted the evaluation, to schedule the inspection and signing of the loan documents.

  5. A joint check will be issued to you and the Trade Ally.



For Renewable Energy Resource Loans


  1. Customers requesting a loan will need to fill out a loan application. In addition, customers will need to complete an Application to Interconnect Customer-Owned Small Generation anytime the PV System will be connected in any way to Santee Cooper's electrical system.(Participation in the Net Billing Program is not required to qualify for a PV Loan.)

  2. Once you submit your applications, a Santee Cooper Energy Advisor will contact you to schedule an Energy Audit of your home.

  3. The loan application and the interconnection standard review process will include review of your applications, an Energy Audit of your home, as well as a site visit by the Santee Cooper Area Engineer.

  4. You will receive notification via mail if your application is denied. A Santee Cooper Energy Advisor will contact you for loan approval & further directions.



How do I get my PV System installed and complete the loan process?


  1. Select a Trade Ally with appropriate license and certifications.
  2. Submit the Trade Ally's Proposal to Santee Cooper within 60-days of approval of your loan application (Remember, Trade Ally's license numbers, certifications, and signature are required).

  3. Once Trade Ally's Proposal is approved, you will contact your pre-approved contractor to perform work. Your system must be installed within 120-days of Santee Cooper's approval of the Trade Ally's Proposal.

  4. Once PV installation is complete, you will contact the Santee Cooper Energy Advisor to schedule the verification of the Trade Ally's Proposal and finalize all interconnection requirements and tests.

  5. You will receive notification if the PV installation and interconnection meets all program requirements. If everything is approved, you will then complete all necessary loan documents and sign the interconnection agreement (if applicable). At this time, a meter will be installed if you have indicated you would like to participate in the Net Billing Program. Upon satisfaction of all loan program requirements, Santee Cooper will disburse the loan proceeds accordingly. Copies of all the loan documents will be mailed to you for your records.


If you still have questions about a Smart Energy Loan or application, contact Santee Cooper.

Contact Information:
Email -
Phone - 843-347-3399 x3910 in Horry/Georgetown counties
843-761-8000 x3910 in Berkeley County