Greenville, South Carolina is actively encouraging green energy use through several impactful initiatives and projects aimed at sustainability and renewable energy adoption.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Programs
The City of Greenville partnered with Ameresco under a long-term Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) to upgrade energy efficiency across over 36 municipal buildings. This includes HVAC and lighting system retrofits and water conservation measures in facilities like the Greenville Zoo and Carolina First Center. These upgrades are projected to save the city about $330,000 annually and reduce its carbon footprint, showcasing a budget-neutral approach to sustainability.​
Renewable Energy Projects
Greenville Energy is advancing renewable electricity generation by combining advanced combined heat and power (CHP) systems with wind turbines, demonstrating a dual approach to clean energy production locally.​
Green solar energy development is a major focus, with companies like Boviet Solar building a large PV cell manufacturing facility in Greenville to support U.S.-made solar modules. This facility is slated to create hundreds of skilled jobs and strengthen the solar supply chain.​
The renewable energy company Bolt Solar is developing a roughly 400-acre solar farm in Greenville County capable of generating 44 megawatts, enough to power approximately 7,000 homes. This utility-scale solar project is designed to connect directly to the grid, provide predictable pricing, and promote local landowner income through leases.​
Incentives for Residents
Greenville residents benefit from combined federal and state solar incentives, including up to $10,000 in rebates that significantly reduce solar panel installation costs. Programs such as Santee Cooper’s EmpowerSolar provide financial assistance and on-bill financing options, helping homeowners transition to solar energy while locking in predictable electricity costs despite rising utility rates.​
Local Government Commitment
The city embraces sustainability as a major priority with goals embedded in its comprehensive Plan-It-Greenville plan and oversight by a Green Ribbon Advisory Committee. Greenville is a signatory to national climate agreements and an active member of sustainability organizations supporting ongoing environmental resilience.​
Greenville’s approach to encouraging green energy use includes municipal efficiency upgrades, renewable energy projects, local manufacturing of solar technology, supportive incentive programs for residents, and strong policy frameworks aimed at a sustainable future.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.ameresco.com/ameresco-helps-greenville-south-carolina-go-green/)
[2](https://greenvilleenergy.com/renewable-electricity/)
[3](https://solarquarter.com/2025/08/28/boviet-solar-marks-progress-on-3-0-gw-pv-cell-factory-with-exterior-work-finished-in-greenville-north-carolina/)
[4](https://greenvillejournal.com/community/greenville-solar-project-highlights-path-to-meeting-growing-energy-demand/)
[5](https://palmetto.com/local/south-carolina/greenville/)
