SOUTH CAROLINA -- According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, 2019 was the first time South Carolina beat North Carolina in new solar installations.

Companies like Atlas Copco Power Technique are hoping to drive more investment in the Palmetto State.

Atlas has 2,397 roof-mounted solar panels on its facility in Rock Hill, S.C.

Atlas, with half the funding from state and federal funds, invested $2 million to make the plant 57 percent solar powered.

Atlas said the solar panels will help save about 600 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, that’s equivalent to 25 average American families total carbon dioxide emission in a year.

Just last year, South Carolina passed the Energy Freedom Act, removing its artificial cap on rooftop solar energy.

North Carolina is still second in the nation in solar power. South Carolina is 15th.