Solar installation complete! Get ready for power.

Question 1

What happens after the installation?

Answer

After installation, your system will need to be inspected by your local jurisdiction(s) or permitting office(s). Once your project passes final inspections, we'll apply for Permission to Operate (PTO) with your electricity provider. PTO must be granted before you can activate your system and start producing power. In most cases, a representative from your electricity company will visit your home to ensure that your solar energy system meets safety and metering guidelines and to install a new bi-directional energy meter capable of tracking both the energy you produce and the energy you use. When you're ready, we'll walk you through a few simple steps to activate your system.

Question 2

Why are inspections required?

Answer

Inspections are required to ensure that your solar energy system meets safety regulations and zoning laws, as well as electrical, building, and fire codes in your area. They are the final step in the permitting process. While pre-installation permit approvals asses the design, post-installation inspections assess the completed the installation. In both cases, the goal is to ensure the safety of your solar energy system.

Question 3

How do I schedule my inspection?

Answer

Either during or in the 1-2 weeks after your installation, a Palmetto Build Partner will reach out to coordinate your inspection(s). While you may need to be home for the inspection, most inspections take less than an hour to complete.

Question 4

What is Permission to Operate?

Answer

Permission to Operate or PTO is a term used by electricity companies to indicate that your solar energy system meets requirements and is approved to begin producing power and connect to the utility grid. PTO must be granted before you can activate your solar energy system.

Question 5

How do I activate my system?

Answer

When you're ready, we'll walk you through the steps to activate your system. The process is safe and easy - no tools are required! However, it's best completed during daylight hours. If you have any questions or concerns during the activation process, our Customer Experience team is available to help.

Question 6

Are solar panels expensive to maintain?

Answer

Solar panels require little to no maintenance and often reduce the overall maintenance costs of your home by protecting the structure of your roof. All solar panels installed by Palmetto must meet our minimum manufacturer warranty standards: a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year linear performance guarantee. Your investment also includes three years of Palmetto Protect Essentials coverage including proactive monitoring, system reports, and ongoing service and support. Customers seeking additional coverage can opt into a Palmetto Protect Standard or Premium plan with benefits such as an annual on-site inspection, detailed health reports, exclusive service discounts, and a clean energy home consultation.

Question 7

What happens if I produce more power than I need?

Answer

If you’re located in a net metering area, any excess energy produced can flow back into the grid, and earn you credit on your electricity bill. If you choose to integrate energy storage with your solar power system, any excess energy that is produced and not immediately used by your household will function to charge your battery. This, in turn, allows you to access stored solar power for your home when energy usage exceeds production.

Question 8

How does solar energy work with my electricity company?

Answer

It depends on how electric rates are structured in your area. If you’re in an area with full net metering, every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy produced by your solar power system counts as a credit towards your energy bill. When your panels produce more energy than you use, the excess power is fed into the grid for use in your community. When your panels produce less energy than you use, you can draw power from the grid. Your bill will be calculated based on the total energy you use relative to the total energy you produce. If, however, you’re in an area with time-of-use rates, your electricity fees are structured to increase during peak usage hours and decrease during low usage or off-peak hours. In this case, a solar power storage system may be an easy way to save money on your monthly electricity costs by allowing you to tap into stored energy when rates go up, and rely on grid power when rates are low.

Question 9

If there is a power outage, will my power go out?

Answer

If you add a home battery to your solar power system, you can avoid disruptions caused by grid outages. The amount of energy available for you to use in case of an outage will depend on several factors:

The size and production of your solar panels

The size of the battery installed

The battery state of charge when the outage occurs

The areas or appliances in your home that are prioritized to receive power when the grid goes down

If, however, your solar energy system does not include a home battery, then yes, your power will go out. In the event of an outage, all standalone solar energy systems will automatically shut down in accordance with grid codes and mandatory inverter specifications.

Question 10

How do solar tax incentives and rebates work?

Answer

The Residential Clean Energy Credit can be applied toward solar panels, solar batteries, and in-home vehicle chargers, and allows you to deduct a percentage of your solar system and installation costs from your total tax liability for the year of purchase. If your credit is higher than your total tax liability for the year of purchase, the difference can be rolled over to subsequent years. To learn more about the tax credit, visit Everything You Need To Know About The Solar Tax Credit. On top of the Residential Clean Energy Credit, many states, municipalities, and electric utilities offer credits, incentives, and rebates. These vary by location but our solar energy specialists are familiar with the offerings in your area and can help you optimize your returns.

Question 11

How does the Solar Tax Credit work with my loan?

Answer

If you’re eligible for the Solar Tax Credit and apply the full value of your savings toward your solar loan within the first 18 months, your monthly payment will remain fixed for the life of the loan. If you choose not to apply your savings toward your solar loan, your monthly payment will increase in month 19 to reflect the full principal of the loan. Please contact your lender to discuss any prepayment, downpayment, or re-amortization options.

Question 12

Why might my loan payment change in month 19?

Answer

Your monthly loan payment amount in months 1-18 is based on the assumption that you are eligible for the full Residential Clean Energy Credit and apply the full value of the tax credit (equal to approximately 30% of your total loan amount) toward your loan in the first 18 months of payments, resulting in a fixed monthly payment for the remainder of the life of the loan. This means in months 1-18, you can also apply any credit from state and local incentives or any surplus cash you have on hand to further reduce your monthly loan payment. Making such prepayments is optional. At month 19 your loan will automatically be re-amortized and your monthly loan payment will be adjusted based on the remaining principal at that time. If you pay more than approximately 30% of your total loan amount, your monthly payments will be adjusted to a lower amount. In order to avoid an increase in your monthly payment, you must make one or more voluntary prepayments equal to approximately 30% of your total loan amount within 18 months following your loan start date. Please contact your lender to discuss any prepayment, downpayment, or re-amortization options.

Question 13

What if I need to move or sell my home after I’ve installed solar panels?

Answer

While it is possible to remove solar panels and reinstall on a new home, it's often preferable to sell the home with the panels in place. Solar panels increase the value of your home, making it stand out, sell faster, and earn more in the national real estate market. If you choose to lease your solar array, it can easily be transferred to a new homeowner.

Question 14

How do I access my Palmetto account?

Answer

As a new customer, you should receive a welcome email with instructions on how to activate your account. If you have not received that email at the address you provided, please visit home.palmetto.com and click ‘Don’t remember your password?’ to request a new invitation. If you are still having trouble, please contact our Customer Experience Team at 855-339-1831 or help@palmetto.com.

Question 15

What are the features of my Palmetto solar account?

Answer

Your Palmetto account is your dashboard to solar savings! Easily upload and confirm documents, connect with Support, and track the status of your order. Once your solar energy system has been activated, your account dashboard will offer a detailed view of your solar energy production—available by day, week, or month. You can also request service, send referrals, and manage your account.