Keep your Savings in Store

When you add storage to your solar power system, any excess energy produced by your solar array is automatically routed to a battery designed to safely capture and store the energy. Depending on the battery you choose, this may require the addition of an inverter that will convert the direct current (DC) power produced by your solar array into alternating current (AC) power for storage and use in your home. Palmetto is partnered with Tesla Powerwall to offer homeowners a fully-integrated AC battery system, also called “solar-plus-storage”, in which power is converted from DC to AC within the battery itself (no inverter required). Once your solar battery is integrated with your solar power system, you can access stored power whenever the amount of energy being produced by your solar array falls below the amount of energy being used in your home. If your home is connected to the grid, this means increased energy independence - the power you produce during the day can keep your lights on at night. If your home is not connected to the grid, solar storage is the only way to maintain power in your home when it’s not being produced by your solar array.

Battery storage takes you one step closer to energy independence by allowing you to store the energy your solar panels produce for use at a later time. This can be of benefit at night, in cloudy weather and on any day when you’re using more power than your solar panels produce. Storing surplus solar power can be particularly valuable in regions that suffer regular brownouts or blackouts. While the financial benefits of solar storage will depend on how utility costs are priced and metered in your area (see FAQ below “How does solar energy work with my utility company?” below) the environmental benefits are clear cut. Solar storage ensures that you’re maximizing your use of clean energy and minimizing your reliance on fossil fuels.

It depends on how utilities 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 utility fees are structured to increase during peak usage hours and decrease during low usage or off-peak hours. In this case, solar storage may be an easy way to save money on your monthly utility costs by allowing you to tap into stored energy when rates go up, and rely on grid power when rates are low.

The Tesla Powerwall is a fully-integrated AC battery system that offers easy installation, a sleek compact design, time-based control and best-in-class performance. The technology employs liquid thermal control to make it touch safe for children and pets while maximizing battery life and efficiency. It’s also remarkably affordable and can be used in groups of up to ten.

Dimensions: 45.3" L x 29.6" W x 5.75" D Energy Capacity: 13.5 kWh Power: 7kW peak / 5kW continuous Depth of Discharge: 100% Round trip efficiency: 90% 10-year warranty For more information, see FAQ below: How do I choose the best battery for my home? What do the battery specs mean?

Yes. The maximum amount of energy you can store will depend on the type and quantity of batteries you select. For the Tesla Powerwall, each battery has a maximum storage capacity of 13.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

With solar batteries, 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 energy any time your energy usage exceeds production. Homeowners not connected to the grid often choose to increase their solar storage capacity to enable uninterrupted power regardless of weather or time of day.

Solar storage batteries can vary in size but the Tesla Powerwall is 45.3" L x 29.6" W x 5.75" H with a weight of 25.13 lbs.

The Tesla Powerwall has a revolutionary, low-profile design that can be floor or wall mounted, indoors or out. It is both water and dust resistant. However, there are key placement and installation precautions to consider. Our Tesla Powerwall Certified Installers will work with you to determine the best location for your needs and preferences.

Once installed, the Tesla Powerwall requires little to no maintenance. For optimal airflow and efficiency, homeowners should keep the battery clear of leaves and other debris, especially around the air intake and exhaust.

No. Unlike generators, the Tesla Powerwall is remarkably quiet.

When properly installed by a certified specialist, solar batteries are quite safe and produce no noise or harmful exhaust. However, there are safety precautions to consider, especially in the case of natural hazards such as flooding and fire. Tesla Powerwall owners should read the product manual carefully to be aware of key precautions and safety recommendations. Palmetto’s dedicated customer care team is also on-call to address any questions or concerns.

For solar energy storage, there are several battery sizes, types, and manufacturers on the market. To select the right solution for your household, it’s important to look at the battery’s capacity, power output, and efficiency as well as the reliability of the manufacturer. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key specs to look for: Energy capacity - the total amount of electricity a solar battery can store measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) Power - the amount of energy a battery can deliver at any given time as measured in kilowatts (kW) Depth of Discharge (DoD) - the maximum percentage of a battery’s total capacity that you can use before it is necessary to recharge Round trip efficiency - the energy available to use relative to the energy the battery requires to store that energy, measured as a percentage At Palmetto, we rely on best-in-class technologies and have partnered with Tesla Powerwall to address the solar storage needs of our customers across the United States. See FAQ “Why Tesla Powerwall?” to learn more.

The Tesla Powerwall comes with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. Customers seeking additional coverage can opt into Palmetto Protect, a comprehensive protection program that includes active energy monitoring, dedicated customer support, exclusive discounts and best-in-class maintenance services.

The total costs for your solar energy system will depend on the size and complexity of your solar array and the amount of energy storage you require. During the initial consultation, survey and design process, we’ll work with you to outline your overall costs as well as financing options and any incentives you may be eligible for.

Yes, there are several financing options available. Two of the more common options are 1) a solar energy loan, which functions like a home improvement loan and 2) an energy efficiency mortgage designed to help homeowners fund updates on fixtures and features. If you’re interested in financing a solar energy system, Palmetto’s dedicated customer care team is available to help clarify your options and identify which solution might work best for your needs.

Most homeowners can anticipate a break-even point or payback period between two and seven years. This is when your total energy savings will exceed your total installation costs, and varies based on a number of factors including the cost of utilities in your area, the amount of energy you use relative to the amount of energy you produce, the size and complexity of your solar energy system, your energy storage capacity, your eligibility for local and federal incentives, and your preferred financing method. That said, while utility rates continue to rise, clean technologies have never been more affordable or efficient. The result: homeowners are seeing a faster return on investment.

Yes! For now. Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can be applied toward solar panels, solar batteries and in-home vehicle chargers, allowing you to deduct a percentage of the equipment and installation costs of your solar energy system from your federal taxes. That said, the percentage has declined each year since 2019, and is due to disappear in 2022. On top of the Federal Investment Tax Credit, many states, municipalities and electric utilities offer tax credits, incentives and rebates. These vary by location but our customer care specialists are familiar with the offerings in your area and can help you optimize your returns.

A home that functions “off the grid” is not dependent on public utilities, namely power and water. That said, wherever public utilities are available, we recommend maintaining a connection. This allows you to source power from both public utilities and solar panels depending on your usage needs relative to the power generated by your solar array. Homeowners who wish to function “off the grid”, whether by location/necessity or choice, typically require a larger solar array and the addition of a solar energy storage system (also known as a battery storage system).

Unlike generators, batteries are an easy way to boost the efficiency of your home and reduce or eliminate your reliance on fossil fuels. When connected to a solar panel system, batteries store power generated from sunlight and are recharged with clean energy every time the sun hits your solar array. By contrast, most generators rely on natural gas or gasoline and must be supplied with a steady stream of fossil fuel. Solar batteries are small, quiet, and produce no exhaust while generators are often quite noisy and release harmful pollutants into the environment, including high levels of carbon monoxide. As for cost: While battery storage may cost you more on the front end, batteries require little to no maintenance, run on energy generated by the sun, and are often eligible for federal, state and local incentives. Generators require ongoing fuel costs and maintenance to remain operational and safe.

The data collected from a solar panel monitoring system allows you to track energy production and consumption across time. Production data, or the amount of energy your solar panels produce, is a measure of efficiency, and while production will vary based on weather, season and time of day, extreme variations may indicate a need for repair. Consumption data is a measure of energy usage in your household and can help you to make informed choices that reduce your energy usage and save you money.