Power Your Savings with Palmetto Solar

Solar panels, also called photovoltaic or PV panels, consist of solar cells that are designed to capture the radiant light and heat contained in sunlight and convert it into usable clean energy for your home. When sunlight hits your solar panel, the photons of energy are converted into DC (direct current) electricity, which is then converted into AC (alternating current) electricity for use in your home. Solar panels are often grouped together to form a solar grid or solar array, allowing you to capture and harness the right amount of energy for your needs.

Yes! Whether you're looking to save money, save resources, or protect the natural environment from the effects of climate change, adding solar power to your home is an effective way to tackle all three. Palmetto solar customers can save thousands over the lifetime of their residential solar power systems—often earning credit on power they generate through net metering programs and recouping costs via various rebates and incentives. Meanwhile, the cost of conventional electricity is only going up. On the environmental front, an investment in sustainable, solar energy allows you to dramatically decrease your carbon footprint and your reliance on fossil fuels. It’s also a great way to boost interest in clean technologies and the economies they support.

There are several factors we can look at to determine if solar might be a good solution for your needs, including roof space, home energy usage, credit health, and eligibility for incentives. At Palmetto, we start by calculating a quick savings estimate based on your home, location, and current utility costs. Then, we’ll schedule a meeting to clarify your goals, address any questions, identify purchase options, and outline the solar process. All of this happens before you pay, allowing you to decide if a solar power system is right for you based on a complete understanding of the potential costs and savings.

You’re right, residential solar power systems can feel very complex, especially if you’re researching providers, technologies, incentives, municipal requirements, permits, the list goes on. That’s why Palmetto created end-to-end solar energy solutions that allow you to plug into savings with less time and no hassle. From financing and design through decades of maintenance, tracking, and protection, we oversee every detail so you don’t have to.

The right solar power system for your home will depend on a variety of factors, including your current energy usage, the size and layout of your roof, and your preferred level of energy independence. To hone in on the right solution for your home, we always begin with a personal consultation and a survey, both of which serve to clarify your goals and outline available options. Should you choose to invest, we’ll design a custom solution to meet your goals and maximize your savings—no haggling, no upselling, just right.

At Palmetto, we rely on best-in-class solar panels from Silfab and inverters from SolarEdge to ensure that every custom solar energy solution promises peak performance, efficiency, and reliability.

Our preferred solar panel is Silfab's Sil-33o NL, a high-efficiency monocrystalline PV module. Dimensions: 66.9" L x 39.4" W x 1.5" D Module Power (Pmax): 330 Wp in standard test conditions Maximum System Voltage (VDC): 1000 Volts Hail Impact Resistance: up to 1" diameter at 51.6 mph Maximum Wind/Snow Surface Load: 83.5/112.8 lb/ft^2 25-year product workmanship warranty

Great question! Silfab solar panels are very efficient and require little to no maintenance. That said, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting the most out of your solar array. For peak efficiency, make sure your solar panels are free of dust and debris. Regular weather patterns will do most of the work for you but annual cleanings can be of benefit. Monitor production via the Palmetto App and/or Palmetto Protect to better understand your energy production and usage patterns. Active monitoring can also alert you to dramatic changes in production which may indicate a need for maintenance. Smart home features and devices such as thermostats, shade and lighting solutions, energy-efficient appliances, and home automation systems can dramatically reduce your overall energy usage. You can also optimize your clean energy usage by scheduling high energy chores (such as doing the laundry or running your dishwasher) for sunny hours/days when production levels are at their highest.

That depends on your overall household energy usage relative to the total capacity of your solar array.

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).

If your solar power system includes solar batteries, no. You will typically have enough energy in store to ride out any interruptions in power. If your solar power system does not include solar storage, yes. In the event of an outage, all standalone solar power systems are automatically shut down in accordance with grid codes and mandatory inverter specifications.

If your home is connected to the grid and you’re located in a net metering area, any excess energy produced will flow back into the grid, earning you a credit on your utility 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 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.

Researching policies, building codes, and permits can be of the more challenging aspects of installing residential solar power. Our dedicated customer care specialists will work on your behalf to navigate state and municipal requirements, homeowners associations, utility paperwork, and the like. We’re always up-to-date on the processes in your area so can move through building codes and permits with the ultimate efficiency.

If you make use of a larger solar array and sufficient solar energy storage, you can go “off the grid” and will no longer need to receive power from the local utility company. However, if you maintain a connection to the utility company, you will still receive an electric bill, though you can dramatically reduce the amount you pay each month thanks to the energy produced by your solar panels.

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 only when rates are low.

Solar panels require little to no maintenance and can even reduce overall maintenance costs on your home by protecting the structure of your roof. To maximize the performance of your solar power system, it is important to keep panels free of dust and debris. Natural patterns of wind and rainfall will do most of the work for you, but annual cleanings can help to keep them functioning at their best. When advanced maintenance is required, it's often due to unusual circumstances such as pests or home renovations and can easily be performed by a licensed Palmetto specialist.

It’s a common misconception that solar panels won’t work in cloudy, rainy, or snowy areas. In reality, your solar panels can still capture and generate power from indirect light. During the initial consultation, survey, and design process, we’ll examine your overall energy usage relative to your potential solar energy production and structure your array to optimize savings. Geography and weather are key factors in this process. In some cases, we may recommend integrating battery storage with your solar power system to extend the benefits of energy produced across cloudy and inclement weather.

The first solar cells were manufactured by Bell Laboratories in the late 1950s and are still functional today. Likewise, panels installed on homes in the 1970s and 80s continue to generate power. Most solar modules today have a 25-year power output warranty, and may continue to produce power well beyond that point. Homeowners interested in additional protection and savings can enroll in Palmetto Protect and earn quick access to energy monitoring, dedicated customer support, exclusive discounts, and best-in-class maintenance services.

All Silfab solar panels come with a 25-year manufacturer warranty that covers panel, power, and weatherization. Homeowners interested in additional protection and savings can enroll in Palmetto Protect and earn quick access to energy monitoring, dedicated customer support, exclusive discounts, and best-in-class maintenance services.

Before designing your home solar power system, we’ll take a detailed survey of your property and assess the solar energy potential of your roof. Beyond the size, angle, and orientation of your roof, we’ll look at shading, estimated tree growth, materials, ventilation and drain pipes, and overall health. Because solar panel arrays can last 25-30 years without the need for repair or replacement, it’s important the roof beneath is in good shape. Once installed, solar panels can protect your roof and reduce the need for ongoing repairs.

Before you agree to install solar panels on your home, it’s best to have your roof inspected. Removing and reinstalling solar panels to fix a roof can be costly and time-consuming. In some cases, it may be advisable to have your roof repaired or replaced entirely before installing your solar array.

The cost of your solar power system will vary based on a number of factors including your location, the size and complexity of your solar array, installation fees in your area, and the amount of energy storage you require. That said, solar technologies have never been more affordable and each dollar paid gets you closer to energy independence. 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.

Solar equipment and installation costs aren’t a cash-only thing—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 array, Palmetto’s dedicated customer care team is available to help clarify your options and identify which solution might work best for your needs.

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 home solar power 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.

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 power 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.

While it is possible to install your own solar array, it’s not advisable for a few key reasons. 1) The materials are typically more expensive. 2) It can be difficult to determine the best position for your panels. 3) The electrical work requires special training to complete. 4) A DIY installation may void any warranties on the solar panels. Also, depending on where you live, the permitting process can be quite difficult and you may miss out on tax incentives and rebates that a certified Palmetto specialist will be familiar with and can help you navigate.

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.