Sophisticated design for superior performance
We work exclusively with the top panel, inverter, and storage manufacturers in the industry and specify components based on your project and location. Our selective product and performance standards ensure that every solar energy solution promises peak performance, efficiency, and reliability.
Smart service and support at every step
All equipment and services are folded into one inclusive price and reflected in your estimate. We manage the details so you don’t have to!
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Dedicated project coordinator
From contract to power, a single point of contact for questions and support
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In-house project management
Concierge-style service through design, permitting, installation, and inspection
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Active system monitoring
Three years of proactive system monitoring with Palmetto Protect Essentials
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Palmetto solar account
Long-term performance tracking and customer support in your Palmetto solar account
Your Solar Investment
The cost of solar
More than 80% of Palmetto customers finance their solar energy system with no money down.
We offer a variety of financing options to meet your budget and savings goals, and can outline your system costs, monthly savings, loan payments, and 25-year environmental impact before you buy.
Clean energy learning center
Palmetto is your go-to resource for news, updates, and questions. Knowledge is power. Invest with confidence.
A bold mission
Palmetto is leading the world towards a clean energy feature, read more about how.
5-star customer reviews
Two Palmetto customers share their story - process, service, and savings.
Understanding the solar tax credit
Deduct up to 30% of your solar system and installation costs from your total tax liability in the year of installation.
How to compute the cost of solar?
Interested in learning more about the cost of solar? We break it down for you in a comprehensive article.
Everything You Need To Know About The Solar Tax Credit
Deduct up to 30% of the cost of your solar energy system from your federal taxes.
Our Company
Find out who Palmetto is and how we’re changing solar for good.
Frequently asked questions
What is solar energy? How do solar panels work?
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.
Are solar panels really worth it?
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 can be 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.
How do I know if solar is right for me?
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 electricity costs. We can then outline options based on your goals and the specifics of your home. All of this happens before you buy, allowing you to decide if solar is right for you based on a clear understanding of the potential costs and savings.
Where do I start? It seems complicated.
You're right, solar energy 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 to installation, tracking, and maintenance, our dedicated Customer Experience Team is here to answer questions, address concerns, and guide you through every step of the process. Visit our product pages to learn more about Palmetto’s solar and storage solutions.
How is my solar array designed? How many solar panels do I need?
The right solar energy 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'll outline estimated costs, environmental impact, monthly savings, and long-term savings based on system sizes that work with your roof. Should you choose to invest, we'll design a solution to meet your goals and maximize your savings—no haggling, no upselling, just right.
What type of solar panels and inverters do you use?
We work exclusively with the top solar panel, inverter, and storage manufacturers in the industry and specify components based on your project and location. While equipment offerings will vary by location and availability, we maintain selective product and performance standards to ensure that every solar energy solution promises peak performance, efficiency, and reliability.
For solar panels, we select premium solar panels in solid black with an efficiency rating greater than 19.8%. In most U.S. markets, our standard panel size or power rating is 395-405 watts. Manufacturers must offer, at minimum, a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year linear performance guarantee (though some product warranties extend to 25 years).
We select high-efficiency inverters with optimized module performance technology and will specify components—including inverter brand and panel size—in your Home Improvement Contract.
How do I get the most out of my solar panels?
Great question! Solar panels installed by Palmetto are highly 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.
You can safeguard your solar investment with Palmetto Protect. Palmetto Protect offers the coverage you need for the confidence you want.
With real time energy monitoring, one-click customer support, comprehensive energy recommendations, and best-in-class service, your system can run a peak efficiency while your mind can rest at ease. Learn more at Palmetto Protect page.
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 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.
How much of my home can be powered by solar energy?
That depends on your overall household energy usage relative to the total capacity of your solar array.
What does it mean to be “off-grid”? Do I have to be connected to public electricity?
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 necessity or preference, typically require a larger solar array and the addition of a solar energy storage system (also known as a battery storage system).
If there is a power outage, will my power go out?
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.
What happens if I produce more power than I need?
If your home is connected to the grid and you’re located in a net metering area, any excess energy produced can flow back into the grid, and may 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. 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.
How do I find solar energy building codes for my area?
Researching policies, building codes, and permits can be of the more challenging aspects of installing residential solar power. Our dedicated team will work on your behalf to navigate state, local, and utility requirements. We’re always up-to-date on the processes in your area so can move through building codes and permits with the ultimate efficiency. Many homeowners associations also have rules or covenants that dictate the design, placement, and installation of solar panels. If your home is part of an HOA, we're here to guide you through.
Will I no longer receive an electric bill with solar panels?
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 electricity company. However, if you maintain a connection to the grid, you will still receive an electricity bill, though you can dramatically reduce the amount you pay each month thanks to the energy produced by your solar panels.
How does solar energy work with my electricity company?
It depends on how electricity 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 rates 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 electricity costs by allowing you to tap into stored energy when rates go up, and rely on grid power only when rates are low.
Is it easy to care for solar panels? What sort of maintenance is required?
Solar panels require little to no maintenance and often reduce the overall maintenance costs on your home by protecting the structure of your roof. To maximize the performance of your solar array, 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. Any advanced maintenance required is often due to unusual circumstances such as pests or home renovations and can easily be performed by a qualified Palmetto Build Partner.
Do solar panels work on cloudy or rainy days? What if I live in a cloudy area?
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 survey and design process, we’ll examine your overall electricity 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 energy system to extend the benefits of energy produced across cloudy and inclement weather.
How long will solar panels last?
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.
Does my solar array come with a warranty?
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 clean energy home consultation.
Will solar panels work with my roof?
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.
How do I prepare my roof for solar panels?
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.
How much does a solar power system cost?
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 efficient or affordable. When selecting the right system for your home, we'll work with you to outline your overall costs as well as financing options and any incentives you may be eligible for.
How can I pay for my solar power system? Are there financing options available?
Solar energy system 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. Property Assessed Clean Energy programs are also available in some states, and grant homeowners upfront funding which they then repay over time through higher property taxes. 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.
How do solar tax incentives and rebates work?
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.
When will I make my money back?
Many homeowners want to know when they will reach their break-even point or payback date. 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 electricity 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 electricity rates continue to rise, clean technologies have never been more affordable or efficient, resulting in a faster return on investment. Most current estimates for the average solar payback period in the U.S. fall between roughly 6 and 12 years.
What about DIY solar? Can I install my own solar panels?
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 Palmetto specialist will be familiar with and can help you navigate.
What if I need to move or sell my home after I’ve installed solar panels?
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.
