What’s a LightReach energy plan?
LightReach lets you benefit from the electricity produced by panels on your roof, while Palmetto owns, installs, and maintains the solar panels for you.
Every LightReach energy plan is custom-designed, based on the specifics of your home, location, electricity needs, and rates. In this way, your average monthly LightReach payment is lower than your average monthly electricity savings, so you start saving money as soon as your system is activated.
What is a PPA plan? How does it differ from a lease?
With a PPA plan, you pay a low fixed rate per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated by a solar energy system for your home. With a solar lease, you pay a low monthly payment—fixed for 25 years—to lease a solar energy system for your home.
How is Lightreach different than other options?
As a homeowner, the best solar investment is the one that's tailored to you—your home, energy needs, and financial goals. Let's compare the options! See this page for more.
Is it better to buy or lease solar panels for your home?
As a homeowner, the best solar investment is the one that's tailored to you—your home, energy needs, and financial goals. Let's compare the options! See this page for more.
Where can I see my solar system production?
You can see your solar production through the Palmetto app. See this page for more.
Will I still get a bill from my utility? How much will it be?
Yes. 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. Some utilities also charge base fees that you may still need to pay even if you generate all the electricity you need when you need it.
How soon will I save money?
With PPA, power is generated at a fixed rate – immediately saving you money on your electricity bill.
Can I connect storage to my system as a LightReach energy customer?
Not at this time.
Can I collect tax credits if I am a LightReach energy customer?
No. You cannot collect the tax incentives because you do not own the system, only the power that is generating from it. Every LightReach energy plan is custom-designed, based on the specifics of your home, location, electricity needs, and rates. In this way, your average monthly LightReach payment is lower than your average monthly electricity savings, so you start saving money as soon as your system is activated, even without the tax incentives.
What happens at the end of a Palmetto lease?
See this page for complete explanation!
How do I view and monitor my production and consumption data?
The Dashboard is your roadmap to savings. Monitor how much solar energy your system is producing (Production) and how much energy your household is using (Consumption*) - by day, week, or month. *Consumption tracking is available only with specific consumption monitoring equipment. The chart makes it easy to see variations, track averages, and monitor the performance of your solar energy system. To show or hide Production, Consumption, Temperature, or Cloud Cover, tap the buttons below on the chart. For more details on how to read the Dashboard, select the "About this data" link below the chart and buttons.
Why is there no consumption data on my Dashboard?
Some solar energy systems are not equipped or configured to measure energy consumption. We are actively looking for more solutions to support consumption monitoring. For now, this data is only available for customers with one of the following. a) a CURB monitoring device b) a Solaredge HD-Wave inverter with RGM Monitoring enabled c) an Enphase inverter system with current transformers
Why do you need my utility bill?
Your utility bill helps us determine the best system for your energy needs. It also tells us about your utility provider so we can confirm rates, policies, and incentives in your area.
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.
How does it work if my electric company raises their rates?
A PPA provides a fixed, predictable cost of electricity for the duration of the agreement. This is often lower than projected utility price increases. Every 3 years there is a true-up where the PPA rises at a predetermined rate.
Am I covered if something happens to my panels?
Yes, your PPA comes with 25 years of protection bundled in. Eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for repairs and maintenance, including labor.
What if my system isn’t working?
When you choose the Palmetto Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), you’ll be provided with Palmetto Protect Performance powered by Omnidian. This includes proactive monitoring, troubleshooting, remote diagnostics, labor, performance guarantee, and more covered for the term of the solar energy plan, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for repairs and maintenance, including labor.
Is a rate escalator different than a true-up?
Yes, Customers will have a fixed monthly payment based on estimated production. This is reviewed every 3 years (true-up) of the term based on actual production. The rate escalator applies to the kWh rate every year. The customer's monthly payment will increase annually according to the rate escalator, regardless of the true-up.
What happens if I need a re-roof/any other roof work during my PPA agreement? What do I have to do?
If you want to make any repairs or improvements to the Property that could interfere with the System (such as repair the roof where the System is located), you may only remove and replace the System at your cost and pursuant to the Limited Warranty.
How do I change my banking information?
You can do this in your Palmetto Account! This article will walk you through how!
How can I reset my password?
See this support article for more details!
How can I change my login information?
You can change your email and password in the app. If you need to reset you password, you can click the don't remember your password link on the login screen. If you don't remember what email you used, please If you are still having trouble, please contact our Customer Experience Team at 855-339-1831 or help@palmetto.com.
Can I own the system at one point?
Yes! You can buyout the system after the fifth year. For more information, see here.