Palmetto Solar is not an installer itself, but instead runs a marketplace for solar energy that works by partnering customers with installation crews nationwide. The company has created what it calls a “proprietary platform technology”, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and other modern technology to check if solar panels will work for your home, and then connect you with a nearby installer.
Palmetto Solar customers can access high-quality solar equipment, extended protection plans, and multiple financing options. These features make Palmetto one of the top solar companies in our national ranking. Keep reading to learn about Palmetto’s installation process, financing options, services and customer reviews.
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Our Take on Palmetto Solar
Palmetto Solar offers unique customer support features through its various support team channels and with comprehensive system protection plans. It’s one of the few companies to provide various contact methods to make it easier for customers to get system and account assistance. The company also offers a comprehensive protection plan to ensure your system remains protected throughout its lifetime.
However, Palmetto offers limited details about its solar panel catalog online, and homeowners must schedule a consultation for more product information. The company doesn’t offer energy storage or electric vehicle (EV) options with its installations.
Compare Palmetto to Other Solar Companies
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25 years | ||
A+ | 25–30 years | ||
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | 25-year equipment, 10-year workmanship |
Palmetto Solar Services and Panel Options
Although Palmetto Solar does not disclose its exact panel brands online, the company says it uses all-black premium solar panels with efficiency rates greater than 19.8%. Typically, this refers to monocrystalline solar panels, a type of panel that offers the best energy production, life span, and utility savings. Palmetto uses SolarEdge inverters for its solar panel systems. This component helps convert direct current (DC) energy received from panels into alternating current (AC) electricity for your home’s use.
The company doesn’t have an in-house installation team and uses third-party installers instead. Palmetto remains the primary contact for its installations and provides ongoing project status updates. The company handles additional solar services, such as active system monitoring, remote panel diagnosis, and service alerts.
Palmetto also provides several contact methods, making it easier to get assistance with account or system issues. Homeowners can reach the customer support team via phone, email, online chat, or the company’s dedicated app. Our team found the online chat was the quickest contact method, with a rep responding to our inquiry after just a few minutes.
What Do Customers Say about Palmetto Solar?
Palmetto Solar has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but is currently not rated. With 3.2 out of 5 stars, customers have shared mixed reviews about Palmetto Solar. Many customers have praised Palmetto for its timely project updates and equipment quality. Negative customer reviews, however, have point edout long waiting periods for activations and equipment repairs.
Check out what Palmetto Solar customers say about their experiences below:
“Palmetto has kept me well informed about the project and the next step [in] the entire process. I am very happy with the end result. It did take a bit longer than I anticipated but [was] well worth it! Palmetto is always quick to respond to any questions. My solar panels are producing above my expectations. So happy I went with Palmetto.” —Kay G. via the BBB
The panels were installed in February and March of 2024 [and] never activated. After several calls and emails, nothing. I got hail damage on my roof. I need them to remove and replace the panels to get the roof fixed. I called and emailed every two or so weeks. I get the same answer [that] this is being pushed to management. Still nothing. On top of the non-action on the work requested, the company that originally installed the panels went out of business. I was never told this. I found out months later when I pressed the work requested. It is now nearly a year with no follow up or contact.” —Richard S. via the BBB
Palmetto Solar Payment Options
Palmetto customers can choose from the following solar panel financing options:
- Cash payment: Homeowners pay the up-front costs for their new system. This payment option qualifies you for incentives that help lower your solar panel system costs.
- Solar loan: You pay a monthly fee to own the panels while benefiting from other solar incentives.
- Solar lease: Solar lease customers benefit from solar energy without owning the panels by paying a fixed monthly rate with little to no money down. However, leasing disqualifies you from certain state and federal incentives.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): With a PPA, customers pay a monthly fee based on energy used by their leased solar panels. This option also disqualifies you from additional solar incentive savings
Palmetto Solar Warranty Options
Palmetto offers several warranty protections with its comprehensive Palmetto Protect plan. Below is a warranty coverage breakdown:
- Product warranty: The company includes a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty for its panels, covering any defects related to its manufacturing. This coverage length aligns with the average panel lifespan and is typical with most solar companies.
- Inverter warranty: The 12-year inverter warranty protects against any performance issues and matches the typical inverter coverage.
- Workmanship warranty: Homeowners receive a 10-year workmanship warranty that covers any problems originating from a poor installation. Although 10 years is typical warranty coverage, some providers offer 15 years or longer for workmanship warranties.
- Roof penetration warranty: This five-year roof penetration warranty protects against leaks caused during the installation process. Roof leak protection is rare among solar companies, so homeowners benefit from this added coverage.
Palmetto Solar Installation Process?
Here’s an overview of Palmetto’s typical installation process.
- Consultation: Palmetto begins the process with an at-home or virtual consultation with a company salesperson. They review your current electrical infrastructure and consider factors such as roof size, roof slope, and your monthly electric bill before designing a system.
- Financing: The Palmetto rep helps you select the right financing options based on your budget.
- Survey and design: Palmetto creates a system specific to your home. The company also takes care of acquiring permits based on your state requirements and system needs.
- Installation: When the design and paperwork requirements are complete, installation begins and may last several days. Palmetto works with local officials and your utility company for final approvals and activation.
Is Going Solar Worth it?
Factors such as your home’s location and energy requirements affect whether solar is worth the investment. Consider the following factors before purchasing a solar energy system.
- Energy usage and electricity rates: Solar energy helps offset energy costs and lower your monthly bills. Homeowners with high electricity rates and energy use benefit most from a solar energy conversion. If your home uses little electricity or local rates are very low, you won’t experience significant cost savings by switching to solar energy.
- Financing options: Investing in solar panels is often a significant investment, so you should consider the best financing options for your budget. Cash payments and solar loans offer the best financial benefits since you can qualify for federal and state solar incentives. They also provide the best solar payback period, or the time it takes for your system to pay for itself in energy savings. The typical payback period takes 6–10 years, but may vary based on your system costs, panel quality, and financing option.
- Local climate: Solar panels work best in sunny environments with limited cloud cover. Although panels continue working on cloudy days, their energy production will drop. Homeowners living in areas with ample sunlight will enjoy maximum cost savings with solar energy. If your area experiences frequent cloudy days or inclement weather, you won’t benefit from the same energy savings.
- Roof space: Depending on your selected panels, you may need ample roof space for your solar installation. Homes with complicated roof designs that include skylights or chimneys may have limited space, reducing your panel installation and overall solar savings. The orientation and slope of your roof can also affect your system’s power generation and savings.
- Solar incentives and rebates: Incentives, credits, and rebates vary from state to state. We recommend taking advantage of these incentives to reduce installation costs. While some areas offer several incentives to encourage solar conversion, others provide little to no support for residential solar panel installations.
Solar Incentives and Rebates
Federal and state incentives help homeowners convert to solar energy more affordably. The federal solar tax credit allows you to claim 30% of your total project costs to lower your federal tax burden. Eligible system equipment includes traditional solar panels, solar shingles, and standalone energy storage. You receive a tax credit that applies tax time to any owned federal taxes.
Some areas offer state tax credits for solar system conversion. Additional savings include sales or property tax conversions and city-based solar rebates. Utility companies may offer net-metering programs that allow homeowners to send excess energy back to the grid for bill credits. Homeowners should visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for up-to-date state incentives in their area.
Our team also created comprehensive state solar incentive guides below to find the best incentives for maximum savings.
Our Conclusion
There are several benefits to choosing Palmetto Solar for your solar installation if you live within its service area. The company offers a unique added protection plan, which even covers labor costs in the event of a repair, for a relatively small amount per month. It also offers multiple ways to contact customer support and uses high-quality solar panels and other components in its systems.
Palmetto mostly uses partners to install its solar systems, rather than in-house crews. Several customer reviews mentioned delays in Palmetto’s installation or repair processes. However, other customers have had a positive experience with the company. We recommend Palmetto if you find additional warranty, product quality, and financing options important when buying a solar system.
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FAQs About Palmetto Solar
What tax incentives and rebates are available for solar panel installation?
The federal government provides a solar tax credit equal to 30% of your system installation costs. Additionally, you may qualify for rebates and incentives based on where you live and your utility company.
How can you prepare your roof for solar panels?
If installed by a licensed and professional technician, solar panels shouldn’t damage your roof. However, the average lifespan of solar panels is around 25 years, so if your roof is worn and needs a replacement, consider doing so before your solar panel installation.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
According to a Berkeley Lab study, home buyers are willing to pay $15,000 more for a home with an average-sized solar energy system.
What panels does Palmetto Solar use?
Per the Palmetto Solar website, the company uses all-black solar panels with efficiency ratings higher than 19.8%. The company does not state the specific brands, so homeowners must request a consultation for full product details.
What is the Palmetto Protect plan?
Palmetto Protect refers to the company’s monthly subscription plans that provide 24/7 monitoring, system alerts, and remote diagnosis to maintain your system’s condition. This service also includes warranty coverage for roof leaks, manufacturing detects, inverter protection, and installation issues.
Where is Palmetto Solar located?
Palmetto Solar is located in 17 U.S. states with a headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina.
Our Rating Methodology
We aim to provide comprehensive and unbiased solar reviews to our readers. Our team rated and reviewed each provider based on research into national and local solar installers, interviews with industry experts, and by reading customer reviews. Our detailed rating system is based on the following factors, which we average together to arrive at a final 5-star rating.
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
