Solar Home Heating
There’s no better feeling than hopping into a nice hot shower or enjoying a comfy, heated home during colder months — except knowing the heating costs are almost non-existent! That’s...
Solar
Average Cost: $12,000 - $30,000
Palmetto Solar is a leading solar company that offers solar panel and battery installation. It is known for its variety of purchase options in addition to solar monitoring and protection programs.
This Palmetto Solar review covers the company’s solar panel and battery installation services, which it has provided since 2010. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company serves 19 states through its network of vetted, independent solar contractors. Palmetto Solar’s mission is to make renewable energy solutions available to everyone, no matter their lifestyle and budgetary needs. Its service offerings aim to do just that, with a variety of solar panel purchasing and financing options. The company offers a 10-year workmanship warranty and a five-year roof penetration warranty.
This Palmetto Solar review highlights the company’s affordable pricing, comprehensive service offerings, and commitment to sustainability. Palmetto provides end-to-end solar solutions, from system design to long-term support. However, like any provider, it has both advantages and drawbacks to consider.
Palmetto Solar aims to provide customers with end-to-end solar solutions that increase their homes’ energy efficiency and save them money on their monthly energy bills.
Palmetto Solar works through its vetted contractors to design, procure, and install solar panels and battery storage solutions. The company sources its panels and equipment for a variety of manufacturers, including Mission Solar and Qcells, two companies with manufacturing facilities in the United States.
For homeowners who want to avoid a larger upfront investment, Palmetto Solar offers project financing. Qualified applicants can purchase a Palmetto Solar systems with no money down, flexible payment options, five to 25-year terms, and an APR between 3.99% and 11.99%. Homeowners who finance their solar panels may also be eligible for the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit or other tax credits.
Palmetto Solar also offers solar leasing plans. Homeowners who choose this option enjoy all the cost-savings and energy-efficient benefits of ownership without the added costs of annual maintenance and future repairs. Lease terms are typically 10 years; however, a Palmetto Solar contractor must provide specific program details when customizing the solar panel project to your home.
Palmetto Protect features several solar protection plans that offer guaranteed coverage and performance. The company provides a 95% solar guarantee, which means that any time panels’ energy output is less than 95% of their established estimates it will pay customers the difference. Palmetto Protect plans also include parts and labor that is typically not included in standard warranty plans.
The Palmetto Solar app offers a customized home energy analysis with specific recommendations for improving its energy efficiency and the resulting cost savings. Depending on the products and services, the Palmetto app can connect homeowners with local service providers for a quote and installation.
Palmetto Solar customers who choose LightYear pay only for the electricity the solar panels produce at a contracted monthly rate. This type of plan allows homeowners to power their homes with lower-cost renewable energy without the investment of solar panels and equipment.
Palmetto Solar offers 1:1 net metering renewable energy plans for solar panels and batteries for select markets in Texas.
Like most solar installation providers, Palmetto Solar does not publish costs on its website. Homeowners are encouraged to make an appointment with a local company-certified installer who will household energy needs, home orientation, and roof condition to provide a customized quote. While specific costs from Palmetto Solar require an in-person consultation and estimate, the national average solar installation cost is $16,500 for a 1,500 square foot home.
For budgetary purposes, Modernize home improvement experts indicate the average cost to install solar panels is $12,000 to $30,000 after federal tax credits.
Each solar panel installation is unique, and there are a variety of factors that impact project costs. Here are several things to consider when evaluating Palmetto Solar:
If you’re unsure how you want to pay for solar panel installation, Palmetto Solar provides the most variety of options to accommodate many budgets. While the company is similar to other solar installers and does not publish pricing, it does provide specific financing information, offering more pricing transparency than its competitors. Palmetto Solar also offers attractive protection plans that ensure your solar installation is operating optimally and as advertised.
There are several top solar companies of similar size that offer many of the same services as Palmetto Solar. This Palmetto Solar review includes a snapshot of how the company compares to key competitors, with more detailed information below.
| Palmetto Solar | Sunrun Solar | Blue Raven Solar | Momentum Solar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | X | X | X | X |
| Solar Batteries | X | X | X | X |
| Solar Financing | X | X | X | X |
| Solar Leasing | X | X | X | |
| Power Purchase Agreements | X | X | X | |
| Energy Monitoring App | X | X | X | X |
| Warranty* | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Retail Energy Plans | Some markets | |||
| In-House Installers | X** | X | X |
* Workmanship warranty for purchased panels.
** Company employs both in-house and independent installers.
Sunrun features many similarities to Palmetto Solar. Both companies offer solar panel and battery storage purchase, financing, and leasing. Sunrun operates in 20 states and, unlike Palmetto Solar, employs in-house installers when available in addition to independent contractors. Sunrun provides a 25-year warranty for leased systems and 10 years of workmanship coverage for purchased systems. The company also features easy EV charging station integration and battery backup systems, including Tesla Powerwall and its exclusive partnership with Ford F-150 Lightning.
Founded in 2014, Blue Raven Solar has grown from three to 44 locations across 19 states. The company offers solar panel and battery installation as well as solar financing. Unlike Palmetto Solar and Sunrun, Blue Raven employs only in-house solar professionals. Another advantage is its post-installation service coverage — customers enjoy free service repair labor for two years. Purchased systems include a 10-year workmanship warranty.
Momentum Solar has been in business since 2009 and operates from multiple locations across 12 states. Its services include solar panel and battery installation and several purchase options, including financing, leasing, and through power purchase agreements. Momentum Solar manages each solar project in-house, including its professional solar contractors. The company offers a 25-year warranty for leased solar panels and covers 10 years of workmanship for purchased systems.
This Palmetto Solar review highlights the company as a leading provider of solar panel and battery installations. The company has the most options among its competitors for homeowners to take advantage of solar power benefits. While it does not publish pricing on its website, Palmetto Solar does list its fees and financing terms, offering more cost transparency to help with project budgeting. Palmetto Solar also offers customers the option to purchase a monthly protection plan that provides additional performance guarantees, monitoring, maintenance, and repairs.
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