Palmetto Solar
Palmetto Solar installs top-of-the-line solar systems at competitive prices. Solid customer ratings and its in-house solar lease make this solar panel installer worth a look.
Our rating: 3.6 out of 5
Best for: Solar leases
Average cost per watt: $2.37 - $3.15
Palmetto Solar at a glance
Palmetto Solar is a national solar installer that works with high-quality solar equipment and trusted installation partners to bring renewable energy to thousands of U.S. households.
Fast facts
- Palmetto Solar was founded in 2010 and has completed over 25,000 installations nationwide.
- Palmetto Solar serves customers in 19 states, a continually growing footprint.
- The company has solid customer ratings — 3.46 stars out of 5 with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and 4.0 stars out of 5.0 on Google Reviews.
- Palmetto Solar is known for making charitable donations, like the multi-million-dollar commitment to Solar Sister, an organization focused on bringing solar to developing countries.
What we like
Palmetto only works with Tier 1 solar panel brands, including Jinko Solar and QCells. This means you’ll have high-performance panels with above-average energy production capabilities, which translates to more savings on electric bills.
I also love that Palmetto offers multiple payment options to fit various budgets, including cash payments, loans and its own LightReach program, which functions like a standard solar lease. More financing options mean more homeowners can afford expensive solar equipment.
What we don’t like
The biggest downside with Palmetto is that it doesn’t install solar batteries in every state it operates. On-site solar storage can help boost savings in areas without access to net metering, and batteries provide power during blackout conditions, making them a valuable addition to many solar systems. We recommend choosing a different installer that offers batteries if you don’t have net metering in your state or want emergency backup power.
*BBB ratings accurate as of August 2024
Palmetto Solar pros and cons
Palmetto Solar notes that its average solar array costs around $2.37 to $3.15 per watt. While average solar pricing isn’t readily available online from most installers, this rate is comparable to the industry average of $2.82 per watt.
For the price, you get quality customer service and solid product guarantees. Palmetto’s customer reviews are above average on third-party websites like the BBB and Google Reviews. It also offers Palmetto Protect, which includes product and labor warranties, and comes with a 95% performance guarantee. If your solar system falls short, Palmetto will pay you for the difference.
Palmetto can coordinate a roof replacement through a third party in all markets it services if you need to upgrade your roof before installing panels. However, this may make your installation more challenging — and more expensive.
Pros
- Only uses high-quality panels
- Accepts cash, loans and leases to suit a variety of budgets
- Above-average customer ratings
- 10-year workmanship warranty and 5-year warranty against roof leaks for peace of mind
Cons
- Only installs solar batteries in CA, CT, FL, MA, MD, NH, NY, OH, VA and VT,
- Only installs two panel brands, which means less customization than some competitors
- No EV chargers or roof repairs available
- Availability is limited to 19 states, so your area may not be covered
How much does Palmetto Solar cost?
Palmetto Solar doesn’t publish pricing information for its equipment or installation services, and this is the norm in the solar industry. Each residential solar installation project is unique and demands an in-person assessment of roof space, condition, configuration, available shade on the property, electricity consumption and your choice of solar products.
Because Palmetto puts the average cost of solar equipment at $2.37 to $3.15 per watt, a 6-kilowatt (kW) solar array will cost between $14,220 and $18,900 before incentives.
Palmetto Solar offers free solar quotes, so you can go to Palmetto’s quote page to enter your information, get in touch with a representative and secure a price estimate for your custom solar system.
Much of your final cost of transitioning to solar power will depend on how you pay for your panels. Cash purchases are the most expensive up-front, but save the most money because you avoid interest charges.
However, with Palmetto’s LightReach lease structure, you pay no money up front and the company guarantees you’ll pay less for electricity after installation than you did before.
Palmetto has in-house financial consultants who can help you decide which option is best for your specific needs, an uncommon perk I haven’t seen offered by many of the company’s competitors.
Savings and discounts
Palmetto’s website doesn’t mention any discounts or deals, but there are a few ways to save.
If you buy your system with cash or a loan, you can take advantage of the federal investment tax credit (ITC), a solar tax incentive available to all taxpayers. It lets you reduce your owed income taxes by 30% of your system’s total cost. So, if you spend $17,940 before incentives, after your tax credit, your total cost will drop to $12,558 (if you can take the entire credit). If you can’t (based on your tax return), you can take a partial credit and roll over the remainder of the credit for up to five years.
Depending on where you live, you might also qualify for state incentives, rebates, and other perks from your utility company for going solar. For more local information, check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). Palmetto also has a knowledge base for solar incentives, and you can ask a representative about other available perks in your area.
What services does Palmetto Solar offer?
Palmetto Solar installs solar panels and the equipment necessary to connect them to your home, including racks, inverters and wiring. You can choose from two solar panel brands — Jinko and QCells — both of which are highly reliable and high-performance solar panel brands.
Jinko’s panels achieve efficiency ratings of up to 22.84% — higher than the industry standard of around 20% — and come with a 12- to 25-year manufacturer’s warranty and 25- to 30-year efficiency warranty. The higher efficiency rating means more power produced and greater potential for ongoing savings, and the warranty coverage means your investment is protected for decades to come.
QCells panels achieve efficiency ratings of up to 22.0%, slightly lower than Jinko but still above the industry average. They also have solid warranty coverage, including a product warranty of up to 25 years and efficiency warranties of up to 30 years.
Palmetto Solar services
|
Offered?
|
|
|---|---|
| Solar panels | Yes (Jinko Solar and QCells) |
| Solar shingles | No |
| Microinverter | Yes |
| String inverter | Yes |
| Solar battery | No |
| Full cash | Yes |
| In-house loan | Yes |
| Lease | Yes (LightReach plan) |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) | No |
| Other financing | No |
| Free energy consultation | Yes |
| Inspection scheduling assistance | Yes |
| Permitting assistance | Yes |
| Roof repair | No |
| Power production guarantee | Yes (through LightReach) |
| Workmanship warranty | Yes (10 years) |
| Micro inverter warranty | Yes (12 years) |
Palmetto Solar add-ons and optional features
Palmetto offers system monitoring through its Palmetto Protect service. The company will contact you if there is a problem with your solar system and provide a monthly report detailing total consumption and production. You can also actively track system performance by day, week or month
The company also offers heat pumps, a recent addition to its growing list of energy-efficient home upgrades. These energy efficiency upgrades can maximize the impact of your panels and boost your overall savings on energy bills.
What does Palmetto Solar not cover?
Palmetto offers solar batteries in 12 of the 19 states it operates but doesn’t sell EV chargers, a common option other installers like Momentum Solar and Blue Raven Solar offer. The lack of such customary add-ons means your Palmetto Solar system will have less utility and will require separate installations for EV chargers.
You can always hire another company to install EV chargers down the road, but that involves finding another reputable installer, getting an inspection done and waiting for the installation. So, if you’re going to get one eventually, it’s easier just to get it at the same time as your main system.
Palmetto only offers roof repair or replacement through third-party installers. Going with an installer that also tackles roofing services in-house can make the process smoother and require fewer moving parts if you need repair or replacement before installing panels.
Palmetto Solar customer service and experience
Palmetto Solar makes it easy for customers to get in touch. You can reach out via an online messaging form, email, helpline or online chat with an actual human representative. Palmetto also has a mobile app for LightReach customers, allowing them to connect with a rep on the go. The app seems well-organized and easy to use, and it’s free.
I contacted Palmetto as a secret shopper via online chat and by phone. I was pleased to find that the representatives in both cases were genial, knowledgeable and willing to answer questions. When calling the customer service line, I was connected with a live rep before it even rang after choosing an option on the welcome menu. I called again later in the evening and got the same instantaneous response, which is outstanding.
Of course, customer service can vary a bit after you sign contracts and go through the installation process, so I’ll include one positive and one negative Palmetto Solar review below. These come from real customers and should give you an idea of what to expect from the company after you agree to work with them.
Understanding the Palmetto Solar installation process
You can expect the installation process from Palmetto to be similar to what you’d get from most other installers. Below is the general process:
- Initial inspection: All Palmetto installations start with an in-person inspection and a review of your energy needs. Your rep will need a copy of your most recent electric bill, and they’ll need access to your roof, electric meter and electric panel.
- System design and cost estimate: Palmetto’s in-house design team will design a system that physically fits on your roof and will generate the power you need for your home. At the end of the design phase, you’ll receive your formal estimate.
- Signing contracts: Next, you’ll sign contracts, which usually include payment schedules, estimated installation timelines and equipment information.
- Pulling permits: Palmetto’s installation partners will then pull permits for your solar installation to ensure everything is done up to code and in line with local regulations.
- Installation: You’ll get an installation date scheduled, and the installation partner will usually complete the install in a single day.
- Activation and monitoring: Palmetto will schedule final inspections and have its installation partner activate your system. After that, you or Palmetto — depending on which energy plan you choose — will monitor your production and system performance to identify potential problems.
Palmetto Solar vs. competitors
Palmetto delivers solid customer service based on its customer ratings, and it installs high-quality equipment.
Palmetto also has perks for homeowners who lease through its LightReach program. So, if you know you want a lease, choosing Palmetto means free panel maintenance for the life of your agreement, a production guarantee and the rare option for a buyout at year five. The buyout is a great way to go solar now and save up for the option to purchase.
Because Palmetto doesn’t install solar batteries or EV chargers, we recommend a different provider, like Sunnova, if you live in an area without net metering and would secure greater savings from a system with a battery — or if you already know you want to charge an EV at home.
Palmetto Solar competitor comparison
|
Our score
|
No. of states available
|
Years in business
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto Solar | 3.6 |
19 |
14 |
| Sunnova | 4.7 |
50 |
12 |
| Blue Raven Solar | 4.1 |
20 |
10 |
| Green Home Systems | 4.1 |
21 |
15 |
| Tesla Solar | 4.1 |
50 |
9 |
| Momentum Solar | 3.8 |
12 |
15 |
| NRG Clean Power | 3.8 |
2 |
7 |
| Lumio | 3.6 |
14 |
3 |
Methodology
To provide honest recommendations and solar provider reviews, the CNN Underscored team researched 20 of the best solar installers in the U.S. and compared them based on accurate data and customer experiences. Company relationships or sponsorships influence none of our opinions or ratings. Instead, we score installers based on seven primary categories that we believe are most important to homeowners like you. These include equipment options, payment options, customer reviews, installation and service options, availability, warranty and our editorial judgment.
The author of this article has been researching and writing about solar providers for the past four years. He has spoken with numerous industry experts about what to look for in an installer. He also installed a solar array on his home and has firsthand experience with the process and benefits of going solar.
