Palmetto Reviews, Services and Costs (2023)
Palmetto Solar is an excellent choice for homeowners who may be worried about the long-term maintenance and efficiency of going solar. In this Palmetto Solar review, see how the company can walk you through the entire solar process and offer tools and resources to ensure your system continues to operate optimally over time.
There are many factors to consider to ensure you receive the best possible solar photovoltaic (PV) system for your home. We at the Guides Home Team have conducted in-depth research on the best solar installation companies to help you compare solar products and installers. Read on to review Palmetto's service areas, offerings, payment methods, reputation and more.
*BBB ratings are accurate as of May 2023.
Here are a few key highlights of Palmetto Solar:
Palmetto is currently available in 20 states:
Palmetto follows many standard steps in its solar installation process. The company handles every aspect of installation for you and will custom-design a solar system to meet your home design, energy needs and financial goals. Typically, Palmetto Solar follows the process listed below:
Palmetto offers the following products and services to its solar customers:
Palmetto Solar works with Q Cells to provide high-quality monocrystalline solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient panels currently available, and they feature the longest lifespan with an average of 25 to 45 years. In addition, Palmetto's Q Cells black anodized aluminum panels feature efficiency rates of up to 19.5%.
Palmetto also offers its smart-home battery. Palmetto's smart-home battery provides electricity from stored energy generated by your solar panels during low-light periods and power outages. Best of all, the solar battery can be programmed to use stored energy to avoid peak rates. Therefore, when energy prices go up, so do your savings.
The company also offers a comprehensive selection of additional solar services, including its Palmetto Protect Plan. This $8 per month plan offers active monitoring of your system and discounts on solar services that keep your system operating at peak efficiency. Palmetto offers the following additional services:
Palmetto Solar provides a 25-year manufacturer's warranty through Q Cells. This warranty covers each of your panel's equipment and performance.
Additionally, the company offers Palmetto Protect Plan options for system monitoring and maintenance. While every Palmetto system includes basic monitoring for free, you can upgrade to the Essential plan for $12 per month or a discounted rate of $96 annually. The Essentials plan offers monthly personalized energy efficiency and usage reports with priority troubleshooting support.
According to our 2023 poll of 1,000 homeowners with solar, Palmetto customers typically paid between $15,000 and $20,000 for a solar panel system. But keep in mind that the final cost of your Palmetto solar panels will vary depending on your location, roof size and orientation, and energy needs. However, incentives like the federal solar tax credit can decrease the total cost of your solar panels and increase your solar savings.
Palmetto offers the following payment options for its solar power systems:
We recommend speaking with a Palmetto solar salesperson to get a free quote for your renewable energy system and discuss financing options. Click below or visit Palmetto's website to get started.
Palmetto Solar features an A+ rating and accreditation with the BBB. Many customers applaud the company's personalized installation experience. More critical reviews mention long wait times for activation or difficulty with Palmetto's equipment post-installation.
We reached out to Palmetto Solar about these negative remarks and the cons in this article, but the company did not provide a response.
Read what Palmetto customers had to say about their experiences with the company below.
"Our Palmetto solar system has been in operation for more than two years. It has performed flawlessly during that time. Palmetto engineered the system (10.8 kW) to provide for all our electric power needs, which it does. Annually, we are compensated for the excess power we put on the grid [and] the $9.07 monthly electric bills are great. Palmetto's representatives have been polite and helpful." —Gene M. via the BBB
"A Palmetto salesperson helped design my system to my specific needs and everything happened smoothly. I didn't have to do anything as [Palmetto] handled all permits, the homeowners association and the energy company. There was a delay between installation and when the system actually got turned on, but it refunded any money I paid during that period. It also [set up] my solar panels in just a few hours." —Bryan T. via the BBB
"Very misleading with the cost of panels versus the cost of the power bill. I am now paying more for electricity with the cost of the loan and Georgia power bill. Hopefully in the long run it will work out to be a net positive."—Kirt R. via the BBB
Palmetto installed my panels in Dec. 2022 and everything was fine —[Palmetto] just needed to have it inspected. However, [Palmetto] will not call the permit office to schedule a final inspection. I have sent multiple emails and called. More than one month has gone by and I’m still waiting. Now [Palmetto] is not responding at all. The permit office even left Palmetto a voicemail [with] no response, so I can't use the system."—Dennis M. via the BBB
*BBB information is accurate as of May 2023.
Solar energy is a home improvement investment with long-term care and maintenance. However, your day-to-day life may get in the way of ensuring your solar PV system is running at its full potential. Palmetto Solar is an excellent solar provider if you’re concerned about scheduling cleaning services, compiling information for monthly reports and troubleshooting a solar battery on your own.
Palmetto's Protect Plan is an affordable and straightforward way to protect your solar investment and receive proper maintenance and care in the long run. Pair this with its 25-year warranty for product and performance through Q Cells, and you have a safe and sound investment into renewable energy. Although Palmetto does not share much pricing information upfront, its responsive customer service and solar savings tool aim to make your solar journey as cost effective as possible.
Compare Palmetto to other top solar companies, Sunrun Solar, SunPower, and ADT Solar.
Palmetto is headquartered in Charleston, S.C. It services the following 20 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
Palmetto has been installing clean energy systems since 2009.
Palmetto Solar primarily installs Q Cells brand solar panels and SolarEdge inverters.
In addition to installing solar panels, Palmetto also installs solar batteries and EV chargers, cleans and maintains solar systems, performs energy efficiency audits and can even help you get a new roof installed with your solar panels.
We closely evaluated seven crucial factors according to our solar panel installation company methodology to rank the best providers in the industry. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider's score out of five stars. Here's how we assessed each company:
Faith Wakefield is a writer based in North Carolina. She holds economics and English degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, and her work has been featured on EcoWatch, The World Economic Forum and Today's Homeowner. In her free time, she loves to binge-watch personal finance videos on YouTube, collect books and spend time in nature.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York's Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
Cost and payment options (20 points): Services (20 points): Reputation (20 points): Warranty (15 points): Customer Support (10 points): Industry Experience (10 points): Sustainability (5 points): Tori Addison