Palmetto Photo voltaic Assessment: Our New High Alternative for Going Photo voltaic Leave a comment

Palmetto is CNET’s highest rated photo voltaic firm of 2024, because of its sturdy marks for each buyer care and photo voltaic tools.

Palmetto’s suite of after-installation monitoring and assist, whereas not the one such choice within the trade, provides some peace of thoughts for individuals laying down a big amount of cash for an unfamiliar know-how. Even in the event you’re unfamiliar with photo voltaic know-how, you’ll be able to ensure that Palmetto installations include glorious tools. It provides a few of our favourite photo voltaic panels and batteries.

We really feel Palmetto, like the remainder of the trade, might discover methods to share extra pricing info with prospects earlier within the course of, although they do supply a tough estimate of the financial savings you may see in your power invoice. That is greater than another firms.

If you would like to avoid wasting cash on electrical energy, participate within the power transition or cost up your electrical automobile on a budget, rooftop photo voltaic could be a great match. However even with the assistance of a 30% federal tax credit score and different native photo voltaic incentives, going photo voltaic requires analysis, cautious thought and a big amount of cash. Navigating the extremely aggressive photo voltaic trade requires avoiding the less-than-honest firms on the market.

One of the vital necessary issues you are able to do is get a number of quotes from firms in your space, together with native ones, but it surely’s value figuring out the nationwide gamers who conduct a lot of the residential photo voltaic enterprise within the US. 

Regardless that this overview is as thorough as potential, it should not be the tip of your analysis. Store round and get a number of quotes earlier than transferring forward with one firm or one other. Be sure to get all of your questions answered and that you simply’re continuing with confidence. We did not undergo the ordering course of with Palmetto (or another firm we have reviewed), so your expertise might differ from what’s reported right here.

What do I get from Palmetto?

Palmetto photo voltaic prospects should purchase photo voltaic panels or enter right into a lease or energy buy settlement, though the vast majority of its prospects buy their panels. Whereas buying photo voltaic panels outright will usually prevent essentially the most cash in the long term, third-party possession fashions like leases and energy buy agreements have helped spur residential photo voltaic progress by eradicating a lot of the upfront value.

What tools does Palmetto set up?

No matter the way you get photo voltaic panels in your roof, Palmetto is prone to supply high quality ones. Whereas the corporate is “tools agnostic,” as Jason Conrad, Palmetto’s vp of product advertising and marketing instructed CNET in 2022, Palmetto’s predominant choices for photo voltaic panels and inverters are high quality ones.

Palmetto presently installs Qcells panels and REC Alpha Pure Black panels, although extra Qcells panels lately, Conrad stated in a 2023 e mail. It solely installs all-black panels which have low-profile mounting methods, 25-year warranties and sure provide chain ethics assurances. Qcells photo voltaic panels are the most generally put in in residential functions. The Qcells panels Palmetto highlights on-line have a most effectivity score of 21.4%, a top-tier mark, and the REC panels have a most effectivity score of 21.6%. 

Palmetto installs Enphase microinverters and SolarEdge inverters with energy optimizers, each of which permit for monitoring the system on the panel degree. The 2 firms present the vast majority of inverters utilized in residential photo voltaic installations.

Palmetto provides batteries from two producers. The present choices are from Sonnen and Tesla. A sonnenCore battery has 10 kilowatt-hours of capability and might discharge at a peak of 8.6 kilowatts or repeatedly at 4.8 kilowatts. You may stack at the least two batteries for a capability of 20 kWh. Sonnen’s Ecolinx has a capability of 12-20 kWh and might push out electrical energy at a steady charge of 8 kilowatts. It is also 100% recyclable, in accordance with Sonnen. Tesla’s Powerwall holds 13.5 kWh and might ship a gentle stream of power at 5 kilowatts or a peak of seven kilowatts.

What warranties does Palmetto supply?

Photo voltaic installations from Palmetto are lined by a 10-year workmanship guarantee and a five-year guarantee that the holes drilled in your roof will not leak, Conrad stated. These warranties are a bit shorter than another firms.

Each REC and Qcells panels are assured by the producer to supply at 86% of their rated capability after 25 years (some REC fashions have a 92% assure). These manufacturing warranties are close to the highest of the sector for each size and the extent of manufacturing.

Tesla and most Sonnen batteries supply 10-year warranties, although some Sonnen batteries carry 15-year warranties, the longest I’ve seen within the residential trade. SolarEdge inverters include a 12-year guarantee, whereas Enphase inverters include a 25-year guarantee.

Palmetto’s lease and energy buy settlement obtain further advantages — a manufacturing assure and labor protection — underneath the Palmetto Defend Efficiency plan. Prospects who buy their panels with both money or a mortgage can add this extra protection for a charge. Prospects who decide out of the Efficiency plan obtain the usual warranties and proactive monitoring of their system underneath the Palmetto Defend Necessities plan.

Does Palmetto supply monitoring providers?

The Palmetto app for monitoring, upkeep requests and customer support has a 3.9 star score on Google Play and a 4.4 score on Apple’s App Retailer.

Palmetto prospects additionally obtain proactive monitoring and communication of any issues that come up with their panels.

Does Palmetto use subcontractors?

Palmetto operates on a market system, which implies that it brings prospects and installers collectively. The corporate says this brings the worth down by fostering competitors, though you must nonetheless get a number of quotes. It additionally implies that Palmetto would not have installers on workers, although Palmetto can be your predominant level of contact all through. Including a efficiency assure on prime might cut back considerations you may really feel over installations not being dealt with in-house.

How a lot do Palmetto photo voltaic panels value?

Palmetto, like many photo voltaic firms, would not make its common costs per set up public. For some areas, it does provide you with a couple of primary items of details about your potential photo voltaic array. For our handle, we obtained a possible photo voltaic array projected onto our roof. It included the variety of panels wanted to offset my power utilization, however not a worth. 

The typical value of photo voltaic installations is $2.99 per watt for an 8-kilowatt system, in accordance with an evaluation accomplished by Wooden Mackenzie, although different estimates put the quantity greater. The map under makes use of state-specific pricing knowledge from FindEnergy, which experiences costs earlier than incentives. States with out knowledge are proven in grey.

Palmetto additionally hosts and operates a financing market, the place totally different lenders supply competing loans. This drives down the lending value, Conrad stated, although he could not say how a lot it saves individuals. These embody loans that will let you lump in different power effectivity or solar-related dwelling enhancements like new home windows, roofing, panel upgrades, battery storage and extra.

Once more, it is necessary to discover your choices for paying for photo voltaic. Avoiding a mortgage can prevent some huge cash since you will not pay lending charges or curiosity.

What financing choices does Palmetto supply?

You will get photo voltaic panels from Palmetto by way of buy, lease or energy buy settlement. Whereas buying panels, both with money or utilizing a mortgage, will ship the best financial savings over time, a lease or energy buy settlement removes a lot of the upfront prices. Relying on the phrases of your settlement, you may get monetary savings in your power invoice instantly reasonably than after a couple of years, like photo voltaic purchases.

Palmetto’s leases and energy buy agreements include an choice to purchase out your system beginning after 5 years. This setup permits you to get photo voltaic financial savings instantly whereas holding open your choice to purchase (and sure accessing larger financial savings). It is a provision that does not appear to be frequent however helps alleviate some considerations you might need over getting into right into a 25-year contract.

Leases could be a extra engaging choice, as rates of interest are excessive.

“The buyer worth proposition on shopping for photo voltaic via a mortgage is basically impacted by greater rates of interest,” Jason Conrad, senior vp of Palmetto, instructed CNET in September.

Does Palmetto Photo voltaic function in my state? How do I order?

Palmetto operates in 25 states, in accordance with its web site. Whilst you’ll work together with Palmetto all through the method, Palmetto is “100% p.c pushed by distributors in our community,” Conrad stated. Palmetto might promote, set up or finance panels (or some mixture of the three) within the states under, in accordance with an organization spokesperson.

To order, you will contact the corporate via Palmetto’s web site to get quotes and join with a photo voltaic advisor. That course of contains an introductory assembly, a web site survey, contract signing and system design, principally on-line. From there, the corporate lays out a timeline for working photo voltaic panels that can take two to 4 months. 

Is Palmetto Photo voltaic my most suitable option?

The quick reply for a purchase order this huge is “it relies upon.” Earlier than you buy photo voltaic panels, you must collect a number of quotes and thoroughly take into account what’s finest to your dwelling and power use.

Palmetto does supply high quality tools that is broadly used throughout the trade. Its acknowledged requirements for photo voltaic panels imply they are going to be prime tier and underneath sturdy warranties. The inverter and batteries on supply are sturdy candidates too.

The warranties Palmetto provides range from sturdy to decrease than common. As a result of it provides high quality tools, the tools warranties are sturdy. Its workmanship warranties match lots of the others within the discipline, however the five-year guarantee for roof penetrations might be longer. 

Palmetto’s promise to proactively monitor is a pleasant addition that may supply peace of thoughts for individuals who really feel intimidated by the know-how they’re shopping for. I can see the manufacturing assure doing the identical factor for cautious prospects.

Palmetto does have an A+ score from the Higher Enterprise Bureau.

Whereas this overview is researched to the most effective of my capacity, it can’t be overstated that every photo voltaic scenario is totally different. Roof development, native local weather and your power use all influence how photo voltaic panels finest suit your wants. Getting a number of quotes and negotiating with photo voltaic firms is one of the best ways to make sure you’re getting a great deal; this overview cannot change that.

Execs

• Sturdy dedication to assist after set up
• High quality tools on supply
• Financing market might drive down costs

Cons

• Some warranties might be longer
• No agency worth match coverage

Palmetto evaluations: What are prospects saying?

On-line buyer evaluations may be useful in a couple of methods. Whereas it is doubtless not a good suggestion to anticipate your expertise with an organization to comply with level for level with any particular person overview, they could be a helpful place to determine traits within the buyer expertise and determine what questions you should ask of installers. 

Here is a small pattern of the great and unhealthy from the Higher Enterprise Bureau, which has been flippantly edited for spelling and punctuation.

5 star evaluations

“Unimaginable service. Everybody was so good and so they have been very useful and there was no strain. They put in them very quick and did a superb job. I might suggest!” Nick L. Might 2, 2023

“Palmetto has stored me properly knowledgeable in regards to the venture and the following step all the course of. I’m very pleased with the tip end result. It did take a bit longer than I anticipated however properly value it! Palmetto is at all times fast to answer any questions. My photo voltaic panels are producing above my expectations.” Kay G. April 1, 2023

1 star evaluations

“My system has been useless for some time and am presently ready for them to approve the third occasion to treatment this incompetent set up (+-$790), however they’re simply leaving me hanging.” Sheldon B. March 3, 2023 (Palmetto responded that it is engaged on an answer to this grievance.)

“Eight months in the past, I began the method of getting photo voltaic panels put in on my roof with Palmetto. Over 5 months in the past, I gave a deposit for my venture. About two months in the past, I reached out to my venture supervisor and quite a few different Palmetto brokers that I reached by way of their customer support line, inquiring to know what the hold-up was as I had heard nothing (and nonetheless had no photo voltaic). Effectively, since then, nobody has returned a telephone name. I filed a case to have my venture canceled and my deposit refunded.” Christine B. Feb. 1, 2023 (Palmetto indicated it could attain out to the shopper to offer an replace shortly.)

How we consider photo voltaic firms

Reviewing photo voltaic firms in a hands-on means is troublesome. Accounting for all of the variations from venture to venture is unattainable. To offer a useful overview, we centered on what we are able to measure and meaningfully evaluate amongst firms.

We concentrate on three buckets of standards: tools, warranties and repair. 

Throughout the tools class, firms obtain scores for the panels, inverters and batteries they set up. Warranties embody ensures on the panels, workmanship and weatherization in opposition to leaks. Corporations earn factors for service if they provide a worth match, a significant degree of worth transparency and a well-rated app for monitoring photo voltaic manufacturing. They lose factors if there are main points pertaining to customer support (lawsuits, investigations or clear reputations for shoddy service). These points will at all times be detailed within the overview.

You may learn an in depth take a look at how the scoring breaks down.

We do not take into account the common worth of an organization’s installations of their rating. This info is troublesome to seek out and arduous to match throughout service areas (and even roof-to-roof). Corporations are sometimes sluggish to reveal it, too. We additionally omit simply discovered however not helpful info like what number of states an organization operates in.

Learn extra: Need one thing smaller than a whole-home photo voltaic system? See our picks for the finest transportable photo voltaic panels and photo voltaic mills.

Steadily requested questions

Correction, Jan. 31, 2023: An earlier model of this text misstated the Higher Enterprise Bureau’s grading course of. Any firm can obtain a grade from the Bureau, no matter whether or not it has paid to undergo the accreditation course of.