Palmetto
4.8
6.3
Overall Score
Author: Rebecca Graham
Palmetto was founded in 2010 by Chris Kemper, who, after years working for some of the world’s leading organizations on climate change, realized that stopping climate change would not be possible without changing our energy system quickly and on a massive scale. Palmetto's vision is to make renewable energy resources a right and not a privilege; what Palmetto likes to call the "democratization" of energy.
Palmetto’s clean energy platform technology company has helped thousands of homeowners go solar. Currently, Palmetto offers its solar services in 23 states, with growth expected to continue in 2022 and beyond.
Additionally, the company boasts that Palmetto homeowners are on track to prevent more than one million metric tons of carbon dioxide from reaching our atmosphere — as of September 2021.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Forecast Your Savings
- Handles Everything from Financing to Installation
- Extended Protection
- Financing Options
Forecast Your Savings
Before even consulting with Palmetto, homeowners can forecast their savings in just a few short minutes with Palmetto's solar savings estimate calculator. This is a good way to find out just how much you can save on your electric bill without directly speaking with anyone from the company. If you are happy with the numbers, then you can easily schedule a consultation.
Handles Everything from Financing to Installation
For many homeowners, all the licenses, permits, technologies, incentives, municipal requirements, and schedule juggling can be pretty overwhelming (if not downright demotivating). To help lighten your load, Palmetto offers clients a variety of end-to-end solar solutions that allow you to relax. The company oversees everything from financing, design, engineering, permitting, and installation.
Extended Protection
Palmetto offers homeowners a little extra protection for their solar panels for less than $10 per month.
In 2021, Palmetto launched its new solar energy monitoring program, Palmetto Protect. It is available through the company app and provides information on energy production, consumption (if applicable), and savings. This app is excellent for homeowners who want to monitor their solar panel's productivity easily and, of course, their savings.
In addition to the basic Palmetto Protect plan, Palmetto offers three paid versions — ranging from $8 per month to $49 per month. Each plan comes with different benefits.
Essentials Plan
- 24/7 proactive monitoring by the Palmetto team
- Monthly system review and personalized recommendations to save energy and money
- Prioritized support and troubleshooting
Standard Plan
- Annual on-site visual inspection to ensure overall system health
- System health report based on visual inspection
- Discounts from top-rated local service providers for any new products or services
Premium Plan
- Annual panel cleaning (up to 25 panels) or one free service visit
- Guaranteed service appointments within 24 hours
- Consultation on a potential smart device, storage, and EV savings
Palmetto's extended protection is entirely optional but could help you optimize your savings and ensure that your solar energy system is working at full efficiency. Not only would you get 24/7 professional monitoring services from the Palmetto Team, but a representative would also visit annually to ensure your panels are in good working condition.
Financing Options
Palmetto has a dedicated customer care team who is available to explain, clarify, and help you determine your financing options.
The Bad
- Not Available Nationwide
Not Available Nationwide
Palmetto is currently only available in 23 of the 50 states. If your state is not listed below, double-check the Palmetto website to see if operations have expanded to your state. If not, you'll have to research and find another solar company to work with.
As of November 2021, Palmetto operates in the following states, as well as Washington, D.C.:
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Palmetto may have plans to expand its solar services to the entire nation, but the timeline for potential expansion is undisclosed.
The Bottom Line
As the cost of conventional electricity rises, Palmetto prides itself on helping customers save thousands of dollars with its residential solar power systems — all while investing in sustainable energy sources.
With Palmetto, homeowners can rest assured that everything is taken care of since the company has a fully distributed network and is actively present throughout all stages of the process. The company has been around for just over a decade and has already helped thousands of families across the globe.
Palmetto's services are not yet available to all residents of the United States, so before you spend too much time researching and banking on this company, it's best you double-check to see if your home is within the service area.
