Palmetto
FreeClean energy marketplace connecting homeowners with solar installers, offering solar panel quotes, financing options, and energy monitoring tools.
What does this tool do?
Palmetto is a solar energy marketplace that streamlines the process of going solar for homeowners by combining quote generation, financing options, and energy monitoring into a single platform. The core service connects homeowners with pre-vetted solar installers, allowing users to input their address and energy bills to receive personalized solar potential assessments and installation quotes. Beyond quotes, Palmetto offers three distinct financing pathways: a subscription-based lease model (LightReach) where Palmetto owns the system and handles maintenance, a cash purchase option for upfront buyers, and loan financing with no money down. The platform includes a dashboard tracker that monitors energy production and savings in real-time, plus an educational hub with state-specific solar guides and content addressing common homeowner questions about solar economics, incentives, and related home electrification solutions like heat pumps.
AI analysis from Feb 23, 2026
Key Features
- Solar potential calculator that estimates production and savings based on address and historical energy bills
- Multi-option financing marketplace offering subscription leases, loans with no money down, and outright purchase paths
- Real-time energy production tracker and savings dashboard monitoring system output and cumulative financial returns
- State-specific solar guides providing localized data on incentives, tax credits, electricity rates, and regional cost benchmarks
- Educational expert center with articles addressing common solar and home electrification questions (heat pumps, solar bill elimination, etc.)
- Installer matching and quote aggregation connecting homeowners with pre-screened local installers
Use Cases
- 1Homeowners looking to reduce electricity bills by 25-40% want to compare solar installation costs and financing options without contacting multiple contractors individually
- 2Budget-conscious homeowners with limited upfront capital need a no-money-down loan option to spread solar system costs over time while locking in energy savings
- 3Renters or homeowners hesitant about system ownership can opt for the LightReach lease model with included maintenance to avoid long-term equipment responsibilities
- 4Homeowners seeking energy independence want real-time visibility into their solar system's production and cumulative savings through the platform's dashboard monitoring
- 5Homeowners in specific states need transparent, localized information about tax credits, rebates, and electricity rate structures to accurately assess ROI before committing
- 6Property owners considering complementary upgrades like heat pumps can access educational resources comparing the economic benefits of bundled home electrification solutions
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Multiple financing models (lease, loan, cash) remove barriers for homeowners across different financial situations, making solar accessible beyond just wealthy cash-buyers
- Quote aggregation eliminates the friction of contacting multiple installers separately; users get competitive options from pre-vetted providers in their region
- Real-time energy monitoring dashboard provides tangible ROI visibility, helping homeowners validate savings claims and optimize energy consumption patterns
- Educational content (state guides, expert articles) builds buyer confidence by addressing information gaps and demystifying solar economics, financing, and incentives
Limitations
- Pricing transparency is limited—the website provides no upfront cost ranges, financing rates, or lease payment estimates, forcing users to provide personal information before seeing actual numbers
- Geographic availability constraints are not disclosed; unclear if Palmetto serves all US states or only regions with sufficient installer density, limiting utility for some users
- The platform acts as a middleman, which may result in higher costs compared to direct negotiation with installers, and the lease model locks users into long-term contracts with limited flexibility
- No indication of how installer quality is vetted or what recourse exists if installation quality is poor, leaving homeowners vulnerable to subpar workmanship
Pricing Details
Pricing details not publicly available. The website does not display financing rates, lease payment amounts, loan term details, system cost ranges, or installation fees. Users must enter their address and energy bill information to receive personalized quotes from installers.
Who is this for?
Homeowners aged 35-65 in single-family homes with electric utility bills seeking to reduce energy costs and carbon footprint. Best suited for users with moderate to good credit (for loan qualification), those interested in energy independence, and homeowners in regions with strong solar irradiance and available tax incentives. Appeals to both tech-savvy users comfortable with monitoring dashboards and less technical homeowners seeking simplified financing guidance.