Solar panels, also called photovoltaic or PV panels, consist of solar cells that are designed to capture the radiant light and heat contained in sunlight and convert it into usable clean energy for your home.

When sunlight hits your solar panel, the photons of energy are converted into DC (direct current) electricity, which is then converted into AC (alternating current) electricity for use in your home. Solar panels are often grouped together to form a solar grid or solar array, allowing you to capture and harness the right amount of energy for your needs.

There are several factors we can look at to determine if solar might be a good solution for your needs, including roof space, home energy usage, credit health, and eligibility for incentives. At Palmetto, we start by calculating a quick savings estimate based on your home, location, and current electricity costs. We can then outline options based on your goals and the specifics of your home. All of this happens before you buy, allowing you to decide if solar is right for you based on a clear understanding of the potential costs and savings.

Yes! Whether you're looking to save money, save resources, or protect the natural environment from the effects of climate change, adding solar power to your home can be an effective way to tackle all three.

Solar customers can save thousands over the lifetime of their residential solar power systems—often earning credit on power they generate through net metering programs and recouping costs via various rebates and incentives. Meanwhile, the cost of conventional electricity is only going up.

On the environmental front, an investment in sustainable, solar energy allows you to dramatically decrease your carbon footprint and your reliance on fossil fuels. It’s also a great way to boost interest in clean technologies and the economies they support.

You're right, solar energy can feel very complex, especially if you're researching providers, technologies, incentives, municipal requirements, permits, the list goes on. That’s why NXT LEVEL created end-to-end solar energy solutions that allow you to plug into savings with less time and no hassle. From financing and design to installation, tracking, and maintenance, our dedicated Customer Experience Team is here to answer questions, address concerns, and guide you through every step of the process.

The right solar energy system for your home will depend on a variety of factors, including your current energy usage, the size and layout of your roof, and your preferred level of energy independence. To hone in on the right solution for your home, we'll outline estimated costs, environmental impact, monthly savings, and long-term savings based on system sizes that work with your roof. Should you choose to invest, we'll design a solution to meet your goals and maximize your savings—no haggling, no upselling, just right.

We work exclusively with the top solar panel, inverter, and storage manufacturers in the industry and specify components based on your project and location. While equipment offerings will vary by location and availability, we maintain selective product and performance standards to ensure that every solar energy solution promises peak performance, efficiency, and reliability.

For solar panels, we select premium solar panels in solid black with an efficiency rating greater than 19.8%. In most U.S. markets, our standard panel size or power rating is 395-405 watts. Manufacturers must offer, at minimum, a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year linear performance guarantee (though some product warranties extend to 25 years).

We select high-efficiency inverters with optimized module performance technology and will specify components—including inverter brand and panel size—in your Home Improvement Contract.

Great question! Solar panels installed by NXT LEVEL are highly efficient and require little to no maintenance. That said, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting the most out of your solar array.

For peak efficiency, make sure your solar panels are free of dust and debris. Regular weather patterns will do most of the work for you but annual cleanings can be of benefit.

Monitor production via the Enphase app to better understand your energy production.

You can safeguard your solar investment with NXT LEVEL +. NXT LEVEL + offers the coverage you need for the confidence you want.

With real time energy monitoring, one-click customer support, comprehensive energy recommendations, and best-in-class service, your system can run a peak efficiency while your mind can rest at ease.

Smart home features and devices such as thermostats, shade and lighting solutions, energy-efficient appliances, and home automation systems can dramatically reduce your overall energy usage.

You can optimize your clean energy usage by scheduling high energy chores (such as doing the laundry or running your dishwasher) for sunny hours/days when production levels are at their highest.

That depends on your overall household energy usage relative to the total capacity of your solar array.

A home that functions “off the grid” is not dependent on public utilities, namely power and water. That said, wherever public utilities are available, we recommend maintaining a connection. This allows you to source power from both public utilities and solar panels depending on your usage needs relative to the power generated by your solar array. Homeowners who wish to function “off the grid”, whether by necessity or preference, typically require a larger solar array and the addition of a solar energy storage system (also known as a battery storage system).

If you add a home battery to your solar power system, you can avoid disruptions caused by grid outages. The amount of energy available for you to use in case of an outage will depend on several factors:

- The size and production of your solar panels
- The size of the battery installed
- The battery state of charge when the outage occurs
- The areas or appliances in your home that are prioritized to receive power when the grid goes down.

If, however, your solar energy system does not include a home battery, then yes, your power will go out. In the event of an outage, all standalone solar energy systems will automatically shut down in accordance with grid codes and mandatory inverter specifications.

If your home is connected to the grid and you’re located in a net metering area, any excess energy produced can flow back into the grid, and may earn you credit on your electricity bill. If you choose to integrate energy storage with your solar power system, any excess energy that is produced and not immediately used by your household will function to charge your battery. This, in turn, allows you to access stored solar power for your home when energy usage exceeds production. Homeowners not connected to the grid often choose to increase their solar storage capacity to enable uninterrupted power regardless of weather or time of day.

Researching policies, building codes, and permits can be of the more challenging aspects of installing residential solar power. Our dedicated team will work on your behalf to navigate state, local, and utility requirements. We’re always up-to-date on the processes in your area so can move through building codes and permits with the ultimate efficiency. Many homeowners associations also have rules or covenants that dictate the design, placement, and installation of solar panels. If your home is part of an HOA, we're here to guide you through.