⚡ LightReach by Palmetto · California

Solar + Battery.
$0 Down. Pay Per kWh.

LightReach gives California homeowners two ways to get clean energy without buying equipment. A Solar + Battery PPA — pay only for what your system produces at a rate below PG&E, SMUD, or SCE. Or a Battery-Only Lease — backup power with no upfront cost.

  • $0 down — no purchase, no ownership required
  • Solar + battery PPA or battery-only lease — two paths
  • Palmetto owns, monitors, and maintains the equipment
  • 650+ credit score required — soft pull to check eligibility
  • Available in PG&E, SMUD, and SCE territory
Check My LightReach Eligibility → (209) 216-8180

🔒 Soft pull only · No obligation · Local follow-up within 1 hour

LightReach by Palmetto

Check Your
LightReach Options

60 seconds. Soft pull only. We confirm which LightReach product fits your home.

$0
Down
25yr
Term
650+
Credit Score
0
Maintenance Bills
Start Eligibility Check →

Questions? Call (209) 216-8180

Two LightReach Options

Pick Your Path to $0 Down

Both products are powered by Palmetto's LightReach program. Both are $0 down with no maintenance responsibility. The difference is what's on your roof — and how you pay.

⭐ Most Popular · Recommended

LightReach
Solar + Battery PPA

Solar panels and a home battery installed together under a single Power Purchase Agreement. Palmetto owns the equipment — you pay only for the electricity your system produces, at a fixed per-kWh rate below your utility. Under NEM 3.0 this is the strongest path to real bill savings.

  • Solar panels + battery storage in one $0-down PPA
  • Pay per kWh produced — rate fixed below PG&E or SCE
  • Battery maximizes self-consumption under NEM 3.0 rules
  • Backup power during PSPS outages — no generator needed
  • Palmetto monitors and maintains everything — zero maintenance calls
  • Transfers to new buyer if you sell your home
  • 25-year term · 650+ credit score · soft pull to check eligibility
Best for Homeowners who want maximum bill reduction under NEM 3.0, outage protection, and zero equipment responsibility. Ideal for PG&E time-of-use customers where self-consumption delivers the strongest savings.
Check Solar + Battery PPA Eligibility →
Battery · Standalone Option

LightReach
Battery-Only Lease

Already have solar — or not ready for panels yet? Lease a home battery on its own. Charge from your existing solar system or from the grid during low-rate overnight hours, then discharge during expensive 4–9pm peak hours. Backup power included.

  • Battery storage only — no solar panels required
  • Pairs with existing solar or charges from the grid
  • $0 down lease — no ownership or maintenance responsibility
  • TOU load-shifting: charge cheap off-peak, discharge during peak
  • Automatic outage backup — switchover is seamless
  • Palmetto monitors and maintains the battery
  • 650+ credit score · soft pull to check eligibility
Best for Homeowners who already have solar and want to add storage without buying a battery outright. Also works for homes not yet ready for panels but wanting backup power and TOU bill management now.
Check Battery Lease Eligibility →
Simple Process

How LightReach Works

1

Eligibility Check

We confirm your address, utility, and credit — soft pull only. Takes 60 seconds with zero impact to your score at this stage.

2

System Design

Palmetto designs your solar and/or battery configuration around your home's actual usage, roof orientation, and utility rate structure.

3

Sign & Permit

You review and sign your LightReach agreement digitally. Palmetto files permits and handles all paperwork. Hard credit pull occurs at signing.

4

Install & Go Live

Licensed crew installs your system. Utility interconnection granted. Palmetto monitors your equipment — you just enjoy lower bills and backup power.

Side by Side

LightReach vs. Buying Outright

⭐ RecommendedLightReach PPA Also AvailableLightReach Battery Lease AlternativePurchase / Finance
Upfront Cost $0 Down $0 Down Cash or Loan Required
Who Owns Equipment Palmetto Palmetto You
How You Pay Per kWh produced Fixed monthly lease Cash or loan payment
Maintenance & Repairs Included Included Your responsibility
Outage Backup Yes — battery included Yes — battery included Yes if battery purchased
NEM 3.0 Optimized Yes — self-consumption design Partial — battery only Depends on system design
Credit Score Required 650+ 650+ 650+ (financing) or none (PACE)
Builds Home Equity No No Yes
Term 25 years Lease term Loan term or owned outright
Check LightReach Eligibility → Compare All Financing Options
Battery Sizing Tool

How Much Backup Do You Need?

Adjust your essential appliances and target backup hours to see a recommended battery size. Then check eligibility for the LightReach lease.

Essential Load Estimator

Edit wattage for your home, choose target backup hours, then calculate.

🧊 Refrigerator W
📶 Wi-Fi / Router W
💡 Lights (mixed rooms) W
📱 Phone / Device Charging W
🫁 Medical Device (CPAP) W
Target Backup Hours
Your Estimated Requirements
— Total Essential Load (W)
— Recommended Capacity (kWh)
— Suggested Configuration

Estimates assume ~90% usable capacity and ~94% inverter efficiency. Actual system design depends on start-up surges, wiring, code compliance, and preferred circuits. Final sizing confirmed during your estimate consultation.

Common Questions

LightReach Straight Answers

What's the difference between the LightReach PPA and the battery lease? +
The Solar + Battery PPA includes solar panels and a battery under one agreement. You pay a fixed per-kWh rate for the electricity your system produces — that rate is set below your current utility rate. The Battery-Only Lease covers just the battery — no solar panels. You pay a fixed monthly lease payment for the storage system and charge it from existing solar or the grid during off-peak hours. Both are $0 down and include Palmetto monitoring and maintenance.
Do I need good credit for LightReach? +
A 650 or higher credit score is required to qualify for any LightReach product. The initial eligibility check is a soft pull — no impact to your score. A hard pull occurs at the time you sign the agreement. If your credit score is below 650, ask us about PACE financing, which has no credit score requirement — you just need to be current on your property taxes.
Does solar still make sense under NEM 3.0 with a LightReach PPA? +
Yes — the LightReach Solar + Battery PPA is specifically designed for NEM 3.0. Under NEM 3.0, exporting power to the grid earns less than it used to. The battery component stores midday solar production and discharges it during expensive 4–9pm peak hours, maximizing self-consumption. The fixed per-kWh rate you pay Palmetto is set below your utility rate, so every kWh your system produces instead of buying from PG&E or SCE saves you money.
Who owns the equipment and who handles maintenance? +
Palmetto owns all equipment under both LightReach products. They monitor system health 24/7 and handle all maintenance and repairs at no additional cost during the term. You have no maintenance responsibility — if something needs attention, Palmetto handles it. This is one of the key advantages of the lease and PPA structure over purchasing outright.
What happens if I sell my home? +
LightReach agreements transfer to the new buyer as part of the home sale. Many buyers see this as an advantage — instant clean energy and backup power with no upfront cost. We'll walk you through how the transfer works during your proposal review so you understand exactly how it affects your sale before you sign.
Is LightReach available with my utility? +
LightReach is available across California including PG&E, SCE, and SMUD territory. Availability and rates are confirmed after your address and utility are reviewed. SMUD customers — note that your rate structure differs from PG&E and SCE and we'll model the savings specific to your utility when we build your proposal.