Palmetto wants software developers to electrify America using its AI building models

If you're considering solar panels or a heat pump for your home, you might wonder, "How many panels do I need?" or "What size heat pump should I get?" Traditionally, answering these questions meant having a contractor visit your property. However, over the past decade, solar installation companies have streamlined this process significantly. Some, like Tesla, have even eliminated the need for an on-site visit altogether, thanks to advanced software solutions.

These software tools integrate various data sources to accurately predict how many solar panels a home requires. For instance, Palmetto, a solar installer, uses its own proprietary tool developed from software it acquired when it purchased Mapdwell, a solar mapping startup. But as the residential solar market growth has slowed, Palmetto has expanded its focus to include other electrification projects, such as backup batteries and heat pumps. Creating software for these indoor systems, which satellite imagery can't see, presents unique challenges.

To tackle this, Palmetto embarked on a project to compile data and develop a virtual representation of every residential building in the United States. Michael Bratsafolis, Palmetto's president of energy intelligence, described this endeavor to TechCrunch as "basically simulating digital twins of the entire U.S. residential building stock."

Their tool harnesses both public and private data. When specific data is unavailable, AI steps in to make educated guesses about what's hidden within the walls. For example, a home constructed in the 1950s likely has 2×4 lumber framing its exterior walls, which limits the amount of insulation possible.

Bratsafolis explained that their technology can analyze a home and break it down into over 60 different characteristics and attributes. To ensure the accuracy of these models, Palmetto uses data from homes that have already purchased or leased solar panels from them. "That allows us to anonymize and use the real information and data about a home to compare how the model is performing and help train the model further," he said.

Palmetto's API and Developer Access

Palmetto has taken a bold step by opening its tool to external developers, a move inspired by Bratsafolis's previous experience at Twilio. "I came from that developer motion, the micro-service approach to providing API building blocks to kind of empower partners and developers," he remarked.

Developers can access the API with 500 free calls each month, after which it costs five cents per call. For larger clients, Palmetto is willing to negotiate customized pricing.

Bratsafolis hopes that developers will create tools that accelerate the electrification of U.S. buildings. By doing so, Palmetto will gain valuable insights into emerging market trends. "You just don't necessarily know what the use cases could be. And with an API product, you get incredible insight into the demand and the market," he said.