There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
Despite the best efforts of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who in 2019 signed into law a bill reinstating a property tax exemption for solar, the net metering rules for solar here were weakened significantly by DTE. Read on to learn what those impacts mean for your investment in home solar panels in Michigan.
On this page, we cover all of the solar and battery incentives, rebates and tax credits available for your Michigan home. We also encourage you to use the Michigan solar calculator above. It allows you to drill down and show only your roof and computes a savings estimate customized to how much sun you get where you live.
Learn what solar incentives are available to Michigan homeowners
See what Michigan solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Michigan solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Michigan
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume to make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Full retail rate net metering in Michigan was eliminated by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) in 2019. In its place, the MPSC opted for a new "Distributed Generation Program with energy credits for solar customers at the “power supply component” of the retail rate minus transmission charges. That basically means you are credited at about half of the full retail for the power you send back to the grid.
More than ever it’s important to properly size your solar energy system for your usage, and perhaps look into onsite energy storage so you aren’t sending valuable electricity back to your utility on the cheap!
Michigan can and has done better than this, but it’s now going to be difficult for solar installers in the state to expand. Regardless, home solar power can still be a smart investment here. Use our solar calculator to find out why.
While Michigan does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive.
Michigan's solar property tax exemption has been on a bit of a roller coaster in the past decade. The state had one for many years, but it went away in 2013 under former Governor Rick Snyder. Then in 2019, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill to reinstate the property tax exemption for solar.
That means the tens of thousands of dollars in value your solar panels add to your property cannot be considered in assessing your home for property taxes. That's a win!
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Prices based on a 10.2kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
29 solar companies in Michigan provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.85 204 Reviews
Maria L, over 1 month
Our Stellar team was excellent! Everybody from the installation folks to the tech who explained how to use the app was helpful and professional. Communication with our rep was also really good- and thorough. Highly recommend!
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Maria L, over 1 month
Our Stellar team was excellent! Everybody from the installation folks to the tech who explained how to use the app was helpful and professional. Communication with our rep was also really good- and thorough. Highly recommend!
4.73 662 Reviews
Joshua Bentley, over 1 month
They worked with me so professionally. The only slowdowns were on consumer end and they were so patient and polite. Tulsa shine solar office. Hmm. ;) Excellent work lads and lassies.
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Joshua Bentley, over 1 month
They worked with me so professionally. The only slowdowns were on consumer end and they were so patient and polite. Tulsa shine solar office. Hmm. ;) Excellent work lads and lassies.
4.52 1,953 Reviews
Landon, 3 weeks ago
I had applied to a door to door sales position and scheduled a 1-1 zoom call from 1:50pm-2:10pm wed 10/30/2024. Interviewer never showed up. Didn't even bother to communicate if something came up. How can you trust a company that doesn't care about its employees... waisted 20min of my time.
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Landon, 3 weeks ago
I had applied to a door to door sales position and scheduled a 1-1 zoom call from 1:50pm-2:10pm wed 10/30/2024. Interviewer never showed up. Didn't even bother to communicate if something came up. How can you trust a company that doesn't care about its employees... waisted 20min of my time.
4.44 30 Reviews
Joel, 3 weeks ago
After needing 3 times someone to correct bugs in the solar panel system on my house including Generac to correct warrantee needs Michigan Solar Solutions came to the rescue. When Kyle arrived he began to do a thorough job and was able to answer all our questions. When he finished, my system is now operating the best it ever has in the two years I have had it. I am very thankful for Michigan Solar Systems
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Joel, 3 weeks ago
After needing 3 times someone to correct bugs in the solar panel system on my house including Generac to correct warrantee needs Michigan Solar Solutions came to the rescue. When Kyle arrived he began to do a thorough job and was able to answer all our questions. When he finished, my system is now operating the best it ever has in the two years I have had it. I am very thankful for Michigan Solar Systems
4.42 22 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
Midwest installed an 18.9 kw ground mounted system for us that was an especially challenging set of circumstances. Without going into all the details, let's just say they went above and beyond to do whatever it took to make this work, and stayed at their quoted amount even after a lot of challenges. Top notch organization!
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Anonymous, over 1 month
Midwest installed an 18.9 kw ground mounted system for us that was an especially challenging set of circumstances. Without going into all the details, let's just say they went above and beyond to do whatever it took to make this work, and stayed at their quoted amount even after a lot of challenges. Top notch organization!
4.38 7 Reviews
Jerry Caviani, over 1 month
Mike Miller was great to work with and follow up support was excellent. We had one minor problem with DTE and Mike was there the next day to get things going.<br />
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Jerry Caviani, over 1 month
Mike Miller was great to work with and follow up support was excellent. We had one minor problem with DTE and Mike was there the next day to get things going.<br />
4.38 7 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
Gary, the owner of Sunshine Solar and Wind was able to design a system that would meet our needs for an acceptable price. He did an impeccable installation of the system and connected it to our home via internet. On occasion, when there was a glitch with the power company, Gary solved the problem quickly. I will definitely chose Gary to do the expansion of the system or the install in our home in Colorado Springs!
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Anonymous, over 1 month
Gary, the owner of Sunshine Solar and Wind was able to design a system that would meet our needs for an acceptable price. He did an impeccable installation of the system and connected it to our home via internet. On occasion, when there was a glitch with the power company, Gary solved the problem quickly. I will definitely chose Gary to do the expansion of the system or the install in our home in Colorado Springs!
Jeremy Tabor, over 1 month
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4.14 8 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
We were fortunate to find these folks early in our search for a residential solar array. The Michigan connection was certainly a plus. Allan, Devon, Aaron, Pam, Tyson, and Lynda have been a pleasure to work with. They have been punctual, returned our calls quickly, and answered our questions and concerns. Installation went smoothly even though it was in middle of some of the worst days of this last winter. We have and will continue to recommend Contractors Building Supply Inc. to our family and friends.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
We were fortunate to find these folks early in our search for a residential solar array. The Michigan connection was certainly a plus. Allan, Devon, Aaron, Pam, Tyson, and Lynda have been a pleasure to work with. They have been punctual, returned our calls quickly, and answered our questions and concerns. Installation went smoothly even though it was in middle of some of the worst days of this last winter. We have and will continue to recommend Contractors Building Supply Inc. to our family and friends.
4.11 42 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
MECHANICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS and in particular, Donna Nepalitano and Chaley McDonnell are NOT TO BE TRUSTED. They only want to close the sale and take your money.<br /><br />CHARLEY IS ONLY IBNTERESTED IN CLOSING THE DEAL AND GETTING HIS COMMISSION. I have sent regular mail and certified letters to Donna Nepalitano to try and get this resolved. She assured me during the ONE pnone contact I have received from them over the past 18 months that they are very concerned about this and want to make sure their customers are very satisfied." crap<br /><br />During the initial sales pitch I pointed out several inconsistencies in the prospectus and financial numbers they quoted. They appeared to be quite surprised that anyone actually read their stuff. They promised to make good on money that is owed to me and GUARANTEED by Charley. 18 months later, no phone calls and no response.<br /><br />When their 'engineer' came out to insttall the panels on my roof, he wanted to place the solar panels between two large trees ????? It was ME who told them to place it back on the garage where the SUN COULD GET TO IT.<br /><br />There is no follow up once they get your money you will never hear from them again.<br /><br />I have talked to their installers who say that Charley will tell the customer anything without haveing any idea of what it takes to install some of their products. This is an on-going problem with them. Ask the installers.<br /><br />They just don't care.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
MECHANICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS and in particular, Donna Nepalitano and Chaley McDonnell are NOT TO BE TRUSTED. They only want to close the sale and take your money.<br /><br />CHARLEY IS ONLY IBNTERESTED IN CLOSING THE DEAL AND GETTING HIS COMMISSION. I have sent regular mail and certified letters to Donna Nepalitano to try and get this resolved. She assured me during the ONE pnone contact I have received from them over the past 18 months that they are very concerned about this and want to make sure their customers are very satisfied." crap<br /><br />During the initial sales pitch I pointed out several inconsistencies in the prospectus and financial numbers they quoted. They appeared to be quite surprised that anyone actually read their stuff. They promised to make good on money that is owed to me and GUARANTEED by Charley. 18 months later, no phone calls and no response.<br /><br />When their 'engineer' came out to insttall the panels on my roof, he wanted to place the solar panels between two large trees ????? It was ME who told them to place it back on the garage where the SUN COULD GET TO IT.<br /><br />There is no follow up once they get your money you will never hear from them again.<br /><br />I have talked to their installers who say that Charley will tell the customer anything without haveing any idea of what it takes to install some of their products. This is an on-going problem with them. Ask the installers.<br /><br />They just don't care.