See how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in Michigan

Solar power in Michigan

Last fact-checked on April 14, 2023, by Catherine Lane

Michigan is one of the best places in the nation to install solar panels. A combination of high average sun exposure, expensive utility rates, the solar tax credit, and the state's net metering law means homeowners can get an excellent return by installing solar panels.
But, Michigan net metering rules have changed, causing solar panels to save less money than they have in the past. Don't worry, Michiganians can still see an excellent return on investment under the new rules, and battery storage is now a more economical choice.

Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Michigan

Michigan solar power facts

$3.79 per watt

Average cost: 6.5kW solar power system

11 years 4 months

Average payback time

$20,781

Average lifetime savings

4

Average peak sunlight hours

$0.19 kWh

If you don't get solar

7,592kWh

Annual solar power production

*Price calculations have the 30% Federal Tax Credit applied.

Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 6.5kW system

This 6.5kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Michigan is $126.75, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.

8 Solar companies in Michigan that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace.

How much can solar panels save you in Michigan

Average total cost of solar panel installation in Michigan

System Size

Cash purchase
After 30% solar tax credit

Financed purchase
After 30% solar tax credit

3kW

$8,757

$9,457

4kW

$11,372

$12,281

5kW

$13,834

$14,941

6kW

$16,146

$17,437

7kW

$18,305

$19,769

8kW

$20,312

$21,936

9kW

$22,167

$23,940

10kW

$23,870

$25,779

How much do solar panels cost in Michigan?

$3.79 per watt

Cash purchased solar system After 30% solar tax credit

$3.96 per watt

Financed solar system After 30% solar tax credit

What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Michigan?

The advantages of installing solar panels in Michigan are that there are both state-based incentives and the federal tax credit to help reduce system costs. In addition, much like everything else in Michigan, power is expensive! High electric rates means you have the potential to save more money, making the overall return on investment for residential solar panels in the state much higher than other states in the nation.

The disadvantage of installing solar panels in Michigan is that there is less overall solar irradiation. This means a system in Michigan will produce less power than a system in sunnier states, like Arizona. However, the state and local incentives more than make up for this. Michigan homeowners should not pass up the opportunity to install solar while these amazing incentives are still in place.

Enter your details to calculate the potential costs and savings you can expect to see after installing solar panels on your home.

Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Michigan

How much electricity will solar panels produce in Michigan

Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.

Solar panels installed on a south-facing 30-degree pitch roof will typically produce:

1,168kWh

per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity

For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.

I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself

I am an electrician and want to install the solar panels myself
I want to buy the equipment and hire an electrician and roofer to install them

Solar Calculator

Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Michigan , we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.

What you can find out about installing solar panels in Michigan using our full monthly solar calculator

This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:

  • What size solar system do you need?

  • Answers the question of how many solar panels do I need?

  • How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels

  • Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Michigan

  • The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.

  • Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Michigan ;

  • The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.

  • Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.

If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Michigan solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.

Going solar in Michigan

Check out all of the ways energy providers of Michigan can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.

The following programs are available:

Incentive Name

Eligibility

Type

Federal solar tax credit

Federal

Personal tax credit