Michigan solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

Last updated 12.01.21

Michigan State 54 solar panels available

  • $2.33 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of May 2023
  • 9 years Average system payback period
  • $42 055 Average savings from going solar in Michigan
  • 9 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
  • 4.51 kW Recommended system size

Benefit from a PV system
in Michigan

Solar panels in Michigan

Michigan #50 in the US
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What our happy customers say

I was in need of new solar panels and found A1 SolarStore while surfing the web. I ordered 13 pieces of REC 360W solar panels at a fairly reasonable price, and also ordered their liftgate service at checkout. everything was very easy and intuitive. I highly recommend A1 SolarStore!
Jesse Tang
Via Google
May 22, 2023
I recently purchased 10 pieces of Q CELLS 480W Solar Panels from A1 SolarStore. The site was incredibly easy to navigate and I found exactly what I wanted without any trouble. They had different payment options, which was great for me. Now I'm just counting down the days until my panels arrive. Overall, I will definitely be buying from them again.
Steve L
Via Google
May 22, 2023
Store was well organized, staff was super friendly and shipping was speedy.
Karen
Via Google
May 16, 2023
I have been looking for affordable, quality solar panels for a while! After some research I decided to purchase the Trina 390w solar panels. I loved the price and the customer service & decided to buy with a1solarstore. Even though there was a $275 shipping fee. Was worth it to me to receive the quality product in once piece. Payment processing took a while & could have gone faster - however, totally worth the wait!
Kara J
Via Google
May 9, 2023
The customer service at A1 solar is nothing short of amazing. A person can buy their equipment anywhere and receive that equipment with no support following whatsoever. A1 solar was with me all the way through the purchase process, the acquiring my panels at a distribution center, and finally giving me a discount for the pallet breakage charge because the pallet was already broken up. No other Solar company has given me such excellent customer service. Add that the prices are lower if not similar than the rest, buying from A1 solar is a real no brainer. I am very grateful and lucky to have found them!
Robert Sullivan
Via Google
Apr 27, 2023
The Silfab 490W Solar Panel (156 Cell SIL-490-HN) exceeded my expectations with its exceptional power output and sleek design. Its efficient monocrystalline cells make it a reliable and smart investment for any home. Highly recommended!
M
Via Google
Apr 25, 2023

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Solar laws, incentives and rebates in Michigan you need to know

Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Sell excess electricity with Net Metering Program

Solar laws in Michigan make Net Metering programs available to customers of investor-owned utilities and rural electric cooperatives. The program gives households an opportunity to send any excess electricity back to the grid instead of storing it with batteries.

When you sell your solar power to the utility, you receive credits that can be used to offset your next bills. In Michigan their value is equal to full retail electricity price for the systems with a capacity of 20 kW or less. Avoided cost rate is used for larger systems. The credits may be rolled over indefinitely, the companies neither retire nor purchase them.

Also, the utilities may not apply discriminatory rates to Net Metering customers. In Michigan, companies serving more than 1 million customers are required to supply a compatible meter if requested by a client. Application and interconnection review fees may not exceed $100.

Save additional $300 to $1,000 a year trading RECs

Renewable Energy Credits are certificates granted to any person or entity upon generation of each MWh of clean electricity. Unlike with Net Metering, you don’t need to sell any electricity to get credits. The value of RECs is always changing, which makes them similar to stock market assets. Based on the available data, selling RECs could mean anywhere from $300 to $1,000 annually for a 10 kW solar system.

To participate, you have to apply for approval to the Michigan Public Service Commission. After that, you can create a REC account with the Michigan Renewable Energy Certification System (MIRECS) to begin tracking and selling your credits. Keep in mind that in Michigan RECs have a lifetime of only three years.

Get a Michigan Saves loan at 3.99% interest rate to finance going solar

The Michigan Saves non-profit organisation offers loans to homeowners in Michigan who want to finance a PV system purchase and installation. The loan amount can vary from $1,000 to $100,000 and the maximum term length is 15 years. When taking a loan less or equal to $4,999, the term will be one year for every $1,000.

The loan is available for both primary and secondary residences and is compatible with PV systems between 1 and 20 kW. Your debt-to-income ratio must be lower than 50% and your credit score above 640. There is no prepayment penalty.

Install your solar panels in Michigan with no worries

It is legal to install solar panels on your house in Michigan. However, there is no statewide legislation that makes it unlawful to restrict installation of solar PV systems, so it’s best to contact your homeowners organisation (HOA) or study its declaration and rules to find out more. You may have to submit your project for approval before changing the exterior of your house. The board may ask you to hide the system from view, reduce the number of panels or just reject your proposal.

Solar panels help Michigan survive power outages

When it comes to natural disasters, Michigan is one of the safest states in the USA. It doesn’t mean that nothing ever happens in the Great Lakes State. Wildfires, storms and sometimes floods break the calm once in a while, interfering with both generating plants and power lines. Your PV modules are designed to handle most hurricanes, meaning you will have a supply of energy in case of a blackout. In 2021, severe storms damaged more than 2,000 power lines, leaving more than 700,000 customers across the state without electricity. Often, the necessary repairs take much more than a few hours, which adds to the list of reasons to go solar.

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