MICHIGAN
Solar in Michigan
With 170 sunny days per year, Michigan receives about 17% less sunshine than the U.S. average.* However, Michigan’s energy policies rank 13th in the nation, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).* Solar viability of Michigan buildings is 78%, which means that over three-quarters of the state’s residential, commercial, and governmental structures can accommodate solar panels and optimize a solar system for clean energy production.*
Solar potential in Michigan?
Michigan has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 4.5 hours of sunlight per day, which is more than many other states in the United States.
According to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the number of megawatts for Michigan’s solar installations ranks 26th in the U.S.* These installations provide 0.37% of the state’s electricity and can power 83,045 homes. Overall, Michigan has 11,844 solar installations, the most prominent being the Watervliet Solar Power and 1 MW, Domino Farms Solar. Additional information about other solar installations is on SEIA’s website.
Cost of solar in Michigan?
Even in the same state, home solar system costs can vary due to a range of factors, including:
Quality of the solar system
Roof angle
Homeowner’s energy needs
Roof space
Quality of the system’s warranty
To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.
In Michigan, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,650 to $16,650, or in other words, from $2.53 to $3.33 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Residents of Michigan pay more for electrical power than most Americans, ranking 10th in the nation for the average retail price of electricity to the residential sector. As of April 2021, statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that residents of Michigan pay an average price of nearly 18 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is 5 cents higher per kilowatt-hour than what half of the American states pay, on average.
Advantages?
Some of the most notable advantages include:
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar panels are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels can also help to make Michigan a more sustainable state.
State incentives: Michigan offers a number of incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. These incentives can include tax credits, rebates, and grants.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Michigan state policies?
These policies include:
Net metering: Michigan has a net metering program that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to the grid. This can offset the cost of electricity bills.
Property tax exemption: Michigan exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels.
SRECs: Michigan offers Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs can be sold to utilities or other entities, which can provide additional income for homeowners.
Michigan Solar Tax Credit: Michigan offers a 30% tax credit for the cost of solar panels. This tax credit is available for both residential and commercial solar projects.
Michigan Solar Renewable Energy Standard (SRES): Michigan has a SRES that requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. This standard includes solar energy, and it is expected to help drive demand for solar panels in the state.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Michigan? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Michigan, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!