Top 7 Best Solar Companies in Michigan (2024 Reviews)

In this guide to Michigan’s best solar companies, you’ll learn:

  • What are the best solar installers in MI?
  • How can I save money on solar conversion in MI?
  • What are the most important traits to look for in a MI solar company?
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Michigan is an excellent place to go solar, primarily because the electricity rates being high translate to above-average energy savings with a photovoltaic (PV) system. The average solar system in Michigan pays for itself and then provides over $32,400 in net savings thereafter. Unlike some states, the challenge isn’t deciding whether or not to go solar; it’s choosing a reputable company to handle the installation.

In this guide, we’ll be sharing what we believe to be the best solar companies in Michigan. We’ll explain why we’ve chosen each one, why we feel comfortable recommending them to you and what we suggest looking for in a solar provider in case you decide to continue your search for the best solar contractor in your area.

What Are the Best Solar Companies in Michigan?

We’ve put a lot of time and effort into researching local solar installers and seeing where they excel and where they fall flat. Below are what we believe are the best solar companies in Michigan overall:

Compare Michigan’s Top-Rated Solar Providers

Our top recommendations include SunPower and Windfree Solar, but we do feel that any of the companies mentioned above will be able to meet your needs and your expectations. We’ll provide a side-by-side look at these two companies and our other recommendations in the table below.

Solar Providers Superlative Our Score Avg Cost Warranty Financing Options Get Quote
SunPower Best National Provider 5/5 $$$$ Minimum of 25 years for equipment, workmanship and production Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Blue Raven Solar Best Financing Options 4.5/5 $$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship Cash and solar loans Get Quote
Tesla Best Technology 4.5/5 $$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan, solar lease, PPA Get Quote
Windfree Solar Best Regional Provider 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 15 years for workmanship Cash and solar loans Get Quote
Stellar Solar Most Local Experience 4.5/5 $$$$ 25 years for equipment, performance and workmanship Cash, solar loan Get Quote
Michigan Solar Solutions Best Local Installer 4/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 5 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan Get Quote
Strawberry Solar Best Customer Service 4.5/5 $$$ 25 years for equipment and performance; 10 years for workmanship Cash, solar loan Get Quote
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Blue Raven Solar

Best Solar Financing

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Read full review now

Pros

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation

Cons

  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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Tesla Energy

Best Technology

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Read full review now

Pros

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market

Cons

  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer
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Windfree Solar

Outstanding Local Installer

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Excellent reputation
  • Outstanding workmanship

Cons

  • Slightly limited service area
  • May be overqualified for residential systems
  • No leases or PPAs
Badge icon

Stellar Solar

Outstanding Local Installer

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Educational, no-pressure sales approach
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers
  • Representatives are experts on local policies

Cons

  • Slightly limited service offerings
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Michigan Solar Solutions

Solar Veteran

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Great warranty coverage
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Offers products from leading manufacturers

Cons

  • Slightly limited service offerings
  • No leases or PPAs
Badge icon

Strawberry Solar

Outstanding Local Installer

Local Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Outstanding customer service
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Educational, no-pressure sales approach

Cons

  • Limited warranty coverage
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Limited brands of solar equipment available

Watch Below: What Should You Expect When Going Solar in Michigan?

How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company in Michigan

houses in a neighborhood with solar panels

The average Michigander spends around $25,340 installing PV panels, or closer to $17,738 after the federal tax credit. These numbers are based on the average cost per watt of photovoltaic (PV) equipment in Michigan — $3.62 — and the average system size requirement to offset utility bills — 7 kilowatts (kW).

While this total price is lower than the national average, it’s still quite expensive and can be prohibitively costly for many residents. Naturally, most prospective solar customers look for ways to save money when converting to clean energy in MI. Below are some of our tips for saving on your solar system, and we’ll expand on these in the following sections.

  • Take advantage of incentives
  • Opt for high-efficiency panels
  • Install solar batteries

Take Advantage of All the Solar Incentives You Can

One of the best ways to save money on your solar conversion is to take advantage of as many solar perks and rebates in Michigan as possible. Solar benefit programs from the federal government, state government, local municipalities and individual utility providers can all help reduce your up-front and long-term costs.

The table below provides a quick look at the solar incentives that are currently available in MI.

Incentive Description
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) This is a credit to your income tax burden for 30% of your entire system cost, including panels, batteries and inverters. In MI, the credit amount averages around $7,602.
Alternative Energy Property Tax Exemption This is a property tax exemption for your PV equipment, which means your panels, batteries, inverters and other components will not cause your assessed value to go up. This helps avoid hikes in property taxes after solar conversion.
MI Local PACE Program MI provides Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to qualifying homeowners to finance conversion costs. The loans include low interest rates and affordable down payment requirements.
Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program This is another loan program that helps keep solar financing as accessible as possible. The program works with local lenders and installers to keep interest rates and down payment requirements to a minimum.

Choose High-Efficiency Panels

If you get a quote from a few different installers, you might find some providers’ estimates to be thousands of dollars below those of others. One reason for this could be lower equipment costs, specifically for lower-quality panels. PV panels with low efficiency ratings are cheaper, but they generate less electricity in all conditions.

MI residents see just 170 days of sunlight per year, which is well below the national average of 205.5 A lower sunlight availability means panels have less opportunity to generate electricity and offset energy bills, which means lower savings in the long run.

We strongly recommend choosing high-efficiency solar panels, like Maxeon panels, in MI. Although they might cost more, they’re more likely to pay for themselves more quickly and provide greater energy savings in the long run.

Install Solar Batteries

Solar batteries are a confusing option for many solar customers, and for good reason. They add thousands of dollars to your solar panel installation costs, and they’re often just billed as back-up energy sources in case of power outages. However, they can be quite valuable for many MI residents for two reasons.

First, you should consider that MI is ranked in the top five states for power outages.6 That means having batteries will allow you to keep your power on despite extreme weather conditions causing frequent blackouts.

Second, net metering, which lets you overproduce energy with your panels and use the excess to pay down future electricity bills, is not mandated in Michigan. Since many customers will be without net metering, they’ll have to pull from the grid at night and during cloudy days when production naturally drops.

Those natural dips in production will eat into your savings because the cost of energy in MI is significantly higher than in the rest of the country. Even those who do have access to net metering usually get credited at a below-retail rate per kWh, so solar batteries can help maximize savings over time.

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value in Michigan?

Yes! Solar panels do add value to your home in MI — often close to what you pay for them. Reports from Zillow suggest that homes with solar sell for around 4.1% more than those without solar systems.7 With an average home value in MI of around $232,380, that’s an added value of around $9,527.8

When you consider that the average system in the area — after the ITC — costs just $17,738, converting to renewable energy suddenly becomes a very valuable investment. Plus, home prices in The Great Lakes State have risen over 10% in the past year, so your Michigan solar investment could become even more worth it if that trend continues.

It’s worth mentioning that solar conversion is most valuable in areas where home values are the highest. These include:

  • Ann Arbor
  • Birmingham
  • Troy
  • Rochester
  • Novi
  • Farmington Hills
  • East Grand Rapids

Should Michigan Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer or DIY?

DIY solar installation seems like an appealing option for many homeowners because of the relatively low cost compared to a professional solar project. However, we believe it’s a much better option to pay a premium to have a professional solar installation company or electrician do the work for you.

DIY solar installation can help save money but might not always be worthwhile
Credit: Bill Mead / Unsplash

There are a few reasons for this, including:

  • High risk of roof leaks
  • Lower panel efficiency with DIY solar kits
  • Less appealing warranties with DIY panels

We’ll explain the importance of these factors below.

DIY Installations Lead to More Issues

As you might expect, installing solar panels yourself will naturally leave your home at greater risk of roof leaks. Unfortunately, even professional installers can’t always prevent leaks resulting from the roof shingle penetrations required for solar conversion.

DIYers are far more likely to make mistakes that lead to leaks and eventual water damage. While you might save money installing solar panels yourself, the savings can quickly be offset by repairs required if you make errors while installing your panels.

DIY Solar Panels Have a Lower Efficiency Rating

As we mentioned above, MI receives far less sunlight than most states in the U.S., which means residents need to maximize panel efficiency to offset energy bills. Choosing a brand with a higher efficiency rating almost always leads to a faster panel payback period and greater savings in the long run.

Most DIY panels have an efficiency rating well below the industry-leading efficiencies of brands like Maxeon, Tesla and Panasonic. Again, you will spend less installing DIY panels, but you may not save as much over time as you would by having a professional solar panel company install top-quality residential solar panels.

Your Warranty Coverage Will Be Less Appealing

Solar power systems in MI will always be at elevated risk of damage because of the severe weather that frequents the area. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can put panels at risk of serious damage, which could necessitate expensive repairs or replacements.

With professionally installed panels, you can get solar warranties that average around 25 years for damage. DIY panel kits more often top out at around five years, which provides far less peace of mind.

DIY solar panels cost less, but having to replace damaged panels could result in overall higher solar energy system costs in the long run in MI.

What Should Michiganders Look For in a Solar Installer?

man installing solar panels on roof

There are several important things to look for in an installer if you’re planning to go solar in MI. We’ll list some of the most important factors below and explain why each is important in the sections that follow.

  • Panel brands offered
  • Efficiency warranties
  • Physical warranties
  • Solar services provided

Panel Brands Offered

MI receives around 20% fewer sunny days per year than most other states and sees a relatively low sunlight intensity, given its northern location, so most residents will want to maximize panel efficiency to ensure they offset as much of their electric bills as possible. This is especially important given that the energy costs in MI are well above average in the U.S.

It’s worth looking at the panel brands offered before choosing an installer. Some companies keep installation costs down by providing below-average equipment brands. We recommend choosing a company that has leading brands like Maxeon/SunPower, Tesla, Panasonic, LG, REC, Qcells, Trina and Canadian Solar.

Efficiency Warranty Coverage

Next, we recommend prioritizing companies that offer robust efficiency warranties. Since sun availability is relatively low in MI, you want panels that are guaranteed to maintain peak production for years to come.

Efficiency warranties do just that — they guarantee a minimal drop in solar panel efficiency over the warranty period. Some of the best panel manufacturers guarantee no lower than 80% efficiency after 25 years.

Physical Damage Warranties

The extreme weather in MI and the above-average tree coverage both put MI PV panels at an elevated risk of damage.9 We suggest looking for companies that provide a lengthy physical damage warranty. This will help you avoid repair and replacement costs after installation.

Solar Services Provided

Finally, we suggest looking for a company that has a good selection of solar services. Most solar companies will install panels, but not all of them will also offer batteries, EV chargers and other solar equipment or energy efficiency upgrades.

As mentioned above, solar batteries can be a great option in MI. They add quite a lot to your total system cost, but they help you maximize the value of your energy production since the state doesn’t mandate net metering.

Additionally, batteries can help maintain electricity through the frequent power outages in MI, providing you with peace of mind regardless of the weather conditions.

Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Solar Companies in Michigan

Since Michigan is home to around 80 solar installers, we took a scientific approach to ranking the best solar companies in the state. We used six main criteria and researched how each installer in the area performed according to each. We then weighted those factors based on how important we believed each one was. We’ll explain our process below.

  • Local reputation and reviews (20%): Since there are so many companies to choose from in Michigan, our first order of business was to rule out providers that are just in the industry to turn a profit and take advantage of the surging demand in the area. We read through dozens of customer reviews for each installer to see how and where each one came up short. We used sites like BBB and Google Reviews and looked at both positive and negative reviews to see how each installer performed overall.
  • Pricing and financing (20%): The cost per watt for PV equipment in Michigan — $3.62 — is well above the industry average of $3.33. We prioritize companies that help keep clean energy more affordable by maintaining average or even below-average pricing for panels, batteries and other components. We also prefer companies that accept multiple payment options. Even though leases and PPAs are less beneficial, they can be helpful for customers who can’t afford a cash purchase or qualify for a loan.
  • Services offered (20%): We like to promote companies that offer a wide range of services that allow customers to customize their solar setups. Batteries, in particular, are often a necessity in Michigan, where net metering isn’t mandated on a statewide level. We also prefer installers that offer other add-on options and services, like EV chargers, energy efficiency upgrades and more.
  • Warranty coverage (20%): Michigan sees above-average amounts of snowfall and severe thunderstorms every year. The snow can expose roof penetrations to moisture that can promote leaking, and intense winds can put excess forces on panels or put them at risk of damage from fallen tree limbs. We rank companies higher that include robust warranty coverage with their systems for these reasons. Specifically, we look for above-average labor warranties to help reduce the risk of out-of-pocket costs for repairs or replacements.
  • Company experience (10%): The local solar industry in Michigan is really starting to take off, and we’ve seen less reputable installers pop up to take advantage of the demand. New companies aren’t always less reliable, but they are more likely to go out of business, in which case your warranties could be voided. We like to promote companies that have at least ten years of experience to help avoid issues like this.
  • Brand quality (10%): Finally, we look at the brands of solar equipment each installer offers. We like to see a nice range of brands that include affordable options and high-performance options. This helps the company appeal to a wider customer base.

Read More About Going Solar in Michigan

 

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.

FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Michigan

Below, we’ll include our responses to some of the most common questions we see about converting to solar in The Great Lakes State.

Blog author image
Article author
Dan Simms is an experienced writer with a passion for renewable energy. As a solar and EV advocate, much of his work has focused on the potential of solar power and deregulated energy, but he also writes on related topics, like real estate and economics. In his free time — when he's not checking his own home's solar production — he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing.
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Expert reviewer
Tori is an editor, writer, rock climber and travel enthusiast. A native New Yorker, she graduated from the College of Saint Rose with a degree in communications and journalism. Before joining EcoWatch, Tori helped to oversee communication strategies for the City of Philadelphia. Her experience also includes communications work in the nonprofit and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering political, environmental and social issues in New York's Hudson Valley. In her spare time, Tori can be found in the mountains climbing boulders, traveling to new cities or at one of Philadelphia's many music venues.

Comparing authorized solar partners

EcoWatch rating
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
  • 4.5
    • Industry-leading in-house financing
    • Competitive pricing
    • Excellent reputation
    • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
    A+
    Best Solar Financing
    2014
    Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower
    25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee

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