Flint, MI Solar Panels
Solar Power in Flint
If you’re a Flint homeowner thinking about solar, you’re in the right place. Michigan electricity rates have climbed 19% since 2020 — and they’re already above the national average. Understanding your options now can help you make a more informed decision about your home’s energy future.
This guide walks you through how home solar panels work, what installation looks like in Flint, and what to realistically expect from the process.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Flint, MI?
Based on real installations across Flint and nearby communities like Grand Blanc, Burton, and Flushing, this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar could cost — and save — for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Flint electricity rates are above the national average — and have risen over 10% since 2021, making solar a smart way to take control of your energy costs.
- A typical Flint home could save around $40,000 over 25 years with solar — and leasing options are available with no upfront cost starting at just $73/month.
- Michigan offers low-interest solar financing through the Michigan Saves program, with loans up to $50,000 and terms up to 15 years to help cover installation costs.
Flint Electricity Prices
Electricity in Flint costs more than most Americans pay — and that gap has been growing steadily since 2021.
Michigan’s average electricity rate rose from 17.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 19.3 cents in 2024 — a jump of more than 10%. That’s consistently higher than the national average, which reached 16.5 cents in 2024.
Solar panel installation in Flint gives homeowners a way to generate their own power, reducing how much electricity they need to buy from the grid each month — and softening the impact of future rate increases.
Over time, that independence from the grid adds up. Homeowners who go solar lock in more predictable energy costs, making it easier to plan ahead — regardless of where utility rates go next.
Price of Energy: Michigan vs National Average
Flint Area Utility Providers
Flint residents are primarily served by two utilities: Consumers Energy and DTE Energy. Based on 2023 data — the most recent available — here’s how their electricity rates compare to state and national averages.
Both utilities exceed the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh. Michigan’s aging grid infrastructure and transmission costs contribute to rates that run higher than much of the country.
When electricity costs more per kWh, the potential value of generating your own solar power at home grows. For many Flint homeowners, that math is worth understanding before making any energy decisions.
Flint Utilities Electricity Rates
Michigan Solar Incentives
Michigan homeowners have access to several solar incentives in Michigan that can help reduce the cost of solar installation in Flint, MI.
The most broadly available option for Flint residents is the Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program, which offers low-interest financing for residential solar — with loan amounts up to $50,000 and terms up to 15 years.
Note that the federal residential solar tax credit is no longer available as of 2026. For those exploring solar leasing, Palmetto’s LightReach program handles the commercial tax credit and passes savings through as lower monthly payments, simplifying the process.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program | Rebate | Michigan Saves offers low-interest financing for residential solar installations, with loan amounts from $1,000 to $50,000 and terms up to 15 years at rates as low as 4.44% APR. | |
| Lean & Green Michigan PACE Financing (Commercial Solar) | Rebate | Michigan’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program allows commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily property owners to finance solar installations with no upfront cost, repaid over up to 25 years through their property tax bill. |
Michigan Saves is a nonprofit green bank that offers affordable home improvement loans specifically for energy upgrades, including solar panel installations. Homeowners can borrow between $1,000 and $50,000 with repayment terms of up to 15 years. Interest rates range from 4.44% to 7.90% APR, with most customers financing at approximately 5.50% APR — well below typical personal loan or credit card rates.
Unlike some financing programs, Michigan Saves loans are unsecured, meaning your home is not used as collateral. The program works with a network of approved lenders and solar contractors across Michigan, making it accessible to homeowners throughout the state regardless of their utility provider.
This financing option is particularly valuable for homeowners in Flint who want to own their solar system outright (to maximize incentive eligibility) but need help covering upfront costs. Owning the system — rather than leasing — ensures eligibility for incentives like the Michigan property tax exemption and any applicable utility rebates.
Lean & Green Michigan administers the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing Program, which enables commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily property owners in Michigan to finance solar PV installations with no upfront out-of-pocket costs. Repayment is structured as an assessment on the property tax bill, spread over a term of up to 25 years, making large solar projects financially accessible without requiring traditional bank financing.
PACE financing is particularly advantageous because the repayment obligation is tied to the property rather than the individual owner, which can make it easier to transfer with a property sale. Eligible properties include commercial buildings, industrial facilities, agricultural operations, and multifamily housing. Note that this program is not available for single-family residential homeowners.
Business and property owners in Flint interested in PACE financing should contact Lean & Green Michigan to assess project eligibility, review current financing terms, and begin the application process. PACE can be combined with federal tax incentives and utility rebates to further reduce the net cost of a commercial solar installation.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Michigan incentives.
Get a Free QuoteFlint Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Flint gets cold, cloudy winters, but its sunny summers balance things out. Like Boston or Seattle, the right solar system can still make Flint a surprisingly strong producer year-round.
Solar Production in Flint by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Flint
We mapped every solar installation across the U.S. to show you what’s happening right in your backyard. Explore the map below to see which Flint neighborhoods are going solar. Click any hexagon to see how many of your neighbors have already made the switch!
Leasing Solar Panels
If you’re a Flint homeowner served by DTE Energy or Consumers Energy, Palmetto’s LightReach program offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) — a straightforward alternative to paying the full cost of a solar system upfront.
With a solar PPA, you don’t purchase the panels — Palmetto does. Instead, you agree to buy the electricity your system produces at a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because solar panels generate more power in summer than winter, your monthly solar bill will vary slightly with the seasons — but your annual savings typically mirror what you’d see with a fixed monthly lease. Either way, you avoid a large upfront investment and Palmetto handles all system maintenance and monitoring on your behalf.
Compared to a cash purchase, a PPA means no out-of-pocket costs, no loan to manage, and no repair bills if something goes wrong. Palmetto owns the system and keeps it running. If you’d like to understand the full difference between these options before deciding, this guide on buying vs. leasing solar is a helpful place to start.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense for many Flint homeowners. Michigan electricity rates have climbed over 10% since 2021 and sit above the national average at 19.3¢/kWh. A typical Flint home could save around $40,000 over 25 years with solar, and Flint averages 4.4 peak sun hours per day — enough to generate meaningful savings year-round.
Upfront cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease program lets Flint homeowners go solar with no money down, starting at just $73/month, with savings beginning from day one.
Flint does not have traditional net metering. Most Flint residents are served by DTE Energy or Consumers Energy, both of which use a Net Billing (Export Credit) program instead. Under this structure, electricity you import from the grid is billed at the full retail rate, while excess solar energy you export is credited at a lower rate — roughly 8.5–14¢/kWh for DTE and 9–16¢/kWh for Consumers Energy, depending on time of day and season.
The good news is that unused export credits roll over month-to-month as a dollar amount and can be applied to future supply charges. This means solar energy you use directly in your home — before it ever reaches the grid — delivers the greatest value, since it offsets electricity you’d otherwise buy at the full retail rate.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Flint. A Zillow study found that homes with solar panels sell for about 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $150,000 home in Flint, that could translate to roughly $6,000 in added value.
It’s worth noting that this benefit typically applies to owned systems, not leased panels. If you purchase your solar system outright, the added home value is generally recognized by buyers and appraisers alike.
For Flint homeowners, the most accessible way to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a low fixed monthly payment starting at just $73/month for a typical home. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
If you prefer to own your system outright, a cash purchase for an average Flint home runs around $20,340. Note that the federal 30% residential solar tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate based on your home size.
For many Flint homeowners, solar can be worth it financially — especially with Michigan electricity rates above the national average at 19.3¢/kWh and rising. A typical Flint home could save around $40,000 over 25 years with solar.
The easiest way to see immediate savings is through a LightReach lease. With no upfront investment, your monthly lease payment — starting at just $73/month — is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning savings start on day one. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket.
Palmetto Solar is a strong choice for Flint homeowners. We’re a national company with a local presence — completing 826 installations across Michigan since 2020. We offer some of the most flexible financing options available, including our LightReach lease with no upfront cost starting at just $73/month.
Beyond financing, our vetted install network ensures quality workmanship, and we handle everything from permitting to maintenance. Whether you’re looking to lease or purchase, we make going solar in Flint straightforward and accessible.
Palmetto’s LightReach is an all-inclusive solar lease — one monthly payment covers your system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. There is no upfront cost. For a typical 6.38 kW system in Flint, MI, the estimated monthly payment is approximately $73/month.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments. For most Flint homeowners, that $73/month lease payment is less than their current electricity bill — meaning savings start on day one.