Flint, MI
Solar in Flint
Flint homeowners are feeling the pinch with Michigan’s electricity rates 19% higher than in 2020, now at 19.29 cents per kWh—well above the national average. Exploring home solar panels offers a practical path to energy independence while potentially reducing monthly utility bills.
Despite Michigan ranking 28th nationally for residential solar installations, Flint residents have increasing opportunities to harness renewable energy, with federal incentives making solar more accessible than ever.
Key Takeaways
- Flint residents can save an average of $39,852 over 25 years with solar panels while protecting against Michigan’s electricity rates that exceed national averages by 17%.
- The 30% federal tax credit reduces the average cost of a medium-sized solar system in Flint from $20,340 to $14,238 after incentives.
- Solar panels work effectively in Flint despite northern latitude, with systems producing substantial energy year-round and especially during Michigan’s long summer days.
Solar Cost Calculator
Discover the true cost of solar installation in Flint, MI with our calculator powered by real, local data from neighborhoods like Carriage Town, Mott Park, and Grand Traverse. Make informed decisions about your clean energy future using actual installation costs from your community.
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Estimated Investment and Savings
Based on Palmetto Solar installations in Michigan. Current electricity rate: 19.3¢/kWh. Assumes 70% credit of retail rate.
Flint Electricity Prices
Flint residents face soaring electricity costs, with Michigan rates consistently exceeding the national average by nearly 17% in 2024.
Since 2021, Flint electricity rates have jumped from 17.5 to 19.3 cents per kWh—a concerning 10% increase in just three years, outpacing many household income growth rates.
Solar installation in Flint offers a practical solution to these rising costs, allowing homeowners to generate their own clean electricity and significantly reduce dependence on increasingly expensive grid power.
By investing in solar energy today, Flint families can lock in their electricity costs for 25+ years, creating predictable energy expenses while conventional utility rates continue their upward climb.
Price of Energy: Michigan vs National Average
Flint Area Utility Providers
In Flint, MI, residents primarily rely on two utility companies: Consumers Energy (18.8¢/kWh) and DTE (19.7¢/kWh). Both providers’ 2023 rates exceed the national average of 16.0¢/kWh, with DTE being notably higher.
Flint’s electricity costs align with Michigan’s state average of 18.80¢/kWh. These elevated rates stem from aging infrastructure maintenance, transmission costs, and the gradual transition from coal to cleaner energy sources across the state.
Solar energy offers Flint homeowners a stable alternative to rising utility rates. With federal tax incentives available in 2024, many residents find that investing in solar panels provides long-term savings while contributing to Michigan’s renewable energy goals.
Flint Utilities Electricity Rates
Michigan Solar Incentives
Flint homeowners can significantly reduce solar installation costs through available solar incentives in Michigan, including federal tax credits and state-specific programs.
Michigan offers property tax exemptions for solar installations, protecting homeowners from increased property taxes. Additionally, the state’s Net Billing program allows you to receive credits for excess electricity your system produces.
These incentives can change over time, so researching current offerings is essential. Contact solar professionals to understand how these programs can maximize your investment in clean energy.
Save an average of
$6,102
in solar rebates in Michigan
| INCENTIVE | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit | Federal tax credit | A federal tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed | Learn More |
| Property Tax Exemption | State tax exemption | Exempts your solar system’s added value from property tax assessment. Annual savings based on local tax rates. | Learn More |
The Residential Clean Energy Credit lets people claim a tax credit worth 30% the cost of a solar panel system in the year it’s installed. The credit can only be used against taxes you owe or have already paid that year, but any excess credit can be rolled over to future years.
The credit is broadly available, though there are a few restrictions — you must own the panels and they must be on a house you live in — so be sure to consult a tax professional about your situation.
Michigan’s Property Tax Exemption for solar energy systems allows municipalities to exempt certain renewable energy installations from property taxes. This incentive is established under Public Act 102 of 2022, which gives local authorities the power to create ordinances that determine how solar installations are assessed for property tax purposes.
While this legislation provides the framework for property tax exemptions, the specific financial benefits vary by municipality as each local government can implement different versions of the exemption. Homeowners should check with their local tax assessor to determine if their area offers this exemption and what percentage of the solar system’s value might be exempt from property taxes. There are no statewide deadlines for this program, but local jurisdictions may have their own application timelines. Before installing a solar system, it’s recommended to confirm with your municipality whether they have adopted this exemption and what documentation you’ll need to qualify.
Michigan’s Distributed Generation Program, also known as Net Billing, is a solar incentive program that credits homeowners for excess electricity their solar panels export to the grid. Unlike traditional net metering which credits exports at the full retail rate, this program credits exported electricity at a lower rate that varies by utility. When your solar system produces more electricity than your home uses, the excess is sent to the grid and you receive a credit on your bill.
The credit rates vary by utility company: DTE Energy customers receive approximately 8.5 cents per kWh during off-peak hours and around 14 cents during summer peak hours (4-7pm). Consumers Energy provides between 9-16 cents per kWh depending on season and time of day, with highest values during summer peak (2-7pm). Indiana-Michigan Power offers 12.4 cents per kWh, while Lansing Board of Water & Light provides about 6-10 cents per kWh plus an additional 1.3 cents for the first 5 years. All utilities allow excess credits to roll over month-to-month as dollar amounts that can be applied to future bills.
This program is available to residential solar customers connected to participating utilities in Michigan. There are no specific system size limitations mentioned, but your system must be properly interconnected to the grid according to your utility’s requirements. The program operates on a monthly settlement cycle, meaning your imports and exports are calculated each month to determine your bill.
An important consideration is that consuming solar electricity directly in your home (rather than exporting it) provides the greatest financial benefit, as you avoid purchasing electricity at the full retail rate. Time-of-use rates may also affect your savings, so understanding your utility’s peak hours can help maximize the value of your solar investment.
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.
Despite Flint’s northern latitude and snowy winters, solar panels can still produce substantial energy throughout the year, especially during long summer days when sunlight is abundant.
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 Installations in Flint
Discover Flint’s solar revolution! We’ve mapped every solar installation in the U.S., revealing which neighborhoods in Flint are embracing clean energy. Explore this interactive heatmap to see how your community is part of the growing solar movement in Michigan.
Leasing Solar Panels
In Flint, MI, Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through both major utility providers: DTE Energy and Consumers Energy. With a PPA, instead of paying a fixed monthly amount like with a lease, you simply pay for the electricity your solar panels produce at a predetermined rate per kilowatt-hour.
This financing option eliminates the upfront investment of purchasing solar panels while still reducing your electricity costs. The PPA rate is typically lower than utility rates, creating immediate savings without maintenance responsibilities or equipment ownership concerns.
For Flint residents looking to go solar without the initial investment, Palmetto’s LightReach program offers a hassle-free solution with professional maintenance included, allowing you to benefit from clean energy while we handle everything else.
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 financial sense in Flint despite Michigan’s northern location. With electricity rates 17% above the national average and the 30% federal tax credit, most homeowners see positive returns.
Flint receives sufficient sunlight to generate meaningful electricity, especially during summer months. A typical system pays for itself in about 11 years and saves approximately $40,000 over its lifetime.
No, Flint does not have traditional net metering. Instead, Michigan utilities offer a Net Billing program where excess electricity exported to the grid is credited at a lower rate than retail.
For Flint residents, DTE Energy credits exports at approximately 8.5¢/kWh during off-peak hours and 14¢/kWh during summer peak periods (4-7pm). These credits can roll over month-to-month as dollar amounts applied to future bills.
Yes, solar panels typically increase home values in Flint. According to Zillow research, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar.
For the median Flint home value of around $90,000, this could represent an added value of about $3,700. This increase reflects buyers’ recognition of lower future utility costs and environmental benefits that come with solar-equipped properties.
In Flint, MI, the average cost of a medium-sized solar system (6.38 kW) is around $20,340 before incentives. After applying the 30% federal tax credit, the final cost drops to approximately $14,238.
System costs vary based on home size, energy needs, and roof characteristics. Small systems (5.10 kW) typically cost around $11,721 after incentives, while larger systems (9.13 kW) run about $19,653 after incentives.
Yes, solar is financially worthwhile for most Flint homeowners. With electricity rates 17% above the national average and continuing to rise, a typical solar system pays for itself in about 11 years while saving approximately $40,000 over its 25-year lifetime.
The 30% federal tax credit significantly reduces upfront costs, and Michigan’s property tax exemption protects homeowners from increased property taxes on their solar investment.
As a national solar company with strong local presence in Michigan, we at Palmetto are proud to offer quality solar installations to Flint residents. With 826 Michigan installations since 2020, we understand the region’s unique needs.
Our comprehensive approach includes competitive financing options, professional installation through our trusted network, and ongoing system monitoring to ensure optimal performance for Flint homeowners.