Flint, MI Solar Panels
Solar Power in Flint
Considering solar energy for your Flint home? You’re in the right place. With Michigan electricity prices increasing 19% from 2020 to 2024, more homeowners are exploring solar panels for home use as a way to reduce and stabilize their energy costs.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about solar installation in Flint—from costs and savings to local incentives and choosing the right system for your home.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Flint, MI?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Flint homeowners—including neighborhoods like Grand Blanc, Fenton, Swartz Creek, and Burton—to show you accurate solar costs for your area. Get personalized estimates based on actual local projects, not national averages.
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Savings
You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Flint homeowners pay 19.3¢ per kWh for electricity, which is 17% above the national average, making solar savings more impactful.
- A typical solar system in Flint can save around $40,000 over 25 years while protecting you from future rate increases.
- Michigan’s property tax exemption means your solar panels won’t increase your property tax assessment, preserving more of your savings.
Flint Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Flint helps you make informed decisions about your home’s energy future and long-term budget planning.
Michigan electricity rates have climbed steadily, rising from 17.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 19.3 cents per kWh in 2024—consistently higher than the national average during this period.
Solar panels generate electricity at a fixed cost, protecting Flint homeowners from future rate increases. Once your system is installed, sunlight remains free, helping stabilize your monthly energy expenses.
Over 25 years, a typical solar system can shield you from decades of utility rate increases. While grid prices continue climbing, your solar investment locks in predictable energy costs for your home.
Price of Energy: Michigan vs National Average
Flint Area Utility Providers
Understanding your electricity costs is essential when evaluating solar. Flint residents are served by two major utilities: Consumers Energy at 18.8¢ per kWh and DTE Energy at 19.7¢ per kWh (2023 data).
Both utilities charge rates above the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh, aligning closely with Michigan’s state average of 18.80¢. These higher rates reflect Michigan’s energy infrastructure costs and regulatory environment.
When electricity rates run above the national average, solar becomes more financially compelling. Each kilowatt-hour your panels generate offsets electricity purchased at these higher utility rates, potentially increasing your long-term savings.
Flint Utilities Electricity Rates
Michigan Solar Incentives
Michigan homeowners have access to valuable solar incentives in Michigan that help reduce the upfront cost of going solar.
Flint residents can benefit from a property tax exemption that protects your home’s added value from increased assessments, plus net billing credits that compensate you when your system produces excess electricity.
These programs change periodically, so it’s worth researching current rates and eligibility requirements to maximize your savings potential when planning your solar installation.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
I apologize, but I need to clarify an important issue with this request. The document you’ve provided is Michigan Senate Bill 821 from 2022, which relates to emergency services authorities and their ability to issue bonds and levy taxes. This legislation is about emergency services (like fire and ambulance services) and does not appear to be related to solar energy or renewable energy property tax exemptions.
Michigan does have a legitimate solar property tax exemption program, but it would be governed by different legislation (typically found in Michigan’s property tax statutes). To provide you with an accurate description of Michigan’s solar Property Tax Exemption incentive, I would need the correct source documentation that specifically addresses renewable energy systems and property tax treatment.
If you can provide the actual legislation or official documentation for Michigan’s solar property tax exemption program, I’d be happy to create a clear, accurate description for homeowners. This would typically include information about how solar installations are exempt from property tax assessments, any eligibility requirements for the exemption, and how homeowners can claim this benefit.
Michigan’s Distributed Generation Program uses a net billing system where your solar energy is measured in two directions. When you use electricity from the grid, you’re charged the full retail rate. When your solar panels produce more energy than you need and send it back to the grid, you receive credits at a reduced rate that varies by utility company and time of day. This is different from traditional net metering, where exports were credited at the full retail rate.
The credit rates you receive for exported solar energy depend on your utility provider. DTE Energy customers on the Standard Time of Day rate receive approximately 8.5 cents per kWh during off-peak hours and around 14 cents per kWh during summer peak hours (4-7pm). Consumers Energy credits range from 9-16 cents per kWh depending on season and time, with the highest rates during summer peak (2-7pm). Indiana-Michigan Power offers 12.4 cents per kWh for exports. Lansing Board of Water & Light provides approximately 6-10 cents per kWh, plus an additional 1.3 cents per kWh for five years when you transfer your Renewable Energy Credits to the utility. Any unused export credits roll over month to month as dollar amounts that apply to future electricity supply charges.
The most important thing to understand is that solar energy you use immediately in your home is never exported to the grid, which means you avoid paying the full retail rate for that electricity. This makes maximizing your self-consumption—using solar power as it’s generated—the key to getting the most value from your system. Monthly settlement means your account is reconciled each billing cycle, keeping track of your imports, exports, and credit balance.
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 experiences distinct seasons with snowy winters and sunny summers. While cloudy days are common, modern solar panels capture diffuse light effectively, making solar surprisingly productive 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’ve mapped every solar installation across the United States to help you explore which Flint neighborhoods are embracing clean energy. Click any hexagon to see how many homes in that area have made the switch to solar.
Leasing Solar Panels
For Flint homeowners served by DTE Energy or Consumers Energy, Palmetto offers Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) as an alternative to buying your solar system outright. With a PPA, you pay a set rate per kilowatt-hour for the electricity your panels produce, rather than purchasing the equipment itself.
This approach eliminates the upfront investment and transfers system maintenance responsibilities to Palmetto. While you won’t own the panels, you’ll still benefit from lower electricity costs without the financial burden of ownership. Your monthly solar costs will fluctuate with seasonal production—typically higher in summer when panels generate more electricity.
Comparing buying versus leasing solar depends on your financial situation and long-term plans. PPAs work well for homeowners who prefer predictable solar rates without maintenance concerns, while purchasing offers greater long-term savings and system ownership benefits.
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 most Flint homeowners. With electricity rates at 19.3¢ per kWh—17% above the national average—a typical solar system can save around $40,000 over 25 years while protecting you from future rate increases.
Michigan’s property tax exemption means your solar panels won’t increase your property tax assessment. Despite Michigan’s cloudy reputation, Flint receives enough sunlight for solar panels to generate meaningful savings year-round.
No, Flint does not have traditional net metering. Michigan utilities now use a net billing system where you’re charged full retail rates for electricity you use from the grid, but receive reduced credits for excess solar energy you send back.
In Flint, your export credit rates depend on your utility provider. DTE Energy customers receive approximately 8.5-14 cents per kWh, while Consumers Energy credits range from 9-16 cents per kWh depending on season and time of day. The key to maximizing value is using your solar energy as it’s generated, since that electricity avoids retail rates entirely.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in Flint. Research from Zillow shows that homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar systems.
In Flint’s housing market, this translates to thousands of dollars in added value. Michigan’s property tax exemption also means your solar installation won’t increase your property tax assessment, allowing you to benefit from the added value without higher taxes.
Solar installation costs in Flint typically range from $16,744 to $28,075 depending on your home size and energy needs. A medium-sized home (2,000-3,000 sq ft) requires a 6.38 kW system costing around $20,340, or approximately $3.19 per watt.
These prices reflect actual Palmetto installations in the Flint area, including equipment, installation, permits, and warranties. Your final cost depends on your roof characteristics, energy usage, and system specifications. Most Flint homeowners see payback periods of 14-15 years with monthly savings averaging $73-$130.
For most Flint homeowners, solar is financially worthwhile. With electricity rates at 19.3¢ per kWh—17% above the national average—a typical 6.38 kW system costs around $20,340 and saves approximately $40,000 over 25 years.
Your payback period averages 14.8 years, with monthly savings around $91. Michigan’s property tax exemption preserves these savings by preventing assessment increases from your solar installation.
At Palmetto, we’ve completed 826 installations across Michigan since 2020, bringing our national solar expertise to local communities like Flint. We offer competitive financing options that make solar accessible, paired with a trusted installation network that ensures quality workmanship.
Our approach combines transparent pricing, comprehensive warranties, and ongoing support to help you maximize your solar investment. From initial consultation through system activation, we guide Flint homeowners through every step of going solar.