Flint, MI Solar Panels
Solar Power in Flint
Michigan electricity prices have climbed 19% since 2020. At 19.29 cents per kWh, Flint residents pay well above the national average — and many are turning to solar to change that.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about solar panels for your home — from how the technology works to what installation looks like right here in Flint. Let’s break it all down.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Flint, MI?
Based on real solar installations across Flint and nearby communities like Grand Blanc, Burton, and Flushing, this calculator gives you an honest, localized estimate of what solar panels 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 have climbed 10% since 2021 — reaching 19.3¢/kWh — making solar a smart way to gain control over your monthly energy costs.
- A typical Flint home can save around $40,000 over 25 years with solar, and leasing options start as low as $73/month with no upfront cost.
- Michigan offers meaningful solar incentives, including the DTE Energy Solar Currents rebate and low-interest Michigan Saves loans, to help reduce your installation costs.
Flint Electricity Prices
Flint residents pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country — and those rates keep climbing.
Michigan’s average electricity rate rose from 17.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 19.3 cents in 2024 — a 10.3% increase in just three years. That’s consistently higher than the national average, which rose from 13.7 to 16.5 cents over the same period.
For Flint homeowners, solar installation offers a way to generate your own power and reduce how much electricity you pull from the grid — softening the impact of rising utility rates on your monthly budget.
Over time, solar panels in Flint, MI can act as a long-term hedge against continued rate increases. The more rates rise, the more value a solar system provides — giving homeowners greater predictability and control over their energy costs.
Price of Energy: Michigan vs National Average
Flint Area Utility Providers
According to 2023 data, Flint residents are served primarily by Consumers Energy (18.8¢/kWh) and DTE Energy (19.7¢/kWh) — both at or above Michigan’s 2023 state average of 18.80¢/kWh and well above the national average of 16.0¢/kWh.
Michigan’s electricity rates reflect aging grid infrastructure, high transmission costs, and the expense of maintaining service across a large, spread-out state — all factors that push local utility prices above the national average of 16.0¢/kWh.
When electricity costs consistently run higher than the national average, generating your own power through solar becomes worth exploring. Flint homeowners who go solar can offset utility costs and gain more predictability over their monthly energy bills.
Flint Utilities Electricity Rates
Michigan Solar Incentives
Flint homeowners have access to several solar incentives in Michigan that can help reduce the upfront and long-term cost of solar installation.
State programs like the DTE Energy Solar Currents rebate and the Michigan Saves loan program offer meaningful financial support for residential solar in Flint. Eligibility and benefit amounts vary based on your utility provider and property type.
For homeowners who lease solar through Palmetto’s LightReach program, the process is simplified — Palmetto applies the commercial tax credit and passes those savings along through lower monthly payments.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTE Energy Solar Currents Program | Rebate | DTE Energy offers residential solar customers an upfront rebate of $2.40/watt plus a 20-year production incentive of $0.11/kWh for all solar electricity generated. | |
| Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program | Rebate | Michigan Saves offers low-interest fixed-rate loans of $1,000–$50,000 with terms up to 15 years to help homeowners finance residential solar installations. | |
| PACE Financing – Lean & Green Michigan (Commercial/Property Owners) | Rebate | Lean & Green Michigan’s PACE program allows commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily property owners to finance solar installations with no upfront costs, repaid through property tax assessments over up to 25 years. |
DTE Energy’s Solar Currents Program is one of the most generous utility solar incentives in Michigan. Eligible residential customers receive an upfront rebate of $2.40 per watt of installed solar capacity, plus a long-term production incentive of $0.11 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for all solar electricity generated under a 20-year contract. For a typical 7 kW residential system, the upfront rebate alone could amount to approximately $16,800.
The program is available to residential customers within DTE Energy’s service territory, which includes Flint and surrounding areas in southeastern Michigan. Solar systems must be purchased outright or financed — leased systems may not qualify for the rebate.
Customers interested in the program can contact DTE Energy directly at (313) 235-4786 or by emailing [email protected]. It is recommended to confirm current program availability and funding status before installation, as utility rebate programs can change.
Michigan Saves is a nonprofit energy finance organization that offers low-interest, fixed-rate loans to homeowners looking to install solar panels and other renewable energy systems. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000, with current interest rates between 4.44% and 7.90% APR and repayment terms of up to 15 years.
This program turns a large upfront solar investment into manageable monthly payments, making solar accessible to homeowners in Flint who may not have the cash on hand to purchase a system outright. Financing through Michigan Saves also allows homeowners to retain ownership of their system — which is required to claim other incentives such as the property tax exemption and MIRECS RECs.
Michigan Saves works with a network of approved lenders and contractors across the state. Visit michigansaves.org to find a participating lender, check current rates, and apply for financing for your solar project.
The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing Program, administered by Lean & Green Michigan, enables commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily property owners 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.
PACE financing is particularly well-suited for businesses and property owners in Flint who want to invest in solar energy without making large capital expenditures. Because repayment is tied to the property rather than the owner, the obligation can transfer to a new owner if the property is sold, which can be an important consideration when planning a long-term solar investment.
To participate, property owners must be located in a Michigan municipality that has adopted the PACE program. Contact Lean & Green Michigan directly to confirm your property’s eligibility, explore financing terms, and begin the application process.
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 performer 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 making the switch to solar — your neighbors might already be on board!
Leasing Solar Panels
If paying cash upfront for solar isn’t the right fit, Palmetto offers an alternative through its LightReach program. For Flint homeowners served by DTE Energy or Consumers Energy — the two primary utilities in the area — a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is available. With a PPA, you don’t own the system. Instead, you agree to purchase the electricity it produces at a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because solar panels generate more power in summer than winter, your solar bill will naturally be higher in summer months — but so will your utility savings.
Compared to buying a system outright, a PPA has a few clear advantages. There’s no large upfront cost, no loan to manage, and no maintenance responsibilities. Palmetto owns the system and handles all servicing. You simply pay for the clean energy your panels produce — typically at a rate lower than what your utility charges. Learn more about how buying compares to leasing or a PPA.
For Flint homeowners, a PPA can be a practical way to start saving on electricity without taking on the full cost of a solar installation. If you’re curious what your monthly payment might look like, the calculator above gives you a real estimate based on your home size.
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!
Explore LightReach LeasingFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense for many Flint homeowners. With electricity rates at 19.3¢/kWh — well above the national average — and Michigan averaging 4.4 peak sun hours per day, a typical Flint home can save around $40,000 over 25 years. State incentives like the DTE Energy Solar Currents rebate and Michigan Saves loans help reduce costs further.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach lease program removes that barrier entirely — Flint homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with payments starting as low as $73/month.
Flint does not have traditional net metering. The two primary utilities serving Flint — DTE Energy and Consumers Energy — both use a Net Billing (Export Credit) program instead. This means solar energy exported to the grid is credited at a rate less than the full retail rate.
With DTE Energy, export credits are roughly 8.5–14¢/kWh depending on time of day. Consumers Energy credits exports at 9–16¢/kWh based on season and time of day. Unused credits roll over monthly and can be applied to future supply charges.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home’s value in Flint. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. For a $150,000 home in Flint, that could mean roughly $6,150 in added value.
It’s worth noting that owned systems typically add more value than leased systems, since the new owner assumes the lease. Michigan also exempts solar installations from property tax assessments, so your taxes won’t increase when you add panels.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Flint homeowners can go solar for as low as $73/month with no upfront cost. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, passing savings from the commercial tax credit directly to you through lower monthly payments.
For a cash purchase, a typical Flint home requires a 6.38 kW system costing 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 make strong financial sense — especially with electricity rates at 19.3¢/kWh and rising. A typical home can save around $40,000 over 25 years with a purchased system.
If upfront cost is a concern, leasing through LightReach makes solar financially accessible from day one. The monthly lease payment is typically less than your current electricity bill — with no upfront investment required. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so your savings start immediately.
Palmetto Solar is a strong choice for Flint homeowners. As a national company with a local focus, we’ve completed 826 installations across Michigan since 2020. We offer some of the most flexible financing options in the industry, including our LightReach lease program — starting as low as $73/month with no upfront cost.
Our trusted install network handles everything from permitting to activation, so Flint residents can go solar with confidence. We’ve served 20,000+ customers across 31 states with an approval rating over 85%.
With Palmetto’s LightReach program, Flint homeowners can lease solar with no upfront cost. One simple monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. For a typical 6.38 kW system in Flint, the estimated lease payment is approximately $73/month — often less than your current electricity bill.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — a key advantage for Flint homeowners looking to go solar today.