Flint, MI Solar Panels: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Flint
If you live in Flint, MI, and have watched your electricity bills climb, you’re not alone. Michigan has the 12th highest utility prices per kWh in the nation, and rates have increased 19% from 2020 to 2024. For many Flint homeowners, solar installation is becoming a practical way to manage rising energy costs.
And yes, solar works even in Michigan’s cloudier climate. This guide walks you through what solar looks like in Flint, from how panels perform to what to expect during installation. To learn more, explore our guide on home solar panels.
MICHIGAN by the Numbers
- 28th Most residential solar in the United States
- 21 Households have installed solar panels
- 4.4 Avg peak sun hours per day
- ~$42k Flint average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Flint, MI?
Curious what solar costs in Flint? This calculator uses real installation data from homes across Flint and nearby areas like Grand Blanc, Burton, Flushing, and Mt. Morris. See genuine, local estimates based on firsthand numbers—not guesses—so you can understand your solar options with clarity and confidence.
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Michigan.
Recommended System
- 6.80 kW
Your Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost with LightReach
$78/mo
As low as
$78/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
- System Cost: $21,521
- Price per Watt: $3.16
- Final Cost: $21,521
Savings
Your total financial benefit
- Monthly Savings: $97
- Payback Period: 14.7 years
- 25-Year Savings: $42,476
Palmetto Reviews
- Larry Wilson, Detroit, Michigan: The install team was proficient, courteous, and cleaned up after themselves. I liked that they painted the conduit pipe to match my exterior so it blended in.
- Paul Stinavage, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Palmetto completed installation of the solar panels on my roof yesterday. They were exceptional. The installation crew was prompt, professional, and courteous. They maintained a clean and orderly workspace.
- John Tran, Warren, Michigan: Palmetto company helped you from A to Z, paper works, designed, permitted, and installations, took good care of customers. My solar power saves my electrical bill -- I enjoy a year of savings, thanks for your work.
Key Takeaways
- Flint electricity rates keep climbing, reaching 19.3¢ per kWh in 2024—well above the national average of 16.5¢, making solar a practical way to manage costs.
- Solar works in Michigan’s cloudy climate, and a typical Flint home can save around $42,000 over 25 years by generating its own power.
- Michigan incentives still help lower costs, including a property tax exemption and utility programs, plus leasing options with no upfront investment.
Flint Electricity Prices
Michigan electricity rates rose from 17.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 19.3 cents in 2024, roughly a 10% jump. That’s well above the U.S. average of 16.5 cents. Solar helps Flint homeowners take control of these rising costs. By generating your own power, you rely less on the grid and gain more predictability in what you pay each month.
Price of Energy: Michigan vs National Average
| Year | Michigan (per kWh) | US Average (per kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17.5¢ | 16.5¢ |
| 2022 | 18.8¢ | |
| 2023 | 19.3¢ |
Flint Area Utility Providers
In Flint, MI, most homes are served by Consumers Energy or DTE Energy. Based on 2023 data, these utilities charged 18.8¢ and 19.7¢ per kWh—both above the 16.0¢ national average.
Flint Utilities Electricity Rates
| Provider | Rate (per kWh) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Consumers Energy | 18.80¢ | +18% |
| DTE Energy | 19.70¢ | +23% |
| MI Average | 18.80¢ | +18% |
| US Average | 16.0¢ | — |
Michigan Solar Incentives
Flint homeowners can tap several solar incentives in Michigan to help offset the cost of installing solar panels.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Property Tax Exemption for Solar | Property Tax Exemption | Michigan law exempts the added home value from a solar energy system (up to 150 kW) from property tax assessments. | Learn More |
| Consumers Energy – SolarCurrents Program | Rebate | Pays residential solar customers a per-kWh production incentive for solar electricity generated over a multi-year contract period. | Learn More |
| Michigan Saves – Home Energy Loan Program | Rebate | Offers homeowners low-interest financing for solar and battery storage installations. | |
| PACE Financing – Lean & Green Michigan | Rebate | Allows commercial, agricultural, and nonprofit property owners to finance solar with no upfront costs. |
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Michigan incentives.
Flint Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity.
Solar Production in Flint by Month
- System Size: 5 kW / 7 kW / 10 kW
- Energy Production (kWh/day): Source: NREL PVWatts data; Flint, MI
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
- 50 kWh/day
- Your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.3 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 16 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.0 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
- 14 kWh/day
- Your 10 kW system could power:
- 0.9 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 7 hours
- or Fully charge 1.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
- Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 9 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 152 trees
Solar Panel Systems in Flint
We’ve mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood level.
Leasing Solar Panels
If paying upfront for solar in Flint feels out of reach, you have another option. Palmetto’s LightReach program offers a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Flint, MI have net metering?
Flint, MI no longer offers traditional one-to-one net metering. Instead, Michigan uses a net billing system. - Do solar panels increase your home value in Flint, MI?
Yes, when you own your solar panels, they can increase your Flint home’s value. - How much does it cost to go solar in Flint, MI?
A cash purchase for an average Flint home runs about $21,500. - How does leasing solar work?
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, one monthly payment covers everything: the solar panels, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. - Is solar worth it financially?
For many Flint homeowners, solar can pay off financially. - What’s the best solar company in Flint, MI?
At Palmetto, we serve Flint homeowners with quality panels and reliable energy. - Do solar panels work in Flint, MI’s climate?
Yes, solar panels work well in Flint, MI’s climate.