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Top 5 Best Solar Companies in Michigan (2023 Reviews)
In this guide to Michigan’s best solar companies, you’ll learn:
- What are the best solar installers in MI?
- How can I save money on solar conversion in MI?
- What are the most important traits to look for in a MI solar company?
Michigan’s Top 5 Solar Energy Companies
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) maintains that MI is home to nearly 70 solar providers, which means you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when going solar.1 Unfortunately, that also means that you’ll need to do a lot of research on these companies to see which is the right one for your needs.
Luckily, we’ve done a lot of the hard work for you. We’ve researched dozens of providers in MI and ranked them based on factors that are likely to be most important to you. Below, we’ll include a quick list of the top installers in your area:
- The Green Panel: Outstanding Local Installer
- Strawberry Solar: Outstanding Local Installer
- Windfree Solar: Outstanding Local Installer
- Michigan Solar Solutions: Solar Veteran
- SunPower: Best National Provider
For more information on each of these companies, you can click on the drop-down menus below for our reasoning and fast facts.
The Green Panel
Outstanding Local Installer
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
Cons
- No leases or PPAs
With years of local experience, this provider is able to help you take full advantage of all of the solar benefit programs available in your area. More importantly, the techs understand the specific needs of MI residents, like high-efficiency panels to offset the low number of sunny days per year.2 This is our primary reason for ranking this company so highly.
The Green Panel is a local solar company that was founded in Brighton, Michigan, in 2007 and has since expanded to serve all of MI. As a smaller company, it provides outstanding customer service and maintains over-the-top positive reviews from customers throughout the state. Most homeowners comment on the level of communication and expertise when it comes to the products and services the company provides.
This company has good product warranties, but it, unfortunately, does not offer a workmanship warranty. We still think it’s a great option, as customer reviews remain overwhelmingly positive, and warranty claims are responded to quickly.
Facts and Figures: The Green Panel
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 5 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Solar Carports, Electrical Work |
Strawberry Solar
Outstanding Local Installer
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
Cons
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
We recommend Strawberry Solar mostly because it brings unmatched customer service to the table. In a state like MI, where countless solar companies are popping up to take advantage of the high demand, a leader in customer service can cut through the noise and bring you a great experience. Plus, warranty response times are fast.
Since this installer operates solely in Michigan, you can rest assured that the techs understand local needs and benefit programs. You’re very likely to get a solar energy solution that can offset your utility bills.
This is especially important because the cost of electricity in MI is more than 50% higher than the national average.3 Local experience can mean greater savings in the long run.
Strawberry Solar doesn’t have the best warranties, offering just 10 years of coverage for equipment and workmanship. We still think it’s a good local option, though, as there have been few complaints from customers about the lack of warranty coverage.
Facts and Figures: Strawberry Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers |
Windfree Solar
Outstanding Local Installer
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
- Excellent reputation
- Outstanding workmanship
Cons
- Slightly limited service area
- May be overqualified for residential systems
- No leases or PPAs
We chose Windfree as another great local installer because it has over a decade of experience helping residents in the Great Lakes region offset their energy bills and minimize their carbon footprints. Windfree is headquartered in Illinois, but it has tons of experience providing MI residents with the systems they need.
As a small company, Windfree is another outstanding option for customer service. It offers free quotes and in-house consultations, personalized system design and more. This helps ensure that you don’t overpay for a system that doesn’t suit your needs, which is important in an area like MI where solar costs are significantly higher than the national average.
Windfree doesn’t have the best warranty coverage, nor does it have a wide range of products available. However, the panels it does carry are highly efficient, and the warranty coverage still provides peace of mind through the occasional bouts of extreme weather in MI.
Facts and Figures: Windfree Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades, Community Solar |
Michigan Solar Solutions
Solar Veteran
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
Cons
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
We chose Michigan Solar Solutions in large part because of the local expertise combined with the warranty coverage.
This provider has been serving MI residents exclusively since 2007, so the techs are well aware of the high efficiency required to offset the lack of sun availability in the area. The representatives are also ready and able to assist you in taking advantage of the statewide, local and utility-company-specific benefit programs available.
Perhaps more importantly, Michigan Solar offers lengthier warranty coverage than most other local installers. Robust solar warranties help protect your system through Michigan’s extreme weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes.4
This provider has only a small selection of solar services available, and it doesn’t accept leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Still, we think it’s worth considering because of the experience and warranty coverage.
Facts and Figures: Michigan Solar Solutions
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers |
SunPower
Best National Provider
Pros
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
Cons
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
SunPower is one of our top choices for a few reasons, including warranty coverage, availability and panel efficiency.
This provider has unmatched warranties, offering coverage for 25 years for equipment, panel efficiency and labor. This will provide peace of mind for your system even through the extreme weather events in MI.
As a national company, SunPower also has wide availability. Given the recent increase in the popularity of solar in MI, many local installers are overwhelmed with the number of solar projects they have. SunPower outsources installations to keep up with demand.
Perhaps most importantly, SunPower manufactures some of the highest-efficiency panels in the industry under the Maxeon brand. These help to take full advantage of the minimal sunlight available in MI.
SunPower does come at an above-average cost, but we feel the investment is worthwhile for the efficiency and warranty coverage.
Need more information on this provider to decide if it’s right for you? Check out our complete SunPower review for more guidance.
Facts and Figures: SunPower
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Year Founded |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
| Warranty Coverage |
| 5 |
| A+ |
| 1985 |
| $$$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring |
| SunPower Panels |
| 25-year all-inclusive warranty |
How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company in Michigan
The average Michigander spends around $19,670 installing PV panels, or closer to $13,769 after the federal tax credit. These numbers are based on the average cost per watt of photovoltaic (PV) equipment in MI — $2.81 — and the average system size requirement to offset utility bills — 7 kilowatts (kW).
While this total price is lower than the national average, it’s still quite expensive and can be prohibitively costly for many residents. Naturally, most prospective solar customers look for ways to save money when converting to clean energy in MI. Below are some of our tips for saving on your solar system, and we’ll expand on these in the following sections.
- Take advantage of incentives
- Opt for high-efficiency panels
- Install solar batteries
Take Advantage of All the Solar Incentives You Can
One of the best ways to save money on your solar conversion is to take advantage of as many solar perks and rebates as possible. Solar benefit programs from the federal government, state government, local municipalities and individual utility providers can all help reduce your up-front and long-term costs.
The table below provides a quick look at the solar incentives that are currently available in MI.
| Incentive | Description |
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | This is a credit to your income tax burden for 30% of your entire system cost, including panels, batteries and inverters. In MI, the credit amount averages around $5,901. |
| Alternative Energy Property Tax Exemption | This is a property tax exemption for your PV equipment, which means your panels, batteries, inverters and other components will not cause your assessed value to go up. This helps avoid hikes in property taxes after solar conversion. |
| MI Local PACE Program | MI provides Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to qualifying homeowners to finance conversion costs. The loans include low interest rates and affordable down payment requirements. |
| Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program | This is another loan program that helps keep solar financing as accessible as possible. The program works with local lenders and installers to keep interest rates and down payment requirements to a minimum. |
Choose High-Efficiency Panels
If you get a quote from a few different installers, you might find some providers’ estimates to be thousands of dollars below those of others. One reason for this could be lower equipment costs, specifically for lower-quality panels. PV panels with low efficiency ratings are cheaper, but they generate less electricity in all conditions.
MI residents see just 170 days of sunlight per year, which is well below the national average of 205.5 A lower sunlight availability means panels have less opportunity to generate electricity and offset energy bills, which means lower savings in the long run.
We strongly recommend choosing high-efficiency solar panels, like Maxeon panels, in MI. Although they might cost more, they’re more likely to pay for themselves more quickly and provide greater energy savings in the long run.
Install Solar Batteries
Solar batteries are a confusing option for many solar customers, and for good reason. They add thousands of dollars to your solar panel installation costs, and they’re often just billed as back-up energy sources in case of power outages. However, they can be quite valuable for many MI residents for two reasons.
First, you should consider that MI is ranked in the top five states for power outages.6 That means having batteries will allow you to keep your power on despite extreme weather conditions causing frequent blackouts.
Second, net metering, which lets you overproduce energy with your panels and use the excess to pay down future electricity bills, is not mandated in Michigan. Since many customers will be without net metering, they’ll have to pull from the grid at night and during cloudy days when production naturally drops.
Those natural dips in production will eat into your savings because the cost of energy in MI is significantly higher than in the rest of the country. Even those who do have access to net metering usually get credited at a below-retail rate per kWh, so solar batteries can help maximize savings over time.
Will Solar Increase Your Home Value in Michigan?
Yes! Solar panels do add value to your home in MI — often close to what you pay for them. Reports from Zillow suggest that homes with solar sell for around 4.1% more than those without solar systems.7 With an average home value in MI of around $237,000, that’s an added value of around $9,717.8
When you consider that the average system in the area — after the ITC — costs just $13,769, converting to renewable energy suddenly becomes a very valuable investment. Plus, home prices in The Great Lakes State have risen over 10% in the past year, so solar investment could become even more valuable if that trend continues.
It’s worth mentioning that solar conversion is most valuable in areas where home values are the highest. These include:
- Ann Arbor
- Birmingham
- Troy
- Rochester
- Novi
- Farmington Hills
- East Grand Rapids
Should Michigan Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer or DIY?
DIY solar installation seems like an appealing option for many homeowners because of the relatively low cost compared to a professional solar project. However, we believe it’s a much better option to pay a premium to have a professional solar installation company or electrician do the work for you.
There are a few reasons for this, including:
- High risk of roof leaks
- Lower panel efficiency with DIY solar kits
- Less appealing warranties with DIY panels
We’ll explain the importance of these factors below.
DIY Installations Lead to More Issues
As you might expect, installing solar panels yourself will naturally leave your home at greater risk of roof leaks. Unfortunately, even professional installers can’t always prevent leaks resulting from the roof shingle penetrations required for solar conversion.
DIYers are far more likely to make mistakes that lead to leaks and eventual water damage. While you might save money installing panels yourself, the savings can quickly be offset by repairs required if you make errors while installing your panels.
DIY Solar Panels Have a Lower Efficiency Rating
As we mentioned above, MI receives far less sunlight than most states in the U.S., which means residents need to maximize panel efficiency to offset energy bills. Choosing a brand with a higher efficiency rating almost always leads to a faster panel payback period and greater savings in the long run.
Most DIY panels have an efficiency rating well below the industry-leading efficiencies of brands like Maxeon, Tesla and Panasonic. Again, you will spend less installing DIY panels, but you may not save as much over time as you would by having a professional solar panel company install top-quality panels.
Your Warranty Coverage Will Be Less Appealing
Solar power systems in MI will always be at elevated risk of damage because of the severe weather that frequents the area. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can put panels at risk of serious damage, which could necessitate expensive repairs or replacements.
With professionally installed panels, you can get warranties that average around 25 years for damage. DIY panel kits more often top out at around five years, which provides far less peace of mind.
DIY solar panels cost less, but having to replace damaged panels could result in overall higher solar energy system costs in the long run in MI.
What Should Michiganders Look For in a Solar Installer?
There are several important things to look for in an installer if you’re planning to go solar in MI. We’ll list some of the most important factors below and explain why each is important in the sections that follow.
- Panel brands offered
- Efficiency warranties
- Physical warranties
- Solar services provided
Panel Brands Offered
MI receives around 20% fewer sunny days per year than most other states and sees a relatively low sunlight intensity, given its northern location, so most residents will want to maximize panel efficiency to ensure they offset as much of their electric bills as possible. This is especially important given that the energy costs in MI are well above average in the U.S.
It’s worth looking at the panel brands offered before choosing an installer. Some companies keep installation costs down by providing below-average equipment brands. We recommend choosing a company that has leading brands like Maxeon/SunPower, Tesla, Panasonic, LG, REC, Qcells, Trina and Canadian Solar.
Efficiency Warranty Coverage
Next, we recommend prioritizing companies that offer robust efficiency warranties. Since sun availability is relatively low in MI, you want panels that are guaranteed to maintain peak production for years to come.
Efficiency warranties do just that — they guarantee a minimal drop in efficiency over the warranty period. Some of the best panel manufacturers guarantee no lower than 80% efficiency after 25 years.
Physical Damage Warranties
The extreme weather in MI and the above-average tree coverage both put MI PV panels at an elevated risk of damage.9 We suggest looking for companies that provide a lengthy physical damage warranty. This will help you avoid repair and replacement costs after installation.
Solar Services Provided
Finally, we suggest looking for a company that has a good selection of solar services. Most solar companies will install panels, but not all of them will also offer batteries, EV chargers and other solar equipment or energy efficiency upgrades.
As mentioned above, solar batteries can be a great option in MI. They add quite a lot to your total system cost, but they help you maximize the value of your energy production since the state doesn’t mandate net metering.
Additionally, batteries can help maintain electricity through the frequent power outages in MI, providing you with peace of mind regardless of the weather conditions.
Methodology: How We Ranked Michigan’s Solar Companies
We start our solar ranking process by assessing the top solar installers that serve MI customers. We then research each provider to determine the cost, warranty coverage, panel brands offered, customer service provided and more. Finally, we weight those factors based on what we believe is most important to you and use those to rank the companies.
Below is a list of some of the most crucial things we look for in solar providers in MI. We’ll also explain in the sections below why these are our top priorities for local solar companies.
- Panel brands that meet MI’s efficiency needs
- Warranties to keep panels protected in extreme weather
- Years in business
- Overall pricing and financing options
- Industry affiliations
Panel Efficiency to Offset Lack of Sunlight in MI
MI sees less sunlight than most states, and the solar energy that does touch down is less intense than it is in states located further south in the U.S. This being the case, it’s crucial to install panels with a high efficiency rating, as that helps you offset energy bills as much as possible, leading to greater overall savings.
For this reason, we prioritize companies that carry high-efficiency panel brands, like Maxeon, LG, Panasonic, Tesla and Qcells.
Warranty Coverage for Extreme MI Conditions
Next, we look at the warranty coverage that each company provides with their solar arrays. Solar warranties usually cover panel efficiency, panel damage, workmanship or a combination of the three.
In MI, we believe efficiency warranties are the most valuable, as they help guarantee maximum energy production to offset the above-average energy costs for years after installation. Next, we prioritize physical damage warranties, which help provide peace of mind through the local thunderstorms, tornadoes and other extreme conditions.
Years in Business Given Recent Local Industry Growth
The local solar industry in MI has gotten stronger in the past few years, and with that increased popularity has come a slew of new solar installers to capitalize on the demand. Unfortunately, that means a lot of companies might be focused more on profit than on anything else.
That’s why we prioritize companies that have years of experience in the industry and in MI in particular. This helps ensure that you’re getting quality service and a commitment to sustainability from your installer.
Pricing and Financing to Combat High Local Equipment Prices
Next, we look at the pricing of a solar system from each company, including the price per watt and the overall costs, as well as financing options available.
Solar equipment in MI is more expensive than in most other states, averaging around $2.81 per watt as opposed to the U.S. average of $2.66. This means your money won’t go as far, so it’s important to choose a company that balances cost with value.
We consider both the pricing of each installer as well as the quality of the equipment and customer service provided to bring you the best companies possible.
Industry Affiliations
Many solar companies are founded with strong mission statements focused on bringing renewable energy solutions to consumers to better the environment.
We assess companies based on their affiliations with solar organizations like the Michigan Community Solar Alliance (MCSA), Michigan Saves and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Affiliations like these are a good sign that a company is motivated by making clean energy more accessible and reliable rather than by profit alone.
Read More About Going Solar in Michigan
- Is Solar Worth It in Michigan?
- Michigan Solar Incentives Guide
- Find Cost Savings on Solar Panels in Michigan
FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Michigan
Below, we’ll include our responses to some of the most common questions we see about converting to solar in The Great Lakes State.
Based on our review above, the EcoWatch team believes that The Green Panel is the most reputable solar company in MI. This company has stellar reviews on every platform, a staunch record of excellent customer service and response times, good warranties, affordability, and a solid reputation throughout the state.
Yes, absolutely! Your solar panel system will only ever be as good as your panels, so these play a major role in your energy production and system longevity. There are many manufacturers to choose from, all of which bring varying durability, energy efficiency, and prices to the table.
Most installers only carry a handful of brands, so to some extent you might want to base your choice of installer on the brands it carries. The low sunlight availability in MI means choosing an installer that offers high-efficiency panels is your best bet.
Finding the solar company that offers the cheapest PV panels involves calling multiple installers in your area and asking for solar quotes. This can be tedious, so a better option is to use our EcoWatch ratings to determine the best value company that fits within your budget.
Based on the fact that SunPower is the largest solar company in MI, it probably also has the most experience in terms of installations. This company has also been in the industry longer than most local solar installers in MI.
For many MI homeowners, the most important factor when choosing a solar company is customer service. A company that provides fast responses and good customer care provides more value and fewer headaches, making customer service more important than PV panel cost in most cases.
In our opinion, panel efficiency is just as important. Solar production in MI is naturally low due to weather conditions, so a highly efficient panel will typically save far more on energy bills over the long run.
It might surprise you to not find popular companies like Vivint and Titan Solar Power in our ranking. These companies, along with some others like J. Ranck Electric, have been excluded from our rankings. This was an intentional decision based on one or more factors, including ongoing lawsuits with customers, minimal service area within the State of Michigan, and poor customer service.
Yes! In most states, the utility provider you have won’t make a difference in your solar company selection. However, some companies offer net energy metering in MI, while others don’t because it’s not mandated. Among the companies that do, some offer energy credits at the full retail rate, while most offer a lower, avoided-cost rate.
It’s worth considering what your utility provider offers because it can determine if a solar battery would benefit you. If a battery would help you save money on energy costs, then it’s best to choose an installer that provides access to panels and solar storage solutions.
Top Installers For Michigan
Comparing authorized solar partners
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
-
- Outstanding customer service
- Excellent reputation
- Great warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
A+Outstanding Local Installer
Having trouble deciding? Click below and use our process to receive multiple quotes instead: