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Michigan Goes Solar with SunPower®
Michigan gains the upper hand by going solar
The state of solar power in Michigan
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the use of solar power across the United States is more affordable and accessible than ever. In fact, the cost of solar panels has dropped by nearly 50% since 2014.
As a nation, we can power 12 million homes just with the energy we have collected from the sun. That number is bound to increase as technology becomes more efficient, further dropping the cost of photovoltaic energy production.
The more states, companies, and consumers embrace photovoltaic technology, the more those costs will continue to fall. This is exciting news for green energy proponents and homeowners everywhere. While Michigan isn’t currently near the top of the list of solar power producers, that only means that there’s more room for improvement.
How much solar power does Michigan produce?
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) currently ranks Michigan at 32nd for solar energy production. The Wolverine State produces enough energy to power 25,530 homes, which equals just about 0.25% of the electricity produced within the state. Michigan has 240 solar companies that support over 4,000 jobs in the solar industry.
This ranking uses markers such as the number of solar jobs in the state, the amount of money invested into solar energy, and any plans for further growth to determine where the state lies against a national backdrop. Although Michigan falls below the center mark, solar will still play an important role in the energy mix of the state.
Is solar feasible in Michigan?
While Michigan receives 13% less sunshine than other states, the falling costs of solar power systems and the increased efficiency of those installations makes solar power 8% more cost-effective than it is anywhere else in the nation.
Most of Michigan lies further south of Germany, giving it more sunlight than the country that leads the world in solar development. Not only is solar power feasible in Michigan, it’s a bright investment in the future.
What legal considerations affect solar power in Michigan?
The Michigan government adopted a Renewable Portfolio Standard in 2008. Their goal was to create a minimum of 10% of their electricity through renewable resources. Once they met this goal, they adopted a new energy policy, which increased the percentage point to 12.5% by 2019 and 15% by 2021.
While home and business owners can no longer participate in net metering, as the state government ended that program in 2018, some solar system installation companies do offer residential financing to help you pay for qualifying energy improvements.
How can I start using solar in Michigan?
SunPower has been developing photovoltaic technology since the 1980s. We've won an Australian outback sun race and sent an aircraft into the upper reaches of the atmosphere with our panels.
Our award-winning technology is the most efficient on the market,* and we warrant your photovoltaic system for 25 years. See how much money you can save with our Savings Calculator.
Getting solar panels installed is a big step, and we know it can be confusing. Our website can take you through the process step-by-step. Look at our SunPower Design Studio and see what your home might look like with a full photovoltaic system. Check out the financing options that SunPower offers.
Contact us. We have solar experts that can answer any question you might have. Let us help you find the perfect solution for your home.
- *. SunPower 400 W, 22.6% efficient, compared to a Conventional Panel on same-sized arrays (280 W multi, 17% efficient, approx. 1.64 m²), 8% more energy per watt (based on PVSim runs for avg US climate), 0.5%/yr slower degradation rate (Jordan, et. al. Robust PV Degradation Methodology and Application. PVSC 2018).
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