Solar in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor's Building, Rental and Inspection Services runs an expedited path for residential solar that needs only an electrical permit. Its 2020 checklist says the city doesn't charge line-item solar fees, application fees or plan review on that path. The 2020 fee sheet matches: "Solar Panels per set of 3 panels $0," with a $35.00 inspection where one applies. Both papers are six years old. Turnaround is printed as 3 to 5 business days for expedited residential work and 5 to 10 for the rest.
A non-expedited job adds a building permit: a $15 application, $37.50 to $100 for plan review and a $150 to $400 permit by project cost. Its number, per the city's page, is 734-794-6263. NREL named Ann Arbor on November 30, 2022 as one of 12 communities picked for Step 2 of the SolarAPP+ Prize, but whether the city went live on SolarAPP+ isn't stated, so ask the office. The MPSC map shows DTE Electric as the utility here; check your address with DTE.
The city's undated Solarize FAQ puts the southeast Michigan average at about $3.13 per watt, within $2.70 to $3.80. It also describes a federal credit the IRS says isn't available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Divide a quote's total by its watts and set that beside the FAQ's range.
What solar costs near Ann Arbor
We haven't collected solar quotes from Ann Arbor, so this page gives no city price. The statewide estimates are on each service page, and the Michigan page lists them with what solar installers are paid ($24.29 an hour in BLS data for May 2025, which is pay, not price), the printed city permit fees and the utility application fees. How we estimate costs.
Licenses and permits for solar in Ann Arbor
Under MCL 339.5737(1), electrical contracting takes a license, and MCL 339.5701 counts generating equipment as electrical wiring. Put the installer's electrical contractor license number on the quote.
Solar jobs in Ann Arbor
More on Michigan solar
How to check a solar installer's license · How solar permits work in Michigan: the license, the city permit and the utility application
Sources for Ann Arbor
- Building, Rental and Inspection Services, City of Ann Arbor Read Oct 23, 2026. One caveat: confirm the figures and dates with the source itself before you act on them.
- City of Ann Arbor Solar PV System Permitting Checklist (Nov 2020) and Electrical Permit Fees (eff. Jan 2020) Read Oct 23, 2026. Confirm with the source before you rely on it.
- MPSC electric utility service area Read Oct 23, 2026. Confirm with the source before you rely on it.
- NREL: SolarAPP+ Prize Helps Communities Adopt Automated Solar Permit Processing (Wayback 2025-03-03) Read Oct 23, 2026.
- MPSC page (government, dated Jan 2023) and utility/city statements Read Oct 23, 2026.
- IRS: Residential Clean Energy Credit Read Oct 23, 2026.
- MCL 339.5737 (legislature.mi.gov) Read Oct 23, 2026.
- MCL 339.5701 definitions (legislature.mi.gov) Read Oct 23, 2026.