Ann Arbor particulars
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.
Interconnection and permits in Ann Arbor: what to know
For a permit today, the city's 2020 checklist says expedited residential solar needs an electrical permit, with 3 to 5 business days printed as the turnaround. Other residential projects need a building permit too, and print 5 to 10 business days.
DTE Electric is Ann Arbor's utility on the state's map (check your address with DTE). Its application costs $50 at Levels 1 and 2. Under its July 1, 2026 procedures, DTE has 10 business days to classify a complete application as conforming, incomplete or non-conforming, and the applicant then has 60 business days to fix any deficiency.
Permits for interconnection and permits in Ann Arbor
The state electrical permit application asks for the contractor's Michigan license number, so the permit is pulled under it.
When to call 911 and when it can wait
- Smoke, a burning smell or fire at the inverter, panels or wiring is a 911 call. Leave the equipment alone.
- An application the utility hasn't answered yet.
- A permit sheet you haven't been able to find.
What to settle before the paperwork starts
Try this first: ask Building, Rental and Inspection Services whether Ann Arbor routes solar permits through SolarAPP+ today.
- Ask who files the utility application and who pulls the city permit.
- Ask your building department for its current solar sheet and whether a building permit is also needed.
- Ask the company which of these fees its price includes.
- Look up its electrical contractor license number with LARA.
- Ask for the utility's approval to operate in writing before the final payment.
What interconnection and permits cost
The estimate below is the Michigan-wide one, adjusted for Michigan wages and not for Ann Arbor in particular. The same table is on the interconnection and permits page. How we estimate costs. Prices as of Oct 23, 2026.
| Item | Figure | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| DTE Rider 18 application, Level 1 and 2 | $50 | DTE's interconnection procedures dated July 1, 2026. Study or construction fees may apply if triggered. |
| Consumers Energy distributed generation application review, Levels 1 to 3 | $50 | Consumers' interconnection cost table. Supplemental review, system impact and facilities study are listed at $0. |
| Solar photovoltaic electrical permit, Detroit | $278 per inverter connection per visit (grid-connected); $165 per visit (no grid) | BSEED fee schedule effective January 1, 2024. A subsequent installation inspection visit is $176 each. |
| Electrical permit, alternative power, Grand Rapids | $42.00 for the first 10 kW, then $4.00 per added kW | FY2027 fee schedule, electrical. |
| Electrical permit, solar per kW, Royal Oak | $20.00 per kW | Master fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. |
| Electrical permit, alternative power, Wyoming | $40.00 for the system and first 10 kW, then $4.00 per added kW | Fee schedule effective 2026. The electrical application fee is $50.00 and includes one inspection. |
| Electrical permit, solar panels, Taylor | $19.00 per panel, plus a $50.00 application fee | 2025-2026 schedule. |
| Electrical permit, per PV module up to 20 kW, Kalamazoo | $7.00 per module, plus an $83.00 application fee | 2026 application. Residential PV also needs a building permit. |
| Expedited residential solar electrical permit, Ann Arbor | $0 for line-item solar fees | The city's 2020 checklist and fee sheet say it doesn't charge for them; an inspection is $35.00 if applicable. The city may have changed fees since. |
| Electrical permit, solar panel modules, East Lansing | $12 per module | City electrical permit fees, undated. The building side is separate: a $60 solar permit application fee, and $140 for systems under 10 kW covering the application and rough and final inspections. |
| Electrical permit, alternative energy up to 50 kW, Battle Creek | $50.00 | Schedule effective July 1, 2026. Per-panel rows of $2.00 and $1.00 are also printed; ask the city whether both apply. |
| State electrical permit schedule, solar photovoltaic system | $75.00 application, then $2.00 or $1.00 per panel | LARA's state form applies only where the state inspects, and its column layout is ambiguous. |
These rows are fees that utilities and cities publish, each with the date or fiscal year of the schedule. None is an installer's price, and the estimate model has no row for this service. Full method.
Questions about interconnection and permits
How long does DTE take to approve a solar system?
DTE says the process takes approximately six weeks. It has 10 business days to say whether an application is complete, and you have 60 business days to fix deficiencies.
How much does a solar permit cost in Michigan?
There's no statewide figure, because each city sets its own fee. The cities we cite run from $0 in Ann Arbor, on a 2020 sheet, to $278 per inverter connection per visit in Detroit.
Does Michigan require a building permit for solar too?
Many cities do, including Dearborn, Kalamazoo and East Lansing. Ask your building department what it needs.