Solar in Dearborn
Dearborn's Residential Solar Checklist, updated January 23, 2025, requires both a building permit and an electrical permit. The electrical application has no PV line, so the checklist is where the fees are printed. Building administrative and plan review fees are "$100 administrative fee + $5 per $1,000 of construction cost with a maximum of $250," and the permit itself is "$100 + $15 for each additional $1,000 of construction value over $2,000." The electrical side reads "$100 + at least $80 depending on scope of work." Turnaround is 10 business days.
There's paperwork for the contractor, too. The electrical contractor needs a State of Michigan electrical license and must be registered with the city, and the building contractor needs a residential builder or maintenance and alteration license. Dearborn sits in DTE Electric territory on the MPSC map (confirm your address with DTE), and the checklist says DTE application fees range from $50 to $500, though most residential projects cost $50. The building and trade permits desk answers at 311 or 313-943-2150, per the city's page. If an installer suggests you pull the permits yourself, the checklist's own words are that the city "strongly discourages homeowners from applying directly."
What solar costs near Dearborn
We haven't collected solar quotes from Dearborn, 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 Dearborn
A license for electrical contracting is required by MCL 339.5737(1), and the statute's definition of electrical wiring reaches generating equipment (MCL 339.5701). So ask the company for its electrical contractor license number in writing.
Solar jobs in Dearborn
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 Dearborn
- Economic Development - Building & Trade permits, City of Dearborn Read Oct 23, 2026. One caveat: treat this entry as a pointer to the source, and confirm the figures and phone numbers with the source itself.
- City of Dearborn Residential Solar Checklist Read Oct 23, 2026.
- MPSC electric utility service area Read Oct 23, 2026. Confirm with the source before you rely on it.
- DTE Electric Generator Interconnection Procedures, Levels 1 and 2 (July 1, 2026) 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.