Solar in Southfield
Southfield's Building Department (Building and Safety Engineering) issues its own electrical permits, and its number, per the city's page, is 248-796-4100. A January 2017 application, likely replaced since, priced a residential "Solar PV System" at $50.00 with a $40.00 application fee and a $90.00 minimum, so ask the department for today's residential figure. Southfield's power comes from DTE Electric, going by the MPSC territory map. An address check with DTE confirms it.
Property tax is the other number homeowners ask about. Michigan State Tax Commission Bulletin 6 of 2020 covers a home photovoltaic system no larger than 150 kW that produces no more than the household uses in a year. Until the property is sold, the assessor doesn't count it as an increase in true cash value. That rule comes from 2019 PA 116 and 117, which amended MCL 211.34d and 211.27.
A system sized past your annual use falls outside it. That exemption ends at the sale, when the assessor may add the system's value, so it's worth knowing before you choose between a smaller array and a larger one.
What solar costs near Southfield
We haven't collected solar quotes from Southfield, 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 Southfield
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 Southfield
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 Southfield
- Building Department (Building and Safety Engineering), City of Southfield Read Oct 23, 2026. One caveat: confirm the figures and dates with the source itself before you act on them.
- City of Southfield Electrical Permit Application (JAN 2017) Read Oct 23, 2026. Third-party figure, not checked by us.
- MPSC electric utility service area Read Oct 23, 2026. Confirm with the source before you rely on it.
- Michigan State Tax Commission Bulletin No. 6 of 2020 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.