Why Solar is a High-Performance Investment for Ann Arbor
Solar energy in Ann Arbor remains a high-performance investment in 2026 for homeowners and businesses. Local programs have stepped up to help you own your power and lower the overall solar panel cost in Ann Arbor.
Here is why you should consider installing solar panels on your home or business:
Direct Cash for Storage: Residents can get up to $3,500 back for a Tesla Powerwall or other battery storage, plus up to $2,000 for SPAN panel upgrades through the A2ZERO program.
Tax-Free Home Equity: Thanks to the Mathieu-Gast exclusion, adding solar panels in Ann Arbor generally won’t increase your property taxes, allowing you to build equity without the tax penalty.
Maximize Utility Credits: Use Inflow/Outflow billing to sell your extra solar energy back to DTE or Consumers Energy, effectively “shrinking” your monthly bill to the bare minimum.
Community Group Buying: Lower your solar installation cost by participating in Ann Arbor Solarize, a group-buy program that leverages community volume to reduce prices for everyone.
Business & Farm Incentives: If you own a local company or farm, you can still access Federal Business Clean Electricity Investment Credits and USDA REAP grants to fund your transition to clean energy
See if your property qualifies for Ann Arbor’s exclusive battery and panel rebates before funding runs out.
Get a FREE Quote for Solar Panel Installation Find More Solar IncentivesAnn Arbor Specialized Solar Services
We don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” solar. Every project we handle in Ann Arbor is custom-engineered to maximize energy production based on your specific roof, local shade patterns, and power needs. By combining high-efficiency hardware with smart software, we help you transition from being a utility customer to being a power producer.
Residential Solar Installation
Solar is the foundation of a modern, smart home. Our residential systems are designed to give you total control over your monthly bills and protect you from the rising costs of energy in Michigan.
- Custom Design: We use advanced 3D modeling to design systems that fit the unique architecture of Ann Arbor neighborhoods, from the Old West Side to modern new builds.
- Real-Time Monitoring: View your system’s performance, energy production, and home usage right from your smartphone.
- Energy Independence: Reduce your reliance on the grid and lock in your energy costs for the next 25 years.
Commercial Solar Installation
For local businesses and organizations, solar is a powerful way to turn a roof into a revenue-generating asset. While residential credits have changed, commercial and nonprofit projects in 2026 still have access to massive tax advantages that significantly shorten the payback period.
- 30% Federal Tax Credit: Most commercial, agricultural, and nonprofit projects still qualify for the federal investment tax credit.
- Bonus Depreciation: Take advantage of special tax rules that allow businesses to write off their equipment faster, improving immediate cash flow.
- Lower Overhead: Slash operational costs and protect your business from future DTE or Consumers Energy rate hikes
Battery Storage (Tesla Powerwall & Sonnen)
Power outages are becoming more frequent, and a battery is the only way to ensure your home stays online. We specialize in high-capacity storage that integrates perfectly with your solar panels to provide seamless backup when the grid fails.
- Tesla Powerwall 3: Get whole-home backup that can power heavy loads like your AC, well pump, and kitchen appliances during a storm.
- Sonnen Smart Optimization: Use intelligent software to manage your stored power, automatically using battery energy when utility rates are at their highest.
- Local Cash Rebates: Ann Arbor residents can claim between $2,000 and $3,500 in rebates for battery storage through the A2ZERO program.
EV Charger Installation
Driving an electric vehicle is most cost-effective when you charge at home with your own solar power. We install high-speed charging solutions that connect directly to your home’s energy ecosystem.
- High-Speed Level 2 Charging: Charge your vehicle up to 7x faster than a standard wall outlet.
- Solar-to-EV Synergy: Program your system to charge your car specifically when your solar panels are producing peak energy, essentially “fueling” your car for free.
- SPAN Panel Upgrades: We can upgrade your electrical panel to a smart SPAN system, allowing you to manage every circuit in your house from an app.
Your Neighbors Are Going Solar
You’ve likely seen our high-performance solar arrays on homes from the Old West Side to Burns Park. Ann Arbor has become a leader in clean energy, with solar installations growing from just 17 per year to over 180 per year since 2020. At Strawberry Solar, we don’t just install panels; we help build a more resilient community through programs like Solarize Ann Arbor and the A2ZERO initiative.
Project Spotlight: Saline, MI (Ann Arbor Metro)
This ground-mounted solar and battery storage system in Saline, MI was designed to maximize energy independence for a single-family home with a complex existing electrical setup. The primary goals were to drastically reduce grid reliance, provide whole-home backup power during outages, and generate enough clean energy to fully offset (and exceed) the home’s annual consumption.
As a Michigan-based team, our engineers design every system around the demands of a Michigan winter. This ground-mounted array is designed to handle the varying Michigan weather year round. From there, our master electricians took over: they managed the full site build including hiring private utility locators, excavating a trenching to reach the home’s basement electrical systems, and adapting the installation to work with the property’s unique needs, resulting in a more efficient solution that many installers wouldn’t attempt. From engineering to final hookup, this was a true turnkey project handled entirely in-house.
The Neighborhood: A classic home in Ann Arbor’s Old West Side.
The System: A 12 kW custom solar array paired with a Tesla Powerwall 3 for whole-home backup.
The Goal: The homeowners wanted to eliminate their monthly DTE bill and ensure their home stayed online during Michigan’s winter storms.
The Result: This system now produces 100% of the home’s electricity. The owners are even using their extra solar power to “fuel” their electric vehicle for free every day.
Hear More From Ann Arbor Residents About Us
Residential Home
Solar Panels & Battery Storage
We started this process in October 2021, contract signed August 2022, and final install finished January 2023. We had numerous design changes from our standpoint (and some delays with city/county approvals) and at no point were we pressured or felt frustration from anyone at Strawberry. Gunnar handled most of the contact and design and was fantastic to work with. He was extremely attentive/responsive to all our questions. Not once did we get the sense he was trying to sell us anything – he had a much more educational approach and was happy to entertain all my hypotheticals.
Kenan and Mason (as well as the rest of the electricians) were extremely knowledgeable and able to troubleshoot and address issues that arose with the complicated system. We had to rearrange several circuits given our multiple panels and geothermal system – they navigated everything with ease. Whenever we’ve had any type of electrical issue, even if not related to the Solar install, I do not hesitate to reach out and they have always been extremely responsive. Tim was great in setting up and troubleshooting issues with the integration of all our systems.
Overall, fantastic experience. I know this was not an easy install, and Strawberry handled it well. I would work with anyone at Strawberry again in a heartbeat and highly recommend them.”
Ann Arbor Solar FAQs
How much do solar panels cost in Ann Arbor?
The total solar panel cost in Ann Arbor depends on your energy goals and roof size. While the residential federal tax credit ended in 2025, many homeowners find that local rebates and lower monthly bills make solar a smarter investment than ever. We provide free, transparent quotes so you know exactly what your “break-even” point will be.
What are the best solar incentives in Michigan for 2026?
For residential projects, the best incentives are now found at the local level. In 2026, the Ann Arbor A2ZERO program offers rebates of $2,000 – $3,500 for battery storage and up to $2,000 for electrical panel upgrades. Business and farm owners can also still access Federal Business Solar Tax Credits and USDA REAP grants.
Does solar increase my Ann Arbor property taxes?
Typically, no. Under Michigan’s Mathieu-Gast exclusion, qualifying residential solar systems are excluded from your home’s “true cash value” for tax assessments. This means you can add value and equity to your home without seeing your property tax bill spike solely because of the solar panels.
Ready to Own Your Power?
Stop renting your electricity from the utility and start producing your own clean energy. Fill out the form below to see how much you can save with solar panels in Ann Arbor.
[FORM]
Find us on Google
4444 2nd Ave,
Detroit MI, 48201
Email: sales@strawberrysolar.com
Phone: (313) 960-7900
Hours: 8AM-5PM (Monday to Friday)