At Strawberry Solar, we are committed to making solar energy accessible, affordable, and worry free. Browse our frequently asked questions below, which we continuously update as we get new questions from our customers.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, our team is always ready to provide clear, straightforward guidance tailored to your needs. Contact us using this form or calling (313) 960-7900.
About Strawberry Solar
Strawberry Solar is locally rooted in Michigan and committed to providing tailored solar energy solutions designed for our region’s climate and energy needs. We combine transparent project planning, high-quality equipment, and long-term support so that your system delivers dependable savings for decades. Our clients appreciate our focus on education, service, and making the solar journey stress free from start to finish.
We offer complete solar energy solutions, including system design, permitting, installation, and ongoing monitoring. In addition to rooftop solar, we provide ground-mount systems, battery storage integration, EV charger installation, and assistance with financing and incentives. Our turnkey process ensures you don’t have to juggle multiple contractors. We handle everything under one roof.
System Design
We evaluate each property through a site assessment that considers roof orientation, shading, structural condition, and your historical energy usage. Even if your roof isn’t ideal, ground-mount and hybrid options may still make solar a fit for your property.
We review your electricity bills, analyze seasonal consumption, and assess the physical space available for panels. The goal is to design a system that offsets as much of your energy use as possible without oversizing or overspending. The utility company will have final say in how large of a system you can install based on your previous 12 months of electricity consumption.
Yes. We have solutions for a wide variety of roof types, including asphalt shingle, standing seam metal, and flat roofs. In cases where the roof condition isn’t suitable, we’ll recommend replacing your roof before install, reinforcement or ground-mounted alternatives.
Installation & Timeline
We aim to keep our solar installation process straightforward and stress-free. Once you approve the system design, we handle all permitting, coordinate with the utility, and schedule installation. Our licensed team completes the physical installation. After inspections and utility approval, your system is activated, and you’ll begin generating your own clean energy.
The overall process generally takes 6–12 weeks, but can vary by project, season, and other factors such as permitting timelines, utility approvals, and equipment availability. We keep you informed at every stage.
No. We use industry standard mounting systems designed to protect your roof. In fact, panels often extend the life of your roof by shielding the covered portion from the elements.
Costs, Incentives & Financing
Costs vary depending on system size, equipment selection, and whether battery storage or EV charging is included. We provide a detailed proposal outlining system pricing, available tax credits, rebates, and financing options so you know exactly what to expect.
Opportunities may include local utility rebates and net metering or credit programs where available. We’ll walk you through the documentation needed. This includes contracts, invoices, and your utility’s permission to operate notice so you can take full advantage of these savings.
We support a range of payment methods including cash, credit, and check. Many of our customers also finance their solar system through Michigan Saves, a nonprofit green bank that connects homeowners with authorized lenders. As an authorized Michigan Saves contractor, we can provide you with our contractor ID and guide you through the application process. Some homeowners also choose to leverage a refinanced mortgage or HELOC to cover the upgrade. Our team will compare scenarios to help you choose the option that best balances immediate costs and long-term returns.
Payback periods vary, but many of our Michigan customers see a full return on investment within 10-14 years. Choosing the right financing option can shorten or lengthen this timeline. Rising utility rates often accelerate savings over time. With most systems having a lifespan of 30+ years, a new solar array will be a great long-term investment.
Performance, Monitoring & Maintenance
Many systems come with a monitoring platform you can access through a mobile app or web portal. You’ll see real time production data, historical performance, and alerts if anything requires attention. We will walk you through your options here and discuss how you can stay aware of your energy production and usage.
Some maintenance is required, however, panels are designed to be low maintenance. Rain typically keeps them clear of dust and debris. In heavily soiled or snowy areas, occasional cleaning can help maintain peak efficiency.
Most solar panels carry 25 to 30 year performance warranties. Inverters and batteries usually last 10 to 15 years. We design systems with replaceable components for long-term reliability. We also offer a 10 year workmanship warranty on all installations.
Standard grid tied systems automatically shut off for safety. If you choose to add battery storage, you’ll have backup power to run essential appliances or even your entire home during outages.
When solar is installed on your roof and the roof needs to be replaced, call and schedule us to remove the solar array well before the roof is scheduled to be replaced. We can store components for a cost, otherwise we can store them at your home. Once the roof is replaced, we will come back to re-install your solar panels. This would be at a cost for labor and any replaced materials.
Home Value & Resale
Yes. Studies consistently show that homes with solar sell faster and at a premium compared to similar non solar homes. Buyers value the lower utility bills and sustainability benefits. As a Pearl Certified Contractor, the added equity from our installations will always be considered in a sale or refinance.
The solar system typically stays with the home and transfers to the new owner. We provide documentation and warranty information to make the process smooth for both seller and buyer.
Safety & Standards
Yes, we are certified through through many associations and manufacturers, including:
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
- Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
- REC
- Silfab
- Tesla
- Enphase
- Sol-Ark
- SolarEdge
- FranklinWH
We also have received many quality of service awards such as:
- Energysage Installer of the Year for several years running
- Energy Tech Review’s Top Batter Storage Solutions Provider Award
- Michigan Saves Top Performer for Solar PV
Our team includes certified professionals and licensed electricians who follow the highest industry standards. We are fully insured, and safety is our top priority on every project.
Absolutely. All systems are installed according to national and local electrical codes. Once in place, your solar array operates silently and safely, producing only clean electricity.
Technology & Options
We work with top tier manufacturers of high efficiency monocrystalline panels and both string and microinverters. We’ll recommend the best fit based on your energy needs, roof design, and budget.
Yes. Many of our systems are designed to be battery ready, making it easy to add storage in the future as your needs or incentives change.
Yes, we offer both residential solar installation for homeowners and commercial solar for businesses. We design and install systems for commercial buildings, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations looking to reduce overhead and demonstrate sustainability leadership.
Absolutely. We can expand your solar energy system for any reason such as if your energy needs grow, if you purchase an electric vehicle, or add new equipment at home.
Getting Started
Simply contact our team to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your goals, evaluate your property, and provide a customized proposal. From there, you decide the pace, and we handle the details.
You can fill out our free quote form to get started or give us a call at (313) 960-7900.
Yes. We value word of mouth and offer referral incentives. We also work with community solar initiatives when available to expand access to renewable energy.