Ground Mount Solar Panels & Battery Storage
BUDGET
~$66,000
(over $23k in credits & incentives)
PROJECT COMPLETED
January 2023
SYSTEM SIZE
15.68 kW DC
Project Overview
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.
“System has been up around 12 months, overall production has been consistent with the initial estimate from the proposal.“
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.
— Nicolas D.
Saline, MI
Project Planning
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.
Custom design engineered to withstand Michigan’s 20 PSF snow load and 115 MPH wind speeds
Hired private utility locators to mark underground water lines before breaking ground – protecting both the property and neighboring wells
Managed complex site logistics, including carefully removed and palletized sections of brick paver stones and 110 ft of 18-inch deep trenching to connect the ground array to the home’s basement electrical systems
Adapted installation to accommodate a dual 200A panel setup without combining utility meters – the most efficient configuration for this home
Managed DTE interconnection filing and all local permitting with Saline Township Building and Zoning, handled entirely in-house
A note on the electrical complexity
This home runs on two separate 200A electrical panels – one residential, one dedicated to a geothermal heat pump system. Rather than combining the meters (which would have eliminated the homeowner’s access to DTE’s specialized geothermal rate structure), our master electricians designed a solution that kept both panels on independent meters while still connecting the solar and battery backup system to the whole home. It required rerouting multiple circuits between panels and a detailed 40-step electrical scope, but the result is a more efficient and financially advantageous setup than a standard installation would have achieved.
Proposal & Design
This system was designed from scratch for this property, not adapted from a template. The permit plan set was engineered and stamped by a licensed Michigan structural engineer, accounting for the specific soil conditions, local load requirements, and the property’s unique dual-panel electrical configuration. On the electrical side, a Strawberry Solar’s licensed master electrician, developed and executed a detailed scope covering array wiring, full site electrical integration, battery installation, communications, and permitting. Every permit, interconnection filing with DTE, and inspection was handled in-house from start to finish.
PANELS
32-panel array
490W · 20.9% efficiency · 30-yr linear performance warranty
RACKING
Mid-America Solar pile-driven ground mount
No poured concrete · hydraulic post driver · made in Michigan
OPTIMIZERS
32 × SolarEdge P505
Module-level MPPT · 98.6% weighted efficiency · 25-yr warranty
INVERTERS
2× SolarEdge SE10000H-US
99% weighted efficiency · 25-yr extended warranty · PRISM technology
BATTERY STORAGE
2× LG RESU16H Prime
16 kWh usable each · 32 kWh total · 7 kW continuous output per unit
TILT / AZIMUTH
30° tilt · 180° azimuth
Optimized for max solar capture
Backup interface
Whole-home Backup
SolarEdge BI-EUSGN-01 · 200A max · seamless grid-outage switchover
Benefits & Impact
This 15.68 kW system was modeled against the home’s actual monthly consumption data. In its first year, it is projected to generate 19,417 kWh of clean energy – more than the home consumes annually – while providing whole-home backup power through 32 kWh of combined battery storage.
106%
Consumption offset in year one
19,417 kWh
Estimated clean energy generated annually
$28,962
Projected lifetime utility savings
Environmental equivalent: replacing 754 barrels of oil, planting 8,312 trees, or removing 3 vehicles from the road.
Solar incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost of a system like this. Michigan homeowners have access to a range of federal, state, and utility-based programs – see what’s currently available.
The Solar Project Team
Gunnar Grosbeck
Sales & system design
Tim Doherty
Project Manager
Ready to see what's possible for your home?
Free site assessment · No pressure · Michigan-based team