Ann Arbor Solar Permit Guide
DTE Energy territory · Washtenaw County
Overview
GridPermit collects Michigan residential solar and permitting facts directly from official sources (city, county, and state government sites, utilities, and public utilities commissions) and shows only what we can verify, with a confidence score and a link to where it came from. Nothing here is estimated or inferred beyond what's stated below. See our methodology for the rules this page follows.
Permit timeline
35–42 days
This is DTE Energy's own stated 'typical 5-6 week timeline to Permission to Operate' under the Rider 18 Distributed Generation Program interconnection process (5-6 weeks converted to 35-42 days) — a utility interconnection timeline, not the City of Ann Arbor's own permit review timeline, which the City's page does not separately state (though it describes its process as expedited relative to standard permitting).
Battery/solar incentive program on record
No battery/storage incentive program is on record for this locality.
Permit fees
- City solar permit fees (line item solar fees, application fees, plan reviews): $0 (waived for approved projects under the expedited process)
Per the City's own page, verbatim: 'we do not charge for line item solar fees, application fees, or plan reviews' for approved residential solar projects.
- DTE Energy Rider 18 interconnection application fee, Category 1 (systems ≤20kW): $50 (flat fee)
Per DTE Energy's own interconnection process page — this is a utility interconnection fee, separate from the City's $0 permitting fee.
Rebates
Not yet verified.
Utility and generation supplier
Utility
DTE Energy
Generation supplier
DTE Energy (utility)
No Community Choice Aggregator was found serving Ann Arbor's residential solar customers this session; DTE Energy is recorded as both the distribution and default generation utility.
Interconnection
DTE Energy's traditional Net Metering program closed to new applications on 2019-05-09. Current interconnection runs through the 'Rider 18 Distributed Generation Program' (approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission), which most residential systems (Category 1, up to 20kW) enter via a $50 interconnection application fee with a typical 5-6 week timeline to Permission to Operate. Applications are submitted through DTE's PowerClerk-based portal (dteinterconnect.powerclerk.com); customers must obtain a signed Parallel Operating Agreement before DTE's site visit and install an externally located, taggable disconnect switch within 5 feet of the meter. The system must stay off until DTE completes inspection and testing. Existing Rider 16 (legacy net metering) customers convert to Rider 18 upon their 10-year net-metering anniversary.
Required documents
- Electric permit (the only permit required for most residential rooftop installations under the expedited process) (required when: always)
- Roof access and ventilation documentation, per the City's own PDF guide (required when: always)
- An additional permit for compliance review (including all-black panels/hardware requirements) (required when: properties in a historic district)
Inspection steps
Not yet verified.
Eligibility constraints
- Property types: residential
- Max system size (AC): 20 kW
- Max system size (DC): Not yet verified.
- Max thermal capacity: Not yet verified.
- Program/pathway: Expedited electric-permit-only process (excludes systems with battery storage)
- Other conditions:
- Residential rooftop solar installations WITH battery storage are not eligible for the expedited permitting program
- Properties in a historic district require an additional permit, with requirements including all-black panels and hardware
- The 20kW figure recorded here reflects DTE's Rider 18 Category 1 threshold (the tier most residential systems fall under), not a separate City permit-eligibility limit
Official contacts
- Energy Coordinator, phone: 734-794-6000, email: cdailey@a2gov.org, official website
Need a solar installer who handles permits in Ann Arbor?
EnergySage is an independent solar marketplace where you can request property-specific pricing from installers familiar with local permitting.
Compare quotes from solar installers →You'll continue on EnergySage's website. GridPermit has a partner relationship with EnergySage; this link is not currently tracked, and whether the partnership results in compensation to GridPermit has not yet been confirmed.
Sources
- Solar in Ann Arbor, City of Ann Arbor, MI (government). Accessed 2026-08-13.
- Interconnection Process, DTE Energy (utility). Accessed 2026-08-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What utility serves solar customers in Ann Arbor, Michigan?
DTE Energy is the interconnection and distribution utility for Ann Arbor. The default electricity generation supplier is DTE Energy, a utility, separate from DTE Energy.
How long does a residential solar permit take in Ann Arbor?
This is DTE Energy's own stated 'typical 5-6 week timeline to Permission to Operate' under the Rider 18 Distributed Generation Program interconnection process (5-6 weeks converted to 35-42 days) — a utility interconnection timeline, not the City of Ann Arbor's own permit review timeline, which the City's page does not separately state (though it describes its process as expedited relative to standard permitting).
What documents are required for a solar permit in Ann Arbor?
Commonly required documents include: Electric permit (the only permit required for most residential rooftop installations under the expedited process); Roof access and ventilation documentation, per the City's own PDF guide; An additional permit for compliance review (including all-black panels/hardware requirements).
Who do I contact about solar permits in Ann Arbor?
Energy Coordinator, phone 734-794-6000, email cdailey@a2gov.org.