Solar Panel Calculator for Detroit, MI
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Detroit, MI, using local NREL sunshine data, Michigan prices and electricity rates.
Your result
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Detroit gets about 4.47 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,291 kWh a year. That ranks #91 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jul and is lowest in Dec.
Sunshine in Detroit by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Detroit
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.44 | 520 kWh | $113 |
| Feb | 3.48 | 672 kWh | $146 |
| Mar | 4.20 | 864 kWh | $188 |
| Apr | 5.32 | 1,024 kWh | $223 |
| May | 5.87 | 1,128 kWh | $245 |
| Jun | 6.37 | 1,152 kWh | $250 |
| Jul | 6.60 | 1,216 kWh | $264 |
| Aug | 5.95 | 1,120 kWh | $243 |
| Sep | 5.16 | 960 kWh | $209 |
| Oct | 3.70 | 736 kWh | $160 |
| Nov | 2.63 | 528 kWh | $115 |
| Dec | 1.96 | 408 kWh | $89 |
| Year | 4.47 | 10,328 kWh | $2,244 |
Savings at 21.73¢ per kWh (Michigan average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $2.86 per watt, the Michigan average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $11,440 | $1,122 | 10.4 yrs | $14,993 |
| 6 kW | $17,160 | $1,683 | 10.4 yrs | $22,490 |
| 8 kW | $22,880 | $2,244 | 10.4 yrs | $29,986 |
| 10 kW | $28,600 | $2,805 | 10.4 yrs | $37,483 |
| 12 kW | $34,320 | $3,366 | 10.4 yrs | $44,979 |
How many panels you need in Detroit
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 4.65 kW | 12 |
| 750 kWh | 6.97 kW | 18 |
| 1,000 kWh | 9.30 kW | 24 |
| 1,500 kWh | 13.94 kW | 35 |
| 2,000 kWh | 18.59 kW | 47 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,291 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Detroit?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $22,880 before incentives, saves about $2,244 in its first year and pays back in about 10.4 years.
How many peak sun hours does Detroit get?
About 4.47 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 2.0 in Dec to 6.6 in Jul, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Detroit?
About 1,291 kWh a year, or 108 kWh a month on average.
Is there a federal solar tax credit?
Not for homeowners who buy their system. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Sources
- NREL PVWatts V8 API (south-facing, 20° tilt, 14% losses, typical-year weather): https://developer.nlr.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- EnergySage, Solar panel cost by state (updated November 6, 2026): https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (residential price, Jan–Aug 2026): https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_b