Why Michigan needs rooftop solar and what is standing in the way

As a homeowner or small business in Michigan, you’ve decided to install rooftop solar on your property. Better check with your local utility first because you might have to wait in line.

Why? Because Michigan is one of the only states in the country to place a limit on the number of homeowners and businesses that can install rooftop solar.

Sound ridiculous? It is.

The good news is, we can change that if we change our outdated law on solar energy.

Michigan’s outdated cap on rooftop solar

House Bill 4236 would eliminate Michigan’s arbitrary and outdated 1% cap on rooftop solar. The bill is pending in the House Energy Committee, which is comprised of these legislators.

Michigan’s clean energy sector continues to be a bright spot for our state, employing more than 100,000 people and generating $5 billion toward our economy.

Why cap and limit that potential?  Because big utilities want to control our energy.

Looking to the future, the state that put the world on wheels will see more and more electric vehicles that need to be plugged in at these homes and businesses.

Ford announced it will partner with solar companies to install an all-in-one solar system that will power its Ford F-150 Lighting and other electric vehicles. General Motors has also announced major plans to build more electric cars, trucks and SUVs.

This is all good news for Michigan because it will create jobs, opportunities and new investment.

However, unless Michigan changes its outdated law to eliminate the cap on rooftop solar, homeowners and businesses will not be able to benefit from this integrated energy system.

Why Michigan needs more solar energy

Solar is a renewable energy that reduces dangerous pollution, reduces asthma and lung disease and protects the Great Lakes.

Michigan has the highest electricity rates in the Midwest, which is also why we need to embrace the cost-saving potential of solar.

Eliminating Michigan’s outdated cap on rooftop solar energy is a win for consumers who want to power their homes, businesses and vehicles with clean, renewable energy.

And please don’t believe big utility lies about solar. As usual, Michigan’s major utilities — DTE Energy and Consumers Energy — are talking out of both sides of their mouths. Recently, they claimed to support raising the cap on rooftop solar while also perpetuating the false claim that non-solar customers, including low-income customers, would subsidize the cost for those choosing solar. That’s plain wrong, and the know it.

Michigan doesn’t allow for subsidies on rooftop solar since the law was changed in 2016.

Call your lawmaker today and urge them to scrap the cap on solar energy for homeowners and small businesses.