In this guide
Short answer: not yet. As of October 22, 2026, Michigan has no plug-in solar law. HB 5764 would allow kits of up to 1,200 W without utility approval, with a notice to the utility within 30 days, but it was still in the House Energy Committee in August 2026. Today, DTE and Consumers Energy require interconnection approval for a grid-tied kit.
- Status
- Bill in committee; not law
- Bill
- HB 5764 (Rep. Will Snyder, bipartisan)
- Proposed cap
- 1,200 W, standard 120-volt outlet
- Proposed notice
- Tell the utility within 30 days
- Average price
- About 23.1¢/kWh (July 2026)
What HB 5764 would do
Rep. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) introduced the bill in March 2026 with Democratic and Republican co-sponsors. As reported in August 2026, it would:
- allow plug-in systems of up to 1,200 W through a standard 120-volt outlet, mainly to supply your own use;
- require certified inverters that shut down during a blackout;
- bar utilities from requiring advance approval, interconnection fees or extra equipment;
- require you to notify your utility within 30 days of installation.
That is close to Maine's and Maryland's approach. See how plug-in laws work.
Session deadline
Michigan's 2025–2026 legislative session ends on December 31, 2026. As of August, the bill had no committee vote and no recorded opposition from DTE or Consumers Energy. If it doesn't pass by year-end, it would need to be reintroduced in 2027. We'll update the state map.
What applies today
DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and the state's co-ops and municipal utilities connect customer solar through Michigan's distributed generation rules: application first, approval before you switch on. Read do you need to tell your utility?
Plugging an unapproved grid-tied kit into an outlet in a state without a law may break your utility's terms of service, your lease and possibly your insurance terms. It also earns nothing for exported power.
Michigan winters
December output in Michigan can be a fifth of June's, and snow covers flat panels. Vertical railing mounts shed snow and catch the low winter sun better. See does balcony solar work in winter?
What a kit could save in Michigan
Michigan's average residential price was about 23 cents per kWh in July 2026 (EIA), the highest in the Midwest, which makes plug-in solar attractive despite modest sunshine.
| Setup | Produced per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~300 kWh | ~$66 |
| 800 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade | ~600 kWh | ~$112 |
| 800 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~960 kWh | ~$177 |
| 1,200 W kit, tilted south, no shade | ~1,440 kWh | ~$216 |
Estimates assume you use 80% of the output (95% for 400 W, 65% for 1,200 W) at 23.1¢/kWh. Try your numbers with the calculator, preset for Michigan.
Frequently asked questions
Is balcony solar legal in Michigan?
Not under a specific law. HB 5764, introduced in March 2026 by Rep. Will Snyder with bipartisan co-sponsors, would allow plug-in solar up to 1,200 W, but it was still in the House Energy Committee without a vote as of August 2026.
What would Michigan's HB 5764 require?
Systems up to 1,200 W plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, certified inverters that shut down in a blackout, and a notice to your utility within 30 days of installation. Utilities couldn't require advance approval, interconnection fees or extra equipment.
Can I use plug-in solar with DTE or Consumers Energy now?
Only through their distributed generation interconnection process, which requires an application and approval. Plugging in an unapproved grid-tied kit may break your service terms.
Is balcony solar worth it in Michigan's climate?
Often yes, because of high prices. At about 23 cents per kWh, a well-placed 800 W kit could save roughly $110 to $180 a year, even with dark winters.
Update log
- Page published. Status: bill in House Energy Committee.
Sources and official texts