In short: Ann Arbor is on DTE Electric, whose customers lost about 483 minutes of power each in 2024 with major storms, 159 without (EIA). The city adds its own help: a rebate of up to $3,500 for home batteries, fast permits for simple rooftop solar, and a new city-owned solar-and-battery utility now running a pilot.
This page covers what is specific to Ann Arbor: DTE’s record, the city’s rebates and permits, and local programs. For statewide rules, including how Michigan credits solar exports, see our Michigan energy guide.
Ann Arbor at a glance
- DTE Electric: about 20.1¢ per kWh on average for homes in 2024. Outages: 483 minutes per customer with major events, 159 without; 1.25 interruptions a year (EIA-861, 2024).
- Nearby: Chelsea has its own village utility, and Consumers Energy serves parts of Washtenaw County (EIA-861, 2024).
- Sun: about 3.8 kWh per square meter per day (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,110 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards: Washtenaw County is “relatively high” for cold waves, ice storms, lightning, strong wind and tornadoes (FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025), a step below Wayne County’s “very high” ratings.
- Public charging: 324 ports at 136 locations in Ann Arbor (AFDC, October 3, 2026).
- City battery rebate: $2,000, or $3,500 for income-qualified households, for a contractor-installed battery of at least 13 kWh (City of Ann Arbor A2ZERO, checked October 3, 2026).
Your utility and what it means
- DTE Electric, solar: new systems join DTE’s Distributed Generation program. Power you draw is billed at your rate; power you send back earns an outflow credit based on the power supply part of your rate minus transmission. The standard home rate is Time of Day, with higher prices on weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m.
- DTE Electric, batteries: the MPSC approved a two-year DTE virtual power plant pilot at Veridian at County Farms, a net-zero neighborhood in Ann Arbor. Up to 100 households are paid $105 per kWh of battery, up to $504, for letting DTE use their batteries at peak times (MPSC, September 2026). It is limited to that community for now.
- DTE Electric, EV chargers: a Home EV Charger Rebate for income-qualified households who install an ENERGY STAR or same-brand Level 2 charger; the Overnight Savers rate has a cheaper 1 to 7 a.m. window.
- Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility (A2SEU): approved by voters in November 2024, it is an optional, city-owned utility that puts solar and batteries on homes while they stay connected to DTE. Its pilot in the Bryant neighborhood had systems on more than 80 homes by September 2026; citywide installations are expected from 2027.
Backup power in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor shares DTE’s outage record: about 2.7 hours without power on ordinary days in 2024 and about 8 hours once major storms are counted (EIA). DTE-wide storms in 2026 were large, with 164,000 customer outages on March 13 and 492,000 after the July 3 thunderstorms, some lasting days in summer heat (MPSC). Tree-lined streets help explain it: falling limbs are the leading cause of outages in Michigan, the MPSC says.
For short outages, a portable power station keeps a fridge, router and CPAP going. For winter storms, a home battery can run the furnace blower and sump pump, and the city rebate lowers the cost. For long ones, a natural gas standby generator is the fuel-based option. Compare them in backup power options and size your system with the battery backup calculator or the generator sizing tool. When outages run long, DTE customers get an automatic $44-a-day credit after 16, 48 or 96 hours depending on how widespread the outage is (MPSC, September 2026).
Safety first: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says generators belong outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, with exhaust pointed away from windows, doors and vents, never in a garage. Put battery-backed carbon monoxide alarms on every level. A licensed electrician must install the transfer switch; see generator installation.
Solar in Ann Arbor
Panels here make about 1,110 kWh a year per kW by our rough estimate. Used at home, each kWh saves about 20¢ on DTE’s 2024 average, roughly $220 a year per kW; exports earn less, so size to your own use (an estimate). The city points out that the federal 25D credit ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so leave it out of 2026 math.
Ann Arbor makes buying easier in three ways. Solarize groups let neighbors buy together for tiered installer discounts. The city lists financing through Michigan Saves. And the A2SEU offers a path for homeowners who would rather not own the equipment, once it opens beyond the pilot. The city also warns that door-to-door sellers have falsely claimed to represent the A2SEU; the utility and its vendors do not go door to door. Run your numbers with the solar potential tool and the solar savings calculator, and read solar installation.
Batteries in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is one of the few places in Michigan where a city pays toward a home battery. The A2ZERO Home Energy Rebate covers a contractor-installed battery of at least 13 kWh: $2,000, or $3,500 for households at or below 120% of area median income, capped at 90% of cost. Reserve the rebate first; you then have 90 days to finish. A panel upgrade can earn $1,000 or $2,000 more. Funds come from the 2022 climate millage and can run out, so check the program page. Across DTE, about one in four reported home solar systems had a battery in 2024 (EIA). See home battery installation and home battery cost.
EV charging in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor has 324 public charging ports (AFDC, October 3, 2026), a lot for a city its size. At about 30 kWh per 100 miles and DTE’s 20.1¢ average, home charging costs roughly $6 per 100 miles, less overnight on a time-of-day rate (an estimate). The city’s own EV rebates were fully reserved as of August 17, 2026, with a waitlist. A Level 2 charger needs a licensed electrician and an electrical permit. See EV charger installation and the EV charging cost calculator.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Ann Arbor: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Permits and inspections
- City of Ann Arbor: most residential solar gets expedited permitting: only an electric permit, with no solar, application or plan-review fees. Rooftop solar with battery storage is not eligible for the fast track, so allow more time.
- Townships around Ann Arbor: your township or county building department issues permits.
- Utility approval: DTE must approve solar and battery interconnection. Condo and HOA rules apply too; the city has a toolkit for HOAs considering solar.
Cities we cover
- Ann Arbor
Get help
Are you a licensed installer in Ann Arbor? Join SolutionEnergy and get requests from homeowners and businesses →
Tell us about your project and we will connect you with a licensed, independent installer who serves the Ann Arbor area. It is free, there is no obligation, and only the installer you choose gets your details. Read how it works.
Ann Arbor energy FAQ
Does Ann Arbor offer a rebate for home batteries?
Yes. The city’s A2ZERO Home Energy Rebate pays $2,000, or $3,500 for income-qualified households, for a contractor-installed battery of at least 13 kWh, up to 90% of the cost. Reserve funds before you start; amounts and availability can change.
What is the Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility?
An optional, city-owned utility approved by voters in 2024. It installs solar and batteries at participating homes, which stay connected to DTE. A pilot in the Bryant neighborhood had more than 80 homes by September 2026, with citywide service expected from 2027. Its vendors do not sell door to door.
How fast can I get a solar permit in Ann Arbor?
Most residential rooftop systems qualify for the city’s expedited process: one electric permit, no solar or plan-review fees. Adding a battery takes the project out of the fast track, so expect a fuller review.
Can I join DTE’s battery program in Ann Arbor?
Only if you live in Veridian at County Farms, where the MPSC approved a two-year pilot for up to 100 homes in September 2026. Elsewhere, ask DTE about future programs and look at the city battery rebate.
Sources
Utilities, prices, outages and battery counts: U.S. Energy Information Administration, EIA-861 data for 2024. DTE pilot, storms and outage credits: Michigan Public Service Commission, July and September 2026. City of Ann Arbor: Solar in Ann Arbor, A2ZERO rebates and Sustainable Energy Utility pages. DTE rate card (February 2025 edition) and EV rebate page. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Charging: Alternative Fuels Data Center. Generator safety: CPSC. All checked October 3, 2026.