GAF Timberline Solar Shingle installed on a roof.

Adding solar is the ultimate conversation starter. The first thing neighbors want to know is “How much did it cost, and did it lower your electric bill?”  

For those who have added solar panels to their MI home, they know the truth about solar and will often sing from the mountaintops about how easy it is to get, and the cost benefit associated with adding solar.  

The best part about solar is the popularity, pricing, and incentives. More Michigan homeowners have been adding solar than ever. This is due to better pricing, technology, and government incentives to help offset up-front costs.  

Kearns Brothers is proud to offer the GAF Timberline Solar Shingle as our solar solution for Michigan homeowners. GAF Solar Shingles are perfect roofing material for homeowners that need to replace their roof. They act as a roof shingle and a solar panel.  

Installing a GAF Timberline Solar roof requires a complete tear off of your existing roof. The solar shingles are then nailed to your roof decking. Timberline solar is the first nailable solar shingle which helps reduce installation time.  

The benefit of rooftop solar shingles is the ease of installation without the obtrusive rack mounting on the roof of your home. The solar shingles carry a dual warranty for a solar shingle and a roofing shingle. This ensures that your roof is protected in two ways.  

Facts About Solar Panels in MI 

Michigan does not have a climate like Florida or Arizona where sun-soaked days are the norm. Michigan is not further south to harness solar energy throughout the year. That said Michigan hits just below average amount of sunny days as other states in America.  

Much like other midwestern states, peak sunshine starts happening from April- July. August, September, and October slowly trend downward from the peak months. The Spring Equinox kicks off a great time for solar production. 

Do not let off peak production get you down. Cloudy days still produce solar in smaller quantities. Additionally, electric consumption may trail off as Michigan homeowners turn to natural gas to heat their homes. 

One important caveat to adding solar panels is the upfront costs. Yes, typically you will pay up-front for installing solar panels, but there is an incentive to add solar in Michigan.  

However, the federal solar credit is built to help offset the cost of solar panels. Homeowners that install a solar energy system may qualify for a 30% tax credit (through 2032). That percentage will drop to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034. Consult with a tax professional to ensure that your solar panel installation meets the requirements set forth by the government  

Everything You Need To Know About Michigan Net Metering 

Net metering as many people know does not exist in Michigan. It was phased out in 2019. That said, homeowners can still sell back their excess energy but at a lower rate than what was available under net metering. There is a push within Michigan’s government to re-instate net metering, but it is not available at this time of writing.  

Homeowners do have an option to add a battery storage system to store their solar energy. If a battery system is present, it will act like a back-up generator and only pull electricity out when needed.  

Do Solar Panels Need Direct Sunlight? 

Solar panels work best under direct sunlight. When looking to install solar, homeowners need to be conscious of tree cover and neighboring homes that may shade parts of your roof.  

Michigan averages 4 hours of peak sunlight daily. The hours of 11 AM-3 PM are the best hours for solar production in Michigan. It is preferred that your solar panels receive direct sunlight during these hours.  

Parts of your roof may be shaded throughout the day. Keep in mind that as the earth rotates, shaded parts of your roof may start to receive direct sunlight. These areas could be good candidates for small sections of solar.  

Will Solar Shingles Work During Michigan Winters? 

Michigan sees its share of dreary winter days. Sunny days still generate solar power. It is important to note that winter days will produce less solar than summer days. While it will not be soaring levels of sunlight harvested, the amount generated will still knock a little off your winter electric bill.  

Advantages of Solar Shingles 

  • Generate Electricity and Power Your Home- using your roof space to help lower utility bills feels like a no brainer. It is a space that has not typically been used for much so leveraging the area to transform your home into a green energy generating home is a skillful use of space.  

  • Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels- solar energy is a renewable energy source. As long as the sun comes up, your roof can generate solar energy. 

  • Michigan Electric Rates Are Not Going Down- electricity costs in Michigan are roughly 19% higher than the national average. This does not even factor in the electric price hikes that Michigan homeowners are familiar with. Adding solar lets homeowners generate clean energy while lowering their utility bills by offsetting energy costs.  

  • Panels Last For Up To 25 Years- If there are price increases for electricity every year, what kind of energy production will your home have over 25 years? The installed cost for solar panels may seem like a distant memory after years of solar generation. 

  • Solar Tax Credit- why not take advantage of free money to offset the costs of adding solar panels? 

Do Solar Panels Increase Property Value in Michigan? 

According to a study from The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar panels can increase your home value by $20 for every $1 saved using solar panels. What this means is that if you save $500 a year on electricity, your home value will increase by $10,000. 

With energy costs being what they are, homes that have solar panels have a bonus. They are desirable to potential homebuyers. Homes that have solar panels sell 20% faster than homes without panels.  

Additionally, Zillow has found that homes with solar sell for 4% more than homes without.  

Should You Add Solar Shingles to Your Michigan Home?  

There are some pros and cons associated with adding solar shingles to your Michigan home. Homeowners will benefit from lowered utility bills, a sizeable tax break from the government, improved energy efficiency of your home, and decreased reliance on fossil fuels.  

One con against solar shingles is that your roof must be replaced to add solar shingles. There are options out there that do not require a total roof replacement, such as rack mounted solar panels and ground mount solar options. Kearns Brothers only offer solar shingles now, and we would be happy to inspect your roof to see if you are a good fit for them.  

Kearns Brothers Are Top-Rated Michigan Solar and Roofing Contractors 

Kearns Brothers have been serving Michigan for nearly 40 years. We have won Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year in the United States, amongst other accolades. You will not find another solar company that has the breadth of expert roofing knowledge and skill than the team at Kearns Brothers. Contact us today to discuss how our solar shingles can change your roof.