Kalamazoo Residents Organize Solarize Initiative as Federal Incentives Shrink and Utility Rates Soar
KALAMAZOO — As DTE Energy continues to file annual rate increase requests and federal solar tax credits disappear under the Trump administration, residents across Michigan are turning to grassroots organizing to make renewable energy more affordable. The Solarize program has now expanded to Kalamazoo, joining Grand Rapids, Lansing, Oakland County, Washtenaw County, and Wayne County in offering group discounts on residential solar installations.
"There wasn't really a champion to push Solarize forward," said Woody Gontina, a Kalamazoo resident who recently installed a solar-and-battery system through the program. "I had the time and the interest to do it, and I also understood that the city was very challenged in terms of resources and didn't have the time to meet an initiative like that."
Gontina's experience during a recent five-day power outage brought on by an early spring storm proved the value of his 5.4-kilowatt solar-and-battery-storage system. His house remained lit throughout the outage, while neighbors without solar struggled in the dark.
"Because of the solar and the battery, we had our whole house powered day and night throughout that outage," Gontina recalled. "As we see our energy costs continuing to rise, that's really the biggest argument for renewables. Our electric provider, DTE, has demonstrated that they will not stop continuing to ask for increases at a regular pace until there's something legislatively done to stop that."
Grassroots Origins, Statewide Expansion
The Solarize program traces its origins to 2009, when residents in Portland, Oregon, began hosting neighborhood seminars with local contractors to learn about residential solar panel installation. The program rapidly expanded Portland's solar footprint, according to a report from the Energy Trust of Oregon.
Ann Arbor energy manager and resident Julie Roth was among the first to bring Solarize to Michigan, launching the program in her neighborhood in 2019. At the time, Roth was interested in installing solar panels but concerned about high upfront costs and the wide range of contractor quotes.
"I pitched it to my solar installer," said Roth. "I said, 'Well, what do you think if I get a bunch of people here and we all do it together. Would you give us a discount?' He said, 'Sure,' and came up with a sort of discount structure."
After sending out invites on Nextdoor and Facebook, Roth was surprised by the turnout. She expected only three people to show up to the first meeting at her house. Instead, 40 residents attended. Within a year, about a dozen people from that night installed solar panel systems on their homes.
"It basically started because we were trying to overcome barriers to adoption," Roth said. "We didn't have any staff. It started as a volunteer thing. We didn't have any money, and so with no resources and very little bandwidth, what can you do?"
Now overseen by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, the Solarize program has expanded to multiple Michigan cities and counties. City and county officials have taken over administering the program to homeowners and businesses, providing professional support and expanding outreach.
"We really want to position ourselves as a resource, as an advocate, and relationship builder," said Julie Lyons Bricker, chief sustainability officer for Oakland County, one of the latest counties to adopt the Solarize program. Since launching in 2021, the county's Sustainability Office has focused on both improving energy efficiency across Oakland's 62 cities, townships, and villages and guiding homeowners and businesses toward available incentives.
Group Discounts Save Residents 5-15 Percent on Installation Costs
Groups of residents using the Solarize program can be matched with GLREA-approved vendors and receive a bulk discount of 5 to 15 percent on their solar panel purchases. The program has proven successful in communities across Michigan.
Ann Arbor has averaged 180 residential solar installations annually since launching its Solarize program in 2019, up from 17 per year previously. The success of the program has attracted attention from county governments and statewide organizations seeking to broaden its appeal.
The program offers several advantages to residents:
- 5-15 percent discounts on solar panel installations through group buying
- Access to GLREA-approved vendors who meet quality standards
- Educational resources about solar installation and maintenance
- Community organizing that builds local support for renewable energy
- Shared expertise among neighbors considering solar
Federal Incentives Shrink, State Programs Fill the Gap
The expansion of Solarize to Kalamazoo and other Michigan communities comes at a critical time. Federal solar tax credits ended in 2025 under the Trump administration, and solar installations have declined nationally. However, business incentives remain available through 2027, providing opportunities for commercial and industrial solar projects.
While federal support has shrunk, advocates of Solarize continue to encourage residents and businesses to take advantage of remaining opportunities and embrace renewable energy sources amid utility rate hikes. The program addresses a key barrier to adoption: the high upfront cost of residential solar systems.
"As we see our energy costs continuing to rise, that's really the biggest argument for renewables," Gontina said. "Our electric provider, DTE, has demonstrated that they will not stop continuing to ask for increases at a regular pace until there's something legislatively done to stop that."
What's Next for Solarize in Kalamazoo and Beyond
The Solarize program in Kalamazoo, now administered by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, offers residents the same benefits available in other Michigan communities. The program continues to grow as more residents recognize the value of community organizing to make renewable energy accessible.
Organizations involved in the Solarize program include:
- Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA)
- Citizens Utility Board of Michigan
- Oakland County Sustainability Office
- Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability & Innovation
Residents interested in learning more about Solarize in Kalamazoo can contact the GLREA or attend upcoming Solarize events in the area. The program represents an important grassroots effort to make renewable energy more accessible across Michigan as federal support shrinks and utility rates continue to climb.