See how much it will cost to install solar panels for your home in Wisconsin
Our estimates used by
Solar power in Wisconsin
Last fact-checked on January 19, 2023, by Catherine Lane
While Wisconsin may have less-than-average sun exposure and a weak renewable portfolio standard (RPS), the combination of net metering, the 26% federal solar tax credit, expensive retail energy rates, and state incentives make going solar in Wisconsin a great investment.
In 2013, the state met its renewable portfolio standard goal of deriving 10% of their energy from renewable sources. Having already met their target, there are no regulations pushing utilities to offer incentives that would expand solar generation.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to go solar in Wisconsin now while there are incentives still available!
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Wisconsin
Wisconsin solar power facts
$2.70 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?6 Years 9 Months
Average payback time
$36,294
Average lifetime savings
?6¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
34¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?5,687 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 4.62kW system
This 4.62kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Wisconsin is $91, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
4
Solar companies in Wisconsin that provide pricing through the Solar-Estimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Wisconsin
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Wisconsin
| System Size | Cash purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,132 | $6,623 |
| 4kw | $7,868 | $8,497 |
| 5kw | $9,450 | $10,206 |
| 6kw | $10,836 | $11,703 |
| 7kw | $12,103 | $13,071 |
| 8kw | $13,216 | $14,273 |
| 9kw | $14,175 | $15,309 |
| 10kw | $14,980 | $16,178 |
How much do solar panels cost in Wisconsin?
$2.70 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$4.08 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Wisconsin?
The advantage of installing solar panels for your home in Wisconsin is that there is a state-mandated net metering law, which is key to making solar a worthwhile investment. Pair that with high electric rates and the available state incentives and you have the potential for great savings when you go solar in Wisconsin.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels for your home in Wisconsin is that there is less overall sunshine in the state per year. This means that a system produces less here than it would in sunnier states, like Arizona. Also, the state’s net metering policy does not have any specific rules, so guidelines vary widely between utilities. You are also not guaranteed to receive the full retail amount for excess generation your system produces.
Despite this, there are still plenty of ways to save that make going solar an excellent choice in Wisconsin.
Enter your details to calculate the potential costs and savings you can receive from installing solar panels for your home.
Best solar companies in Wisconsin
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Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Wisconsin
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Wisconsin
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Madison area solar panels installed on a south-facing 30-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,361kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits, and other solar incentives are available in Wisconsin?
Net metering in Wisconsin
Solar, by its nature, generates the most power during the middle of the day when most people are at work or school and little power is being used in the home. The net metering policy in Wisconsin requires that for every surplus kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy generated by solar, like the excess energy your system creates in the middle of the day, investor-owned and municipal utilities must provide a credit to your bill.
This net excess credit value varies from utility to utility. Some utilities, like Madison Electric and Gas, provide a credit that is equal to the retail rate of electricity. This is great, especially with the high electric prices in Wisconsin. However, some utilities only provide you with the avoided cost rate, which is much lower than retail rates.
Check your utility’s website to find out more about its net metering policy.
Tax exemptions
Wisconsin offers two tax exemptions for solar systems: a sales tax exemption and a property tax exemption.
Under the biogas, solar and wind property tax exemption, 100% of the assessed value of the solar system is exempt from the homeowner’s property taxes.
The sales and use tax exemption prevents the addition of sales and use tax to equipment associated with a solar energy system.
Focus on Energy solar electric system rebate
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable resource program. They serve as a resource for information, financing, and funding for renewable energy and efficiency projects.
Incentives are available through Focus on Energy that are equal to 12% of the installed costs of a system and do not exceed $2,000. Depending on where you live, you may qualify for a higher rebate that does not exceed $4,000.
Check Focus on Energy’s website to find out what you may qualify for.
Wisconsin Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Wisconsin, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Wisconsin using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of how many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Wisconsin
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Wisconsin or Madison ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Wisconsin solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Wisconsin
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Wisconsin can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Focus on Energy Solar Electric Rebate | State | Rebate Program |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Renewable Energy Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Dunn Energy Cooperative - Renewable Rebates Program | Utility | Rebate Program |
| Polk Burnett Electric Cooperative - Renewable Rebates Program | Utility | Rebate Program |
| Madison Electric and Gas - Net Metering | Utility | Net Metering |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
