Wisconsin Solar Incentives

Wisconsin is known for its high quality of life, strong community values, and cheese production. Resident “Cheeseheads” also love the outdoors and take pride in preserving the state’s natural beauty and heritage. This commitment to nature is reflected in the state’s conservation efforts and the lifestyle choices of its people, so it’s no wonder interest in going solar is soaring. The combination of reduced costs, federal tax credits, and state solar incentives have made solar energy an affordable and practical choice for Wisconsin homeowners.

If you are considering going solar and you live in Wisconsin, there are compelling reasons to make the switch. We’ll explore the attractive Wisconsin state and federal incentives which significantly reduce the upfront costs associated with a rooftop solar panel installation.

Wisconsin Solar Incentives

Homeowners in Wisconsin can take advantage of several solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) gives U.S. homeowners, including those in Wisconsin, a 30% tax credit on the cost of installing a solar system and batteries in their homes. This significantly reduces the upfront costs of your solar power system. It’s important to note a tax credit is dependent on an individual owing federal taxes to receive a credit or reduction to their taxes—however, the credit can roll over from year to year.

Wisconsin-specific solar incentives include the solar sales tax exemption, which exempts all solar equipment from sales tax and typically equals 5% savings, averaging about $900 per solar panel system installed. Rooftop solar systems are also exempt from property taxes, which means you won’t pay additional taxes due to the increased value of your home after you invest in a solar panel system. Solar access laws also protect citizens’ access to sunlight by not allowing neighbors to obstruct sunlight or Homeowner’s Association (HOAs) to keep homeowners from adding solar panels to their homes.

Alliant Energy and We Energies offer a solar reward, called “The Focus on Energy Rewards”. This program offers a flat rate of $500 as reimbursement to offset permitting and interconnection costs to homeowners who go solar

Net metering is also available and allows individuals who generate their own electricity through their solar power systems to receive utility bill credits for any excess energy they contribute back to the utility grid. For details on how this incentive works in Wisconsin visit the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.

Cost of Going Solar in Wisconsin

Solar power systems can now be designed to meet most, if not all, of your home’s electricity requirements and lead to significant savings over the lifetime of the system. The cost of a solar panel system in Wisconsin varies based on several factors, including size which will be determined by your current electricity consumption and expected future energy needs. No matter the final cost of your solar panel system, you can receive a federal tax credit of 30% of the total price.

It’s also important to consider that over the past decade, the price of solar installations has significantly decreased—by more than 50%—making solar energy more accessible, while electricity rates through utility companies continue to climb year after year.

Wisconsin Electricity Use

Average electricity bills in Wisconsin range from $93 to $176 per month, which equals about 700 to 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month. At the higher end, a household typically spends a little over $2,000 per year on electricity, which quickly adds up year over year.

Wisconsin also ranks among the top five states with the steepest average electricity rates over the past 25 years. With an average 3.3% annual increase in costs, homeowners’ expenses rise even higher. Installing solar panels can significantly reduce these power costs while creating clean, renewable energy. Over the lifetime of a solar panel system, the average homeowner could save around $28,700.

Solar Conditions in Wisconsin

Wisconsin averages 190 sunny days per year and despite a reputation for cold, blustery winters, solar panels are efficient and work well. Winter weather should not dissuade homeowners from moving to solar. According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, here’s how solar panels perform in winter weather:

• Without Snow: Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels can operate more efficiently in cold temperatures, so Wisconsin’s cooler winter climate can actually enhance overall performance.
• With Light Snow: A light dusting of snow has minimal impact on solar panels because the wind can easily blow it off, and sunlight can still penetrate to generate electricity.
• With Heavy Snow: While heavy snowfall can prevent solar panels from generating power, as soon as the snow starts to slide off, even if only a small portion of the solar panel is exposed, electricity production can resume.

Solar panels are designed to perform in all seasons and provide a reliable and sustainable energy solution for both your household and the environment all year long.

Adding Solar on Your Wisconsin Home

At Blue Raven Solar we’re committed to helping homeowners across the state of Wisconsin easily make the switch to solar by helping you find Wisconsin solar incentives. Our expert teams will assess your unique needs, optimize your home’s potential for solar efficiency, and guide you through a smooth transition to clean, renewable energy. We’re with you at every milestone, from installation to maximizing the solar financial incentives offered by federal and state programs.

Trust us for reliable home solar solutions which will reduce your energy costs for years to come and have a positive impact on the environment. As the globe embraces solar power as a dependable energy source, we’re proud to help you join the clean power revolution.