Wisconsin might be America’s Dairy Land, but it produces more than just cheese – more Wisconsinites than ever are generating electricity for their homes with solar panels. Whether you live in Green Bay or Milwaukee, you can save thousands on your electricity bill with solar thanks to some of the best incentives in the country.
The best way to compare your solar options and save money at the same time is by registering on the EnergySage Marketplace. When you compare quotes for solar panels on EnergySage's competitive solar marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than working with a single solar company. Read our updated article on the cost of solar panels to compare solar costs across states and by panel brand.
Wisconsin solar tax credits and rebates are some of the best in the country
For homeowners in the Badger State, there’s never been a better time to start exploring all of the solar options available. The cost of going solar in Wisconsin is lower than ever thanks to these solar incentives:
Focus on Energy renewable rewards
If you’re installing a solar energy system on your home in Wisconsin, you’re likely eligible for a rebate from Focus on Energy. Regardless of the size of your solar panel system and total project costs, you can get a flat $500 rebate to help decrease the permitting and interconnection costs associated with installing your solar panel system. Be sure to check the Focus on Energy website to see if your utility participates in their programs.
Solar tax incentives
Solar is a worthwhile investment, but knowing where you can reduce your costs is important to improving your rate of return. For residents of the Badger State, there are multiple tax incentives to help you maximize your savings: the sales tax incentive, which exempts you from paying sales tax on your solar equipment, and the property tax incentive, which exempts you from paying property taxes on any additional value solar adds to your home. Small savings can add up!
Other key solar power incentives in Wisconsin
Wisconsin net metering
When you install a solar energy system, you don’t need to include a battery to be certain that you’ll have electricity when you need it. Thanks to net metering in Wisconsin, you can send your extra solar energy back to the grid in exchange for credits on your utility bill. When you need more electricity than your panels are generating, those credits can make up the difference for you. Xcel Energy offers the top utility net metering program in Wisconsin.
Solar access rights
To be sure that you’re getting maximum value from your solar panels, you have to have access to their power source: the sun! Wisconsin solar access rights grant homeowners the right to have unrestricted access to the sun, so when you install solar panels, you can rest assured that your neighbors won’t be able to do anything that obstruct your source of solar energy. Plus, if you live in an area with a homeowners’ association, your HOA can’t stop you from going solar.
The federal solar tax credit
Don’t forget about federal solar incentives! With the investment tax credit (ITC), now referred to as the Residential Clean Energy Credit for residential systems, you can reduce the cost of your PV solar energy system by 30 percent. Keep in mind that the ITC applies only to those who buy their PV system outright (either with a cash purchase or a solar loan), and that you must have enough income for the tax credit to be meaningful (unless you’re a tax-exempt entity, in which case you might be eligible for a direct payment).
