Hey there! As a fellow Wisconsinite, I know you want the straight truth about whether home solar power makes sense in our state. Can it really save me money or is it a waste of time and money? Excellent questions!
I‘ve put together this comprehensive solar guide just for Wisconsin homeowners like you. I‘ll provide everything you need to make the smartest choice for your home, without any sales pitches or glossing over of the facts. Ready to dive in?
What Exactly Will I Cover Here?
I know you‘re busy, so here‘s a quick overview of what insights are included:
- Just how many Wisconsin homes have solar panels right now? Is it still a fringe thing?
- What is the typical cost to install a solar array in Wisconsin after accounting for incentives and credits?
- How much sunlight does Wisconsin get compared to other nearby states? How about different cities within WI?
- What solar panel system size makes the most sense based on a typical Wisconsin home‘s electricity usage?
- If you install solar panels, how much money could you save on future electric bills?
- Which solar companies serving our state are known for doing quality work and standing behind it with great warranties?
And much more! Let‘s get rolling…
Solar Popularity is Rising Across Wisconsin
You‘ve likely noticed more homes sprouting solar panels in our neighborhoods recently. But is it just a fad or a sign of a larger trend?
Well, according to new data from the SEIA, over 16,000 Wisconsin homes now have rooftop solar panels as of 2022 year-end. And get this — that number reflects over 500% growth from just 5 years ago!
Another way to view the rise of solar is through overall installation stats:
- Wisconsin had over 1,277 megawatts (MW) of total installed solar capacity as of Q3 2022
- That‘s enough clean energy from the sun to power over 200,000 badger state homes!
- Our statewide solar capacity has grown over 80% since 2020
- We rank in the top 30 states for solar adoption
So while we have plenty of room for further expansion, solar energy is on the rise here! Many of our own Wisconsin neighbors are making the switch.
You can check this updated solar statistics dashboard to see the continued momentum.
Now let‘s get into what generating your own solar electricity would cost…
Typical Solar Panel System Prices in Wisconsin
According to recent quotes from top-rated local solar companies like All Energy Solar, you can expect to pay an average of $2.60 per watt to install solar panels on your Wisconsin home as of late 2022.
This does NOT account for any rebates or tax credits. We‘ll detail those later since they can save you thousands!
Here‘s a quick chart showing approximate full solar array installation costs before incentives:
| System Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 kilowatts | $5,200 |
| 4 kilowatts | $10,400 |
| 6 kilowatts | $15,600 |
| 8 kilowatts | $20,800 |
| 10 kilowatts | $26,000 |
As you can see, a typical home system size of 6 kilowatts (kW) would run you about $15,600 here in Wisconsin. Though your specific situation may call for a larger or smaller array.
Now $15K may sound scary, but stick with me…help is on the way!
Wisconsin Solar Incentives Cut Costs Considerably
While the base pricing may cause some sticker shock initially, Wisconsin homeowners can tap into various solar incentives and rebates to majorly reduce that bottom line.
Let‘s use our 6 kW, $15,600 example to show you how the incentives stack:
- 26% Federal Solar Tax Credit = $4,056
- 5% Wisconsin Sales Tax Exemption = $780
- Focus on Energy Reward Incentive = $1,500
Total Savings = $6,336
So with incentives, your out-of-pocket cost goes from $15,600 down to $9,264! That‘s over 40% off retail pricing. Suddenly solar becomes A LOT more affordable!
And we haven‘t even touched the extra thousands you‘ll save over decades from ultra-low solar electricity costs. More on that in a moment!
First, check out this solar incentives overview from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) to learn all the specifics on Wisconsin solar programs.
Alright, back to those utility bill savings…
Slash Electric Bills with Solar in Wisconsin
Incentives may capture your attention, but I bet you really want to know: How much money could solar panels save me in the long run?
Another fantastic question! Let me demonstrate the long-term savings potential for Wisconsin homes using actual statewide electricity costs and sun data…
The typical Wisconsin home uses about 700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each month. At our average residential electric rate of 14.16¢/kWh, that comes out to a monthly bill of around $99.
Over 25 years, your total electricity costs would eclipse $30,000! 😨 Think about that number for a minute.
Now imagine offsetting a chunk of that giant bill with solar panels producing FREE sun electricity for your home instead:
Let‘s say you installed that 6 kW solar system from our earlier example. Given Wisconsin‘s annual average sunlight, an array that size could generate about 8,400 kWh of electricity from the sun per year.
At 14.16¢ per kWh, that solar output displaces about $1,191 worth of annual electric bills you‘d otherwise pay your utility!
Over the 25 year lifespan of most solar panels, your total utility savings would exceed $29,700.
So for an initial solar investment of $15,600 ($9,264 after incentives), you could pocket over $14,000 in positive net savings thanks to decades of slashed electric bills from your home solar energy system!
Hopefully you now see why solar is becoming so darn appealing to us Wisconsinites. Return on investment keeps improving!
I‘ve created this handy solar savings calculator so you can estimate your potential based on your specific home and utility details.
Choose Solar Installers in WI Carefully
Now that you‘ve weighed the costs and incentives for going solar in Wisconsin, you probably want to start shopping around for installers, right?
I urge you to proceed WITH CAUTION!
Since rooftop solar is still a growing industry here, there are undoubtedly some sketchy salespeople pushing shoddy products and installations.
You want to vet any potential solar company thoroughly before signing a contract.
Here are the key traits to look for:
✅ Years of local installation experience
✅ Proof of thousands of successful Wisconsin installs
✅ Elite status certifications from top solar manufacturers
✅ Great customer service & communication ratings
✅ Longterm workmanship warranties (10-25 years)
I always recommend homeowners consider these two excellent solar companies first:
Watts Up Solar
As one of Wisconsin‘s original solar pioneers (founded way back in 2004), Watts Up brings over 20 years of local experience. Their in-house team handles the full process unlike companies that outsource: top-notch products, A+ rated installations, and proven performance guarantees. Can‘t beat ‘em!
All Energy Solar
While headquartered right across the border in St. Paul, MN, All Energy has installed thousands of top-quality solar systems across Wisconsin over the past 15 years. Their staff holds advanced NABCEP solar certifications to ensure your array install goes smoothly while delivering maximum energy production. Top notch equipment like Enphase microinverters paired with strong warranties make All Energy a safe, reliable choice.
I hope this solar guide has given you confidence in how solar power can provide decades of cost savings here in Wisconsin. While upfront system costs may cause hesitation initially, the incentives combined with slashed utility bills ultimately deliver an impressive return on investment over the system lifetime.
If you‘ve run the numbers for your specific situation and the outcome looks beneficial, moving forward with a quality Wisconsin solar company is likely a smart play. Just make absolutely certain to vet your installer thoroughly!
Here‘s wishing you the brightest solar future! Let me know if any other questions pop up.
