10 Best Solar Companies in Appleton, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Appleton based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Appleton, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Appleton homeowner saves $1,603/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Appleton
Getting the best solar panel installation company for your house is a huge decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Appleton. Solar power isn't just good for the environment — your budget will be better off too. With solar power, you can save an average of $19,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
In this article, we’ll review the top Appleton solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s renewable energy needs.To get an idea of how much you would have to pay to install a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Appleton by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Appleton
Winnebago Solar Solutions
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
Eland Electric Corporation
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Constellation - America's Energy Choice
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Array Energy Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Independent Solar Systems
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Northwind Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Arch Electric Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Endries Solar And Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Photovoltaic Systems LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Lake Michigan Wind & Sun Ltd
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Appleton
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Appleton based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Appleton
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Wisconsin solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Appleton
For many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy depends the most on the cost.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can dramatically decrease, or entirely eradicate, your utility bills. In Appleton, you can save an average of $1,295 a month.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your utility bills, which can give you an average of $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Appleton
Although installing solar panels is typically a big investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money over several years because of smaller energy bills and government incentives.When you install a solar panel system on your home, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there may often be some local incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can find in Appleton.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Appleton
One of the reasons so many consider switching to solar power is to help reduce their environmental impact.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Appleton, though. The amount of energy you use is a key factor to consider. The more energy your home uses, the greater your impact when you switch to solar energy.Though making solar panels emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Appleton, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Appleton, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Appleton?
The top local solar company in Appleton is Winnebago Solar Solutions, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for most homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What are the different types of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration and how much efficiency you're looking for.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.