6 Best Solar Companies in La Crosse, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in La Crosse based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for La Crosse, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average La Crosse homeowner saves $1,594/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in La Crosse
Thinking of going solar but not sure which company would be the best one for you? Although it can be difficult to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good perks. On average, you can save $19,000 over 20 years when you use solar power. And since solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be much higher than that overall.
If you’re planning on going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in La Crosse and compare quotes. The good news is we did the hard work and compiled a list of the best solar companies to make it easier on you.To get a sense of how much it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 La Crosse
Olson Solar Energy
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
Solar Connection Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Ethos Green Power Cooperative
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Champion Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Blake Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Midwest Solars
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in La Crosse
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in La Crosse 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 La Crosse
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 La Crosse
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs above all.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Incentives: Something that can make your solar project cost less 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 energy bills, which can generate an average of $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
- average energy usage: The more power your household uses on average and the higher your current electricity bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from making the switch to solar.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Your power bills: This will impact your savings. In La Crosse, the average homeowner can save about $1,100 a year on their electricity bills.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to decrease your energy bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many La Crosse homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in La Crosse
To increase the adoption of solar power, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more affordable and accessible.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also possibly use the ITC with other local incentives. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can find in La Crosse.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in La Crosse
There are lots of reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? In La Crosse, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a huge impact on the planet since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.In La Crosse, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. For those who are worried about 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 La Crosse, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in La Crosse?
The best local solar company in La Crosse is Olson Solar Energy, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how much power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.