3 Best Solar Companies in Merrill, WI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Merrill based on:
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Customer review scores - Service area for Merrill, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Merrill homeowner saves $1,573/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Merrill
Searching for the best solar companies in Merrill? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with solar panels, you can save about $19,000 on your power bills.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary considerably according to your home's setup and your household energy needs. If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the best Merrill solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Merrill
Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)
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Reliable Customer Support - Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Expert panel installation - Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Northwind Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
Photovoltaic Systems, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Merrill
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Merrill 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 Merrill
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 Merrill
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to set up your panels. There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when determining costs and your potential savings, such as:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $19,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
- Your current energy bills: Solar panels can substantially decrease, or totally get rid of, your utility bills. In Merrill, you can save an average of $122 a month.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- How much energy your household consumes: Households that use lots of electricity each month may call for more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to lower your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Merrill homeowners.
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Adopting a sustainable source of energy can substantially impact both the environment and your power bills. To see how much, use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Merrill, WI.
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Solar Incentives in Merrill
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than burning fossil fuels, there are several government incentives in place to encourage its adoption. When you install solar panels on your home, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some local incentives that you can benefit from to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. Our article on solar incentives goes over more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in Merrill.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Merrill
There are many reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving money on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. Something many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? For those who care about the environment, going solar is a no-brainer, especially since Merrill produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation. In Merrill, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. For homeowners who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Merrill, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Merrill?
In Merrill, Olson Solar Energy is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, completely cut your electricity bills, improve your home's value and bring down your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 9.3 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When should I install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.