3 Best Solar Companies in Merrill, WI (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Merrill based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Merrill, WI
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Merrill homeowner saves $1,573/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Merrill

If you’re a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Merrill, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, the hard work is worth it since adopting solar energy is often a good idea. What's especially pushing a lot of readers toward installing solar panels is their very high energy bills that continue to increase each year.


There are so many installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Merrill.To get an estimate of how much it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.

Advertisement

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Merrill

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Northwind Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: http://www.northwindre.com/
Address: 578 Allen St, Amherst, WI 54406
Phone: 7152230418
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

Independent Solar Systems

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://independent-solar.com/
Address: E2614 Bags Hill Rd Suite A, Waupaca, WI 54981
Phone: 9207409123
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Photovoltaic Systems LLC

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://www.pvsolarwi.com/
Address: 7910 WI-54, Amherst, WI 54406
Phone: 7152173028

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

When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs the most.Some key things that affect how much it will cost and how much you could save include:

  • How much energy you use: If your home regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
  • Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can afford.
  • Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and your roof configuration, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.

There are lots of good benefits of solar in spite of the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your bank account. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.

Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}

Use the calculator below to find out how much switching to solar could impact the planet and your bank account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Merrill, WI.

{{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings{{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }}
Estimated cost{{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}
Estimated incentives{{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }}
Payback period{{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years
CO2 emissions prevented{{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs
Miles driven equivalent{{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi
Why leave {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} on the table? Help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar. GET ESTIMATE

Electricity rate:
{{ solarcalc.elec_cost/10 }} ¢
Shade:
{{ solarcalc.shade }} %
Time period:
{{ solarcalc.time_period }} years
System size:
{{ solarcalc.system_size }} kW
Additional Incentives:
{{ solarcalc.additional_incentives|currency }}

Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.

Solar Incentives in Merrill

Since solar power is better for the environment than traditional energy sources, there are several government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch.When you install solar panels, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you lower your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some state and city incentives that you can use to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can find in Merrill.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Merrill

An important reason so many are thinking of switching to solar power is to help bring down their environmental impact.Something many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? In Merrill, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a huge effect on the environment since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.Although making solar panels emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably lowering the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Merrill, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. Since energy from the sun is renewable and produces electricity without a carbon footprint, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the planet.

Advertisement

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Merrill, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar company in Merrill?

The top local solar company in Merrill is Northwind Solar, with a rating of 4.80 stars.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?

A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can be an eyesore.

Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?

Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

When is the best time of year to 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 contracting installers, 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.