5 Best Solar Companies in Minocqua, WI (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Minocqua based on:

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

Average Minocqua homeowner saves $1,602/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 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 Minocqua

If you’re a home or business owner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Minocqua, it can be challenging to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is often a great idea. Though Minocqua may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the nation have set up shop there to help residents switch over to renewable energy.


If you’re thinking about going solar, the first step to take is to find the best solar companies in Minocqua and compare quotes. That’s why we did the hard work and came up with a list of the best solar companies so you don’t have to.If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the top Minocqua solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Minocqua

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Northwind Solar

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon EV Charger
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Full-Service
  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Permit Assistance

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

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Carlson Electric

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Emergency Services
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://www.gosolarwi.com/
Address: 10469 Wheeler St, Hayward, WI 54843
Phone: 7152044956
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Solar Chippewa Valley

  • 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 Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Full-Service
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: https://solarchippewavalley.com/
Address: 1204 Superior St, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: 7157205825
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Next Step Energy

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: http://www.nextstepenergy.com/
Address: 612 Wagner Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 7158309337
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Photovoltaic Systems LLC

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Tesla Powerwall
  • Service icon EV Charger

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

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Minocqua

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Minocqua 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 Minocqua


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 Minocqua

For a lot of homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar energy depends the most on the cost.Some important things that influence how much it will cost and how much you could save include:

  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $19,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
  • How much power your household needs: If your household regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from switching to solar.
  • How much you spend on energy: The average family in Minocqua shells out around $1,100 a year on power alone, so you could gain that much in savings.

Because of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as various solar incentives, they are a solid investment for many homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Minocqua

In an effort to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make solar power more economical and accessible.On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in Minocqua.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Minocqua

There are a few primary reasons why homeowners want to invest in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.You may be curious – how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? In Minocqua, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a big impact on the Earth since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good swap for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. Since solar power is abundant and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Minocqua, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar installation company in Minocqua?

In Minocqua, Northwind Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.

What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?

Producing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.

Are solar panels worth it?

Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but frankly, 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.

How efficient are solar panels?

Usually, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.

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.