12 Best Solar Companies in Onalaska, WI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Onalaska based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Onalaska, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Onalaska homeowner saves $1,582/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Onalaska
If you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in Onalaska, sorting through so many options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many fantastic perks. Because solar panels produce their own power, they can greatly reduce your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
Here, we'll narrow down some of the best solar companies in Onalaska to make your decision a little bit easier. To help you find out if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Onalaska by clicking the button below.
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 Onalaska
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Solar Connection Inc. Sales Office
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Olson Solar Energy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Gundersen Envision
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Riverland Energy Cooperative
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
U.S. Solar Mounts Corp
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
Champion Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Ethos Green Power Cooperative
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Constitution State Solar Co
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Onalaska
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Onalaska 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 Onalaska
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 Onalaska
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has gone down significantly over the past few years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. Some significant things that influence how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- How much electricity your household consumes: Homes that need a lot of electricity each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Onalaska doesn't get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your electricity bills will be.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $19,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
Due to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Onalaska
Although installing solar panels is typically a large investment, it can save you much money over the lifespan of your solar panels because of reduced power bills and government incentives. In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local programs, which in almost all cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Onalaska.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Onalaska
If you're thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions. A question many homeowners might be wondering about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? Something that can drastically affect your carbon footprint is how long your commute is and how much you drive overall. If you go solar and have an electric car, you can vastly cut back on your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll no doubt find that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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 Onalaska, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Onalaska, Viking Electric is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
Are solar panels really environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels require a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see quicker 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.