11 Best Solar Companies in Rice Lake, WI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Rice Lake based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Rice Lake, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Rice Lake homeowner saves $1,439/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Rice Lake
Looking for the top solar companies in Rice Lake? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting project that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because Rice Lake has a good capacity for solar power generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the top companies in your area. To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Rice Lake, click the "get quote" 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 Rice Lake
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
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
Next Energy Solution
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Legacy Solar, LLC
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Carlson Electric
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Solar Chippewa Valley
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
Next Step Energy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Solar Forma Design
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
SolaDeck
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Rice Lake
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Rice Lake 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 Rice Lake
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 Rice Lake
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs the most. The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost investment for households that don't use a good amount of energy each month.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 30% of your total installation cost, your 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 $17,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
- Your current energy bills: Solar panels can significantly decrease, or entirely get rid of, your utility bills. In Rice Lake, you can save an average of $111 a month.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar in spite of the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your wallet. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much adopting solar power could impact the Earth and your wallet. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Rice Lake, WI.
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Solar Incentives in Rice Lake
Switching to solar power has lots of wonderful benefits. Not only can it help protect the planet, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives. On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in almost all cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Rice Lake.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rice Lake
An important reason so many consider going solar is to help bring down their environmental impact. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? In a city like Rice Lake where energy use is rather high, installing solar panels is a fantastic idea for people who want to do their part for the environment. Because solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good swap for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. 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 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 Rice Lake, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installation company in Rice Lake?
In Rice Lake, Sisu Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
Are solar panels really bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses 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 significant 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 the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.