Cost of Solar Panels in Wisconsin: Local Solar Installation Prices (2022)
Here’s a quick look at the estimated cost of solar in Wisconsin:
- Average Cost Per Watt: $2.60
- Cost of Average System: $13,468*
- Cost of Energy Without Solar: $39,205
- Payback Period: 11 Years**
- Lifetime Savings of Going Solar: $21,005
*Average system size is calculated using data from the Energy Information Administration. This price is after tax credit.
**Payback period is calculated assuming the system is purchased in cash.
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Find Cost Savings on Solar in Wisconsin
As a homeowner in Wisconsin, you may be wondering: How much do solar panels cost in your area? In this article, we’ll discuss the average cost of a solar installation, how much that can save you on energy for your home and what incentives are available in your region. If you want to jump straight to getting a quote for an installation, you can follow the links below to speak with a verified professional.
Jump to Section:
- Cost of Solar Panels in Wisconsin
- What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin Solar Incentives
- FAQ: Solar Panel Cost Wisconsin
Regional Service
Average cost
All Energy Solar
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Full-service home energy solutions -
Excellent reputation
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Expensive
Full-service home energy solutions 
Expensive Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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Electrical Work
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System Monitoring
Solar Panels
Local Installer
Average cost
Arch Electric
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Excellent reputation
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Competitive pricing
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
Regional Service
Average cost
Sun Badger Solar
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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Competitive pricing
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Offers rewards for customer referrals
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No leases or PPAs
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Relatively young company
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Maintenance & Repairs
Cost of Solar Panels in Wisconsin
The average cost of solar panels in Wisconsin is $2.60 per watt, which is below the national average of $2.66 per watt. Using this figure, in Wisconsin, a typical 7-kilowatt solar system would cost $13,468 after claiming the 26% federal solar tax credit.
Keep in mind that these figures are only estimates, and the price of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for your home may look quite different based on factors unique to you. We recommend getting at least three quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your needs and budget.
Solar Panel System Installation Cost in Wisconsin
Depending on the size of your solar energy system and the company you choose, we’ve estimated that a solar panel installation in Wisconsin would cost between $10,400 and $26,000 before applying any tax incentives or solar rebates.
To offset the average Wisconsin energy bill of about $100 per month, you’d need a 7-kW solar panel system, which costs roughly $18,200, or $13,468 after the federal solar tax credit.
We’ve included the average prices for solar panel systems in Wisconsin before and after the tax credit in the table below:
| Size of Solar Panel System | Wisconsin Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
| 4 kW | $10,400 | $7,696 |
| 5 kW | $13,000 | $9,620 |
| 6 kW | $15,600 | $11,544 |
| 7 kW | $18,200 | $13,468 |
| 8 kW | $20,800 | $15,392 |
| 9 kW | $23,400 | $17,316 |
| 10 kW | $26,000 | $19,240 |
Interested to see the best solar companies in Wisconsin? We’ve vetted a number of installers that offer affordable, high-quality systems. Click here to learn more.
What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Wisconsin?
Besides system size, there are a number of factors that go into determining solar panel costs in Wisconsin. We explain the main ones below.
Solar Equipment
The size and type of solar equipment needed will play the biggest role in determining how much solar panel installation costs in Wisconsin. For instance, a 5-kW system will cost you less than $10,000 after applying the federal tax credit, while a 10-kW system will be closer to $20,000.
The average Wisconsin resident going solar will install a 7-kW PV system, but the size that’s right for your home depends on your specific energy needs. You can get a rough idea of how many solar panels you’ll need based on your past utility bills, available roof space and the amount of sunlight your home gets. However, the only way to truly determine what solar energy system size you need is to get a personal assessment from a reputable solar company.
It’s not only the size but the type of solar panels you’ll need that will determine the cost of your solar panel installation. There are three popular types of solar panels on the market — monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film — and each comes at a different cost. But you may have to choose one type of solar panel over the others based on the layout of your Wisconsin home.
For instance, if you have a smaller roof, you may need more efficient solar panels due to a lack of space. Monocrystalline puts out the highest efficiency (more kilowatt-hours per square foot covered), and because of that, they’re more expensive than polycrystalline and thin-film solar panels. While you’ll have to pay more upfront for monocrystalline solar panels, having higher efficiency panels will have a bigger benefit — and savings — in the long run.
In addition to solar panels and inverters, you’ll also need to consider if you want any add-on equipment, like a battery or an EV charger. These will raise the upfront costs of your solar system.
Solar Financing
Solar financing companies offer loans that will play into your overall costs and how long you’ll have to pay off your solar panels. If you get a solar loan with a high interest rate, your total costs will be higher. Similarly, if you pay more, or all, of the cost of your solar panel installation up front, you’ll pay less interest on the back end. We recommend making as high an initial purchase as you can to maximize your savings.
Solar Installation Company
The good news is there are a lot of solar companies that service Wisconsin, so companies may try to undercut one another by offering sales, discounts and overall lower prices. Don’t be afraid to shop around different companies to find one that’s going to offer the best solar installation option for your home. If you’re looking for the best solar companies in Wisconsin, check out some of our top-vetted solar companies.
Wisconsin Solar Incentives
Aside from dairy, Wisconsin is perhaps best known for its harsh winters. That may have some people wondering if it’s worth going solar in Wisconsin. However, there are already thousands of Wisconsin residents saving money and reducing their carbon footprint by turning to renewable energy alternatives. And did you know that solar panels are actually more effective in colder conditions?
To encourage the adoption of clean energy sources, federal, state and local governments have implemented financial incentives for going solar. Here are the highlights:
| Wisconsin Solar Incentive | How it Affects the Cost of Solar Panels in Wisconsin |
| Property Tax Exemption | Installing solar will increase the value of your home, but Wisconsin has laws in place to ensure your property taxes don’t rise due to your clean energy addition. |
| Sales Tax Exemption | In Wisconsin, solar equipment is exempt from the state’s 5% sales tax. |
| Focus on Energy | This statewide solar program offers up to a $500 rebate for qualified home solar installations. |
| Net Metering | Wisconsin requires all utilities to have net metering programs for customers that generate electricity through systems up to 20 kilowatts. This means that you can “sell” your excess electricity back to your power company. (Learn more) |
| Local Solar Rebates & Incentives | Make sure to look up any additional rebates or credits available in your area. For example, the City of Milwaukee offers low-interest loans for homeowners wanting to install solar through its Milwaukee Shines solar energy program. |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit | When you install solar panels on your Wisconsin home, you become eligible for the solar investment tax credit (ITC) — also known as the federal solar tax credit. It’s currently worth 26% of your installed system costs, but it’s set to reduce to 22% in 2023 and be eliminated for residential solar in 2024. |
Best Solar Panel Brands and Installed Solar System Costs in 2022
Whether you’re installing a DIY solar panel system or having one of the best solar companies in Wisconsin handle the details, you’ll want to choose the best solar panels for your home. So, how much will the panels themselves set you back?
Here’s a price comparison of the best solar panel brands on the market:
| Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
| LG Solar | $$$ |
| Canadian Solar | $$$ |
| JA Solar | $$ |
| Mission Solar | $$ |
| Panasonic | $$ |
| Q Cells | $$ |
| REC | $$$ |
| Silfab | $$$ |
| SunPower | $$$$$ |
| Tesla | $$ |
| Trina Solar | $$$ |
As you seek the best residential solar panels in Wisconsin, it’s crucial to consider the specific needs of your home and how your solar power system can offset your electricity costs.
People Also Ask
EcoWatch FAQ: Solar Panel Cost Wisconsin
Here are some of the questions about solar costs we see most often from Wisconsin residents:
The average cost of installing solar panels in Wisconsin is $2.60 per watt, which is below the national average of $2.66 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 7-kilowatt solar system in Wisconsin would cost $13,468 after claiming the 26% federal solar tax credit. These estimates include the cost of installation labor.
Yes! Data shows that adding solar panels will increase the value of your Wisconsin home. In fact, a nationwide study from Zillow found that homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than homes without.
We understand that the upfront cost of buying solar panels in Wisconsin can be expensive, but we recommend buying your solar panels outright if feasible to get the best deal or putting as much down as you can and exploring different financing options. Though solar leases are available, you cannot take advantage of the maximum savings and benefits of solar panels if you do not own your system. For instance, you would not be able to claim the federal tax credit or take advantage of your increased home property value if you lease your solar PV system.
No, solar panels are not free in Wisconsin — or anywhere else, for that matter. Some companies will make it seem like leasing solar panels is a “free” way to take advantage of the benefits of solar, but this is simply not the case.
When you decide to lease solar panels, you’re essentially renting them from another company that retains complete ownership. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you will save the least amount of money this way. Plus, you won’t be eligible to receive any of the benefits of owning solar panels. Leases can also be tricky to transfer or cancel, which is why we always recommend buying your solar panels outright if you can.
It’s possible. There’s no doubt that installing solar panels can greatly reduce your energy bills, and depending on how much energy your panels produce, they could eliminate your monthly costs completely. Or, even better, you may get credits from your utility company through a net metering program.
This depends on many factors, including your current electricity rates, annual consumption, and the amount of direct sunlight your roof receives. The only way to accurately assess what size solar power system is right for your home is to get a professional assessment from a reputable company. However, you can estimate the size and cost of the system based on your electricity bills, energy needs, and available roof space. Click here to learn more about how many solar panels you need to power your home.
