The Badger State lights up with solar energy

The state of solar in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a reputation for its dense forests that cover roughly half the state, but it’s also a sunny place. The region receives an average of 188 sunny days compared to the country’s annual average of 205 days of sunshine.^*Bestplaces.net, Climate in Wisconsin (assessed July 14, 2020) Studies have found that about 80% of buildings in Wisconsin are solar-viable, making it an ideal region for producing clean solar energy.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018).

How much solar energy does Wisconsin produce?

As of 2020, Wisconsin is in 19th place in the nation for solar capacity, with a five-year growth projection of 2,414 MW capacity that will soon push the state to 13th place. The region currently produces enough solar energy to power 71,572 homes.^*SEIA, “Wisconsin Solar” (accessed July 15, 2021) https://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/wisconsin-solar

Upcoming clean energy projects are plentiful in Wisconsin. The Crawfish River Solar Project in Jefferson, alone, will provide electricity to almost 20,000 homes in the area with its 500-acre, 75 MW solar farm.^*Daily Jefferson County Union, "Jefferson County solar farm project wins state agency approval" (published July 1, 2021) https://www.dailyunion.com/news/jefferson/jefferson-county-solar-farm-project-wins-state-agency-approval/article_64a7a8d2-116b-53f3-831c-bb5ae6b4ec26.html

What are the advantages of going solar in Wisconsin?

Now is an excellent time to get solar panels for homes in Wisconsin. Thanks to the abundance of year-long sunshine (even in the frigid winter!), residents can reduce or eliminate their electric bills. Unfortunately, electricity in Wisconsin is rising to 14.62 cents per kWh as of April 2021, which is a 6% increase over the national average.^*Solarenergylocal.com, Solar Energy in Wisconsin (accessed July 14, 2021) https://www.solarenergylocal.com/states/wisconsin/

By offsetting electrical consumption with clean solar energy, homeowners can have the power they need without incurring high monthly expenses. Installing solar panels may have substantial upfront costs, but the long-term return on investment is too high to ignore.

Most solar systems carry a minimum 20-year warranty, and some have 40-year useful life, so they can generate power for decades. Solar power is renewable and predictable. Even on cloudy days, the panels can absorb clean energy, reducing the state’s need to generate excessive energy through its electrical grid.

How much does solar cost in Wisconsin?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Quality of solar panels

• Size and type of solar system

• Solar provider

• Installation quality

• State, local, and federal incentives, benefits, and rebates

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country. In Wisconsin, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,650 to $15,150, or, in other words, from $2.73 to $3.03 per watt, and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Wisconsin offers several incentives for residents to switch to solar power in addition to the federal tax incentive that many property owners use.^*Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. Residents can also take advantage of net metering after installing a solar system. This program compensates solar owners who send extra clean energy to their utility company’s electrical grid through credits on their utility bills.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Wisconsin?

Finding the most suitable solar system for your Wisconsin home takes a considerable amount of research by a homeowner. Solar systems that work for one household may not be suitable for yours. You should also consider which reputable and licensed solar provider will best meet your specific energy consumption needs and the durability of your selected system.

Energy storage options for surplus solar power, budget, and your home’s layout are other considerations to make before going solar. However, you can minimize upfront costs and get the clean, eco-friendly power you need by opting for high-efficiency solar panels to maximize energy output with fewer panels.

If you’re ready to embrace the solar energy opportunities in Wisconsin, be sure to reach out to experts in the solar power industry. They should provide expert recommendations and design highly efficient solar panel configurations and storage options tailored to your home and its needs.

Get started now by requesting your consultation with SunPower below. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.