Is solar worth it in Wisconsin?
For a typical Wisconsin home in 2026, solar is worth it: about a 13.2-year payback and $17,880 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 13.2 yrs4.8 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 18.7¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,327kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- ~21%Varies by utility
The numbers for a typical Wisconsin home
| Electricity use | 660 kWh a month (Wisconsin average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 4.8 kW, producing 6,370 kWh a year (80% of use) |
| Price | $17,900 at about $3.50/W; $15,500 after state incentives |
| First-year savings | $1,153 |
| Payback | 13.2 years |
| 25-year net | $17,880 (6.3% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 2.5% a year, from Wisconsin's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity costs 18.7¢ per kWh, close to the U.S. average of 18.0¢.
- Exported solar is typically credited at about 21% of retail, so systems pay best when sized for what you use yourself.
- A typical system here produces about 1,327 kWh per kW per year (ranked #35 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in Wisconsin
Varies by utility. Wisconsin has no statewide net metering law; each utility's PSC-approved tariff applies. Most offer monthly netting for systems up to ~20 kW (We Energies up to 300 kW), but some pay only avoided cost for monthly excess.
Varies: Xcel and MGE carry monthly kWh credits at retail; We Energies credits monthly excess at avoided cost; Alliant/WPS retail up to monthly usage with excess at lower rate.
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: Varies by utility; often annual true-up at avoided cost or retail kWh carry-forward.
- System size limit: 20 kW
- Fixed charges: Rising fixed customer charges; some co-ops charge grid access fees for DG.
- Last major change: PSC net metering investigation decision July 24, 2025 (no value-of-solar study); MGE/Alliant proposals to cut credits previously rejected (2023-2024).
- Pending: Ongoing PSC net metering investigation; utility-specific changes possible in rate cases.
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| We Energies (Wisconsin Electric Power) | 4¢/kWh | Systems <=300 kW; monthly excess credited at avoided cost. |
| Wisconsin Public Service | Full retail net metering | PG-4 tariff <=20 kW; retail up to usage, surplus formula-based. |
| Alliant Energy (Wisconsin Power & Light) | Full retail net metering | Retail up to monthly usage; excess bill credit (2023 hourly netting proposal outcome unverified). |
| Madison Gas & Electric | ~100% of retail | kWh credits carry over monthly; net sellers paid buyback rate. |
| Xcel Energy (NSP-Wisconsin) | ~100% of retail | <=100 kW; monthly excess at retail carried forward; annual balance paid at lower value. |
Solar incentives in Wisconsin
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
| Program | Type | What you get | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus on Energy residential solar incentive | rebate | $600 per kW, max $2,400 per system (from 2026-01-01); apply before installation; first-come first-served. Eligibility: Residential systems >=0.5 kW-DC in participating utility territories. | active |
| Sales tax exemption | sales tax exemption | Solar equipment exempt from WI sales tax. Eligibility: Solar systems. | active |
| Property tax exemption | property tax exemption | Value added by solar is exempt from property tax (Wis. Stat. 70.111(18)). Eligibility: Solar systems. | active |
What solar costs in Wisconsin
A fair cash price is around $3.50 per watt before incentives. For the 4.8 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $14,300 to $20,200; smaller systems cost more per watt.
Public installation records (LBNL Tracking the Sun and state data, 4,200 owned systems since 2024) show a median of $3.73/W, with the middle half between $2.95 and $5.06. These prices include loan dealer fees, which is why cash quotes are often lower.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 21,545
- Share of homes
- 0.7%
- Residential solar capacity
- 174 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +17.1%
- New systems with a battery
- 0%
- New systems leased or PPA
- 0%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in Wisconsin
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| We Energies | 1,056,086 | 21.3¢ | 640 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Alliant Energy (Wisconsin Power & Light) | 440,746 | 19.1¢ | 694 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Wisconsin Public Service | 415,643 | 17.8¢ | 616 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Northern States Power | 222,746 | 16.1¢ | 722 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Madison Gas & Electric | 148,482 | 21.9¢ | 505 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative | 36,159 | 19.7¢ | 643 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative | 20,584 | 16.5¢ | 797 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Barron Electric Cooperative | 19,395 | 16.6¢ | 883 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Riverland Energy Cooperative | 19,120 | 16.8¢ | 1,061 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Oakdale Electric Cooperative | 17,139 | 16.5¢ | 751 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Sun Prairie Utilities | 17,082 | 12.6¢ | 611 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Manitowoc Public Utilities | 16,169 | 11.9¢ | 571 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Kaukauna (WI) | 14,872 | 13.3¢ | 722 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative | 13,655 | 16.1¢ | 1,143 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Superior Water and Light | 13,290 | 16.4¢ | 555 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Northwestern Wisconsin Electric | 12,999 | 15.2¢ | 574 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Wisconsin Rapids W W & L Comm | 12,347 | 14.1¢ | 656 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Marshfield | 11,974 | 10.7¢ | 707 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Dahlberg Light & Power | 11,001 | 13.6¢ | 586 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Oconomowoc Utilities | 10,391 | 14.7¢ | 681 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Clark Electric Cooperative | 9,616 | 15.0¢ | 1,230 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Dunn County Electric Cooperative | 9,542 | 16.8¢ | 990 kWh/mo | Close call |
| City of Menasha | 8,683 | 13.7¢ | 609 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Stoughton | 8,338 | 13.3¢ | 671 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Sturgeon Bay | 7,865 | 13.3¢ | 597 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
Solar by city in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee11.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Madison11.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Green Bay13.8-yr payback · Close call
- Kenosha11.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Racine11.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Appleton11.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Waukesha11.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Eau Claire14.7-yr payback · Close call
- Oshkosh13.4-yr payback · Close call
- Janesville12.3-yr payback · Worth it
- West Allis11.7-yr payback · Worth it
- La Crosse14.9-yr payback · Close call
- Sheboygan12.4-yr payback · Worth it
- Wauwatosa11.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Fond du Lac12.7-yr payback · Worth it
- Brookfield11.6-yr payback · Worth it
- New Berlin11.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Wausau13.5-yr payback · Close call
- Menomonee Falls11.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Sun Prairie12.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Greenfield11.8-yr payback · Worth it
- Oak Creek11.7-yr payback · Worth it
- Beloit12.4-yr payback · Worth it
- Franklin11.7-yr payback · Worth it
- Manitowoc22.8-yr payback · Not worth it
- Fitchburg11.3-yr payback · Worth it
- West Bend11.8-yr payback · Worth it
- Mount Pleasant11.7-yr payback · Worth it
- Neenah11.9-yr payback · Worth it
- Superior19.2-yr payback · Not worth it
- Stevens Point13.5-yr payback · Close call
- Muskego11.8-yr payback · Worth it
- De Pere11.8-yr payback · Worth it
- Mequon11.8-yr payback · Worth it
- Caledonia11.6-yr payback · Worth it
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. Wisconsin DSPS electrical contractor credential (and licensed electricians); dwelling contractor credential for residential. Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Yes - Wis. Stat. 66.0401 restricts local governments from restricting solar; 700.41 solar easements; HOA covenant protections limited.
- Community solar. Utility community solar programs only (no statewide program).
Installers active in Wisconsin
Ranked by installations in public records, not by payment. Volume isn't quality: always check licenses and reviews.
- Everlight Solar 3,848 installs
- Arch Electric 1,357 installs
- Olson Solar Energy 1,097 installs
- All Energy Solar 882 installs
- Full Spectrum Solar 808 installs
- Midwest Solar Power 654 installs
- North Wind Renewable Energy 553 installs
- Eland Electric 528 installs
- Next Energy 482 installs
- Eagle Point Solar 430 installs
- Appleton Solar 416 installs
- Drews Solar 399 installs
- Ethos Green Power 345 installs
- Home Team Energy 331 installs
- Endries Solar Electric 266 installs
Questions about solar in Wisconsin
Is solar worth it in Wisconsin in 2026?
For a typical Wisconsin home, solar is worth it. A 4.8 kW system costing about $15,500 after state incentives saves about $1,153 in the first year and pays back in about 13.2 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in Wisconsin?
A reasonable cash price is around $3.50 per watt before incentives, or roughly $14,300 to $20,200 for a 4.8 kW system. Public installation records for Wisconsin show a recent median of $3.73/W, which often includes loan dealer fees.
Does Wisconsin have net metering?
Wisconsin has no statewide net metering law; each utility's PSC-approved tariff applies. Most offer monthly netting for systems up to ~20 kW (We Energies up to 300 kW), but some pay only avoided cost for monthly excess.
Is there a solar tax credit in Wisconsin?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Wisconsin does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of. Solar may be exempt from property tax.
How do I check a solar installer's license in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin DSPS electrical contractor credential (and licensed electricians); dwelling contractor credential for residential.. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://licensesearch.wi.gov/.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include renewwisconsin.org, wpr.org, energysage.com. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.