Solar in Manitowoc, WI
With Manitowoc Public Utilities's electricity at about 11.9¢ per kWh and 1,275 kWh of sun per kW, solar is not worth it for a typical Manitowoc home today: about a 22.8-year payback.
- Payback, typical home
- 22.8 yrsWisconsin: 13.2 yrs
- 25-year net
- $1,262after paying $10,700
- Sun
- 1,275kWh per kW per year
- Electricity
- 11.9¢34% below U.S. average
A typical Manitowoc home, by the numbers
| Utility | Manitowoc Public Utilities |
|---|---|
| Electricity use | 571 kWh a month |
| Best-value system | 3 kW, about 7 panels, 3,824 kWh a year (56% of use) |
| Cost | $12,500, or $10,700 after state incentives |
| First-year savings | $454 |
| Payback | 22.8 years |
| Exported power | Varies by utility (Wisconsin rule) |
Cash purchase, no federal credit, 2.5% yearly rate increases. Run it with your own numbers.
Homes in Manitowoc
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
- Single-family detached
- 62%
- Median home value
- $161k
- Median year built
- 1959
- Population
- 34,620
- Solar installs, last 3 years*
- 14
- Roofs suitable for solar†
- 74%
Census ACS 2020–2024. *Installations in public records for this area's ZIP codes. †Share of 8,115 buildings Google Project Sunroof rated technically suitable (2019 snapshot).
Older housing stock. Many homes here were built before 1975. Have the roof and electrical panel checked before signing; a roof or panel upgrade can add thousands. Roof first?
Installers working in Manitowoc
Companies with the most installations in Manitowoc's ZIP codes over the last 3 years, from public records. We don't take payment for placement.
- Endries Solar Electric 5 installs
- Everlight Solar 5 installs
- Eland Electric 3 installs
- Olson Solar Energy 1 installs
Always verify the license and get at least three quotes. Compare quotes side by side.
Questions about solar in Manitowoc
Is solar worth it in Manitowoc, WI?
For a typical home in Manitowoc, solar is not worth it at 2026 prices: a 3 kW system costs about $10,700 after state incentives, saves about $454 in year one and pays back in about 22.8 years. Enter your address for an estimate based on your roof and bill.
How much solar power does a system produce in Manitowoc?
About 1,275 kWh per year for each kW of panels on a south-facing roof, based on PVWatts and local weather. That's 4% less than the Wisconsin average. East- or west-facing roofs produce roughly 10–20% less.
Who is the electric utility in Manitowoc?
Most homes in Manitowoc are served by Manitowoc Public Utilities, at about 11.9¢ per kWh on average. Some areas are served by Wisconsin Public Service, Two Rivers Water & Light.
How much do solar panels cost in Manitowoc?
A fair cash price is around $3.50 per watt before incentives, so about $12,500 for a 3 kW system. There's no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026.
Nearby
- Sheboygan 12.4 yrs
- De Pere 11.8 yrs
- Green Bay 13.8 yrs
- Appleton 11.6 yrs
- Neenah 11.9 yrs
- Fond du Lac 12.7 yrs
- Oshkosh 13.4 yrs
- West Bend 11.8 yrs
- All of Wisconsin
Data: PVWatts (National Laboratory of the Rockies), EIA-861 2025 adjusted to 2026, U.S. Census ACS, LBNL Tracking the Sun, state policy research as of October 2026.