Solar Incentives and Rebates in Wisconsin

Peak Sun Hours (PSH): 4.3-4.4
Cost of Grid Power: $0.15/kWh
Number Of Installations: 7,135

What’s the Cost of Solar in Wisconsin?

Cost of Grid Power

Wisconsin's electricity prices average $0.15/kWh, slightly above the national average of $0.14/kWh. Solar accounts for less than 0.3% of the state's net power generation as of 2019, with about two thirds of that coming from privately owned systems generating less than 1mW.

Cost of a Solar Install

Cost of a typical 5kW PV install in Wisconsin from 2013-2018

A graph of falling prices for a typical 5kW PV install in Wisconsin from 2013-2018.
Figures include design costs. Data from Berkeley Lab, courtesy of Wisconsin Focus on Energy.

The average cost of a 5kW (equivalent to saving about 100 trees a year) solar power system starts around $12,000 in Wisconsin. That system would pay for itself through energy savings with 10-13 years. System life can span well over 25 years, and savings will improve with inflation.



What Incentives are Available in Wisconsin?

Data from DSIRE. For more info visit: https://www.dsireusa.org/

Name Implementing Sector Program Type Administrator DSIRE ID
Biogas, Solar, and Wind Energy Equipment Exemption State Property Tax Incentive Wisconsin Department of Revenue 178
Renewable Transportation Fuels Technical Assistance State Grant Program 238
Solar Water Heating Incentive Program Utility Rebate Program Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation 245
Solar and Wind Rights State Solar/Wind Access Policy 313
Madison - Energy Management Strategy Local Energy Standards for Public Buildings 448
Madison Gas & Electric - Utility Solar Water Heating Rebate Program Utility Rebate Program Marketing Department 512
Green Power Purchasing State Green Power Purchasing 1308
We Energies - Solar-Electric Development (SED) Program Utility Rebate Program We Energies 2383
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative - Non-Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs Utility Rebate Program Eau Claire Energy Cooperative 2451
Renewable Energy Sales Tax Exemptions State Sales Tax Incentive Wisconsin Department of Revenue 3223
Local Option - Energy-Efficiency Improvement Loans State PACE Financing Programs administered locally 3538
Energy Efficiency Standard for Focus on Energy State Energy Efficiency Resource Standard 4689
City of Madison - Green Madison Business Revolving Loan Program Local Loan Program Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation 5299
City of Madison - Green Madison Residential Incentives Local Rebate Program 5301
City of Madison - Green Madison Business Incentives Local Rebate Program 5302
City of Milwaukee - Business Energy Efficiency (Me2) Rebates Local Rebate Program Milwaukee Energy Efficiency 5344
Design Assistance Program State Rebate Program Chicago Bridge & Iron 5364
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR - Xcel Energy Customers Utility Rebate Program 5762
Xcel Energy - Small Business Energy Efficiency Rebates Utility Rebate Program 5763
Business Incentive Program - Xcel Energy Customers Utility Rebate Program 5764
Xcel Energy - Appliance Recycling Rebate Program Utility Rebate Program 5766
Lighting Discount Program Utility Rebate Program 5769
Xcel Energy - Agriculture, Schools and Government Incentive Program Utility Rebate Program 5770
City of Milwaukee - ME3: Milwaukee Sustainable Manufacturing Program Local Grant Program 5918
Plymouth Utilities - Energy Management Services Utility Energy Analysis Plymouth Utilities 15886
Reedsburg Utility Commission - Energy Management Services Utility Energy Analysis Reedsburg Utility Commission 15890
Two Rivers Water & Light - Efficiency Improvement Incentive Utility Energy Analysis Two Rivers Water & Light 15908
Focus on Energy - Retrocommissioning State Energy Analysis Focus on Energy 17381
Wisconsin Public Service - Energy Analysis Other Energy Analysis Wisconsin Public Service 17382
Wisconsin Public Service - Programs for Business Other Energy Analysis Wisconsin Public Service 17387
Plymouth Utilities - New Construction Program Utility Energy Analysis Plymouth Utilities 17993
Wisconsin Public Service - Saving Energy Advice Other Energy Analysis Wisconsin Public Service 18017
Two Rivers Water & Light - New Construction Program Utility Energy Analysis Two Rivers Water & Light 18465
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative - Interconnection Utility Other Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative 19675
Evansville Water & Light Dept. - New Construction Design Assistance Other Energy Analysis Evansville Water & Light Dept. 19700
Vernon Electric Cooperative - Business Energy Advisor Utility Energy Analysis Touchstone Energy Cooperatives 19722
New Glarus Utilities - Energy Management Utility Energy Analysis New Glarus Utilities 20331
New Glarus Utilities - Efficiency Improvement Incentives Utility Energy Analysis New Glarus Utilities 20333
Plymouth Utilities - Power Profiler Utility Energy Analysis Plymouth Utilities 20983
Efficiency United - Commercial & Industrial Services Utility Energy Analysis Efficiency United 21579
U.S. Department of Energy - Industrial Assessment Center (IAC): University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Federal Energy Analysis U.S. Department of Energy 21634
Xcel Energy - New Construction & Whole Building Programs Utility Energy Analysis Xcel Energy 21811
Xcel Energy - Online Energy Assessment Utility Energy Analysis Xcel Energy 21812
Xcel Energy - Energy Audits and Studies Utility Energy Analysis Xcel Energy 21816
Xcel Energy - Small Business Lighting Utility Energy Analysis 21818
Xcel Energy - Business Energy Advisor Utility Energy Analysis Xcel Energy 21819
Xcel Energy - Business Solutions Utility Energy Analysis 21821
Xcel Energy - Energy At Risk Financial Analysis Tool Utility Energy Analysis Xcel Energy 21823
Xcel Energy - Energy Management Systems Utility Energy Analysis 21825
Seventhwave (formerly Energy Center of Wisconsin) - Energy Consulting Non-Profit Energy Analysis Seventhwave (formerly Energy Center of Wisconsin) 21851
Seventhwave (formerly Energy Center of Wisconsin) - Back of the Envelope Calculator Non-Profit Energy Analysis Seventhwave (formerly Energy Center of Wisconsin) 21852
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - Midwest Industrial Initiative Non-Profit Energy Analysis Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 21858
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - Building Operator Certification Non-Profit Training and Information Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance 21859
Renewable Energy Competitive Incentive Program State Grant Program 22073
Energy Innovation Grant Program State Grant Program Public Service Commission of Wisconsin 22074



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