Solar in your state
With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Wisconsin, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Wisconsin residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Wisconsin:
Company Description
Olson Solar Energy was started by twin brothers, Cameron and Brandon Olson. After several years successfully pursuing our respective careers in North Carolina and Washington state, we reunited in Wisconsin, creating Olson Solar Energy.We believe our strong wo...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Unrated
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Tim Skinner | Onalaska, WI | 02-06-2025
Olson Solar Gets 5 Stars
Olson Solar provided service and installation of solar systems in two of our homes. The first one was a reinstall of a system that was removed by the previous owner. This was complicated because our electric company had never had that happen belore. The staff at Olson took that on, and they really made it all work. They made multiple visits to make the appropriate connections and worked very well with our electric company. I do not think we could have done it without Olson Solar. The second installation was a brand new one so it was easier on us. Once again, Olson Solar took care of all permits, site readiness and the installation was painless. They were all so pleasant to have around the house that we missed them when it was all done. When I have questions of any kind, they are very responsive. It feels very good to know they are there to help if there is a need. I highly recommend Olson Solar!
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
FOOL ME ONCE..... | 07-11-2024
Buyer Beware
BUYER BEWARE, our salesman over promised and Olson Solar Energy under delivered. BUYER BEWARE
See full reviewCompany Description
In our 10th year of operation, with over 800 operating solar systems across 5 states, Next Energy Solution, Inc. is dedicated to offering simple and affordable solar energy solutions for all. We are leaders in the solar industry and are dedicated to assisting ...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Unrated
Rating breakdown
Positives:
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0 / 10
Time in business
0 / 10
Litigation and background
0 / 10
Profitability of installer
0 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
0 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
0 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
0 / 5
Company size and location
0 / 5
Vertical integration
0 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
0 / 10
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Transparency of pricing and sales process
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Best solar installers in Wisconsin
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Olson Solar Energy | Unrated | Altoona | Get Quote | |
Next Energy Solution | Unrated | Shell Lake | Get Quote | |
Albright Electric & Solar | Unrated | La Farge | Get Quote | |
Arch Solar | Unrated | Plymouth | Get Quote | |
Aur Solar. | Unrated | Milwaukee | Get Quote | |
Carr Creek Electric Service | Unrated | Hudson | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Wisconsin
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
It can be worthwhile to add a solar battery to your solar system in Wisconsin to provide peace of mind during a power outage, as solar batteries can keep your appliances running when the grid can't. Depending on your utility, a solar battery might even save you a little extra money on your electricity bills.
Here are some Wisconsin companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albright Electric & Solar | Unrated | La Farge | Get Quote | |
Arch Solar | Unrated | Plymouth | Get Quote | |
Aur Solar. | Unrated | Milwaukee | Get Quote | |
Carr Creek Electric Service | Unrated | Hudson | Get Quote | |
Eland Electric Corp | Unrated | Green Bay | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Wisconsin:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
There is currently no solar-specific licensing in Wisconsin, though a general contractor or electrician's license may be required to install solar, depending on the jurisdiction. Certain projects may require building permits or follow specific building codes.
If you're an installer or solar contractor, it would be beneficial to get NABCEP certified for credibility, but it is not required in Wisconsin.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Wisconsin incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Wisconsin by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Wisconsin:
Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
---|---|---|
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
Renewable Energy Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
Focus on Energy Solar Electric Rebate | State | Rebate Program |
Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Wisconsin
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
Wisconsin experiences a seasonal climate throughout the year, with cold winters and hot summers. Peak sun hours in The Badger State range between 4 and 5 each day, which falls within the average amount in the U.S. That's enough sunshine to produce the energy you need to power your home, so long as you install enough solar panels.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2.08 to $3.12 per watt in Wisconsin, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them. If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Wisconsin
How much do solar panels cost in Wisconsin?
How much can solar panels save in Wisconsin?
How can you pay for solar panels in Wisconsin?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Wisconsin?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Wisconsin?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell — it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers and whether they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Licenses and insurance
- Profitability
- Consumer reviews
- Local service
- Brand quality
- Vertical integration
- Transparency
- Loan options
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating System
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.