Comments on: Wisconsin Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:03:55 +0000

Hey, Nikki. I think you should peruse our FAQ sheet and then get a free quote from one of our partner installers or others in your area. I say this because every home is different, and since it's a free estimate, the only thing you can lose is a bit of time, but you'll get way educated about payback for you. Wisconsin has just passed a Feed-in-Tariff, so things are going to get even better there for incentives and quicker payback.

By: Nikki

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:41:03 +0000

Interested in solar power for our barn…great sun exposure where do we start??

By: Greggory Lawson

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:39:26 +0000

Link: Wisconsin first in midwest to introduce feed-in tariff bill in 2010

January 8, 2010
Wisconsin First in Midwest to Introduce Feed-in Tariff Bill in 2010
by Paul Gipe, Contributing Writer
Wisconsin, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
Powerful Wisconsin legislators were first out of the gate in a brewing race to be the first to pass feed-in tariff legislation in the Midwest…

[NOTE: Due to copyright laws, we could not reprint the whole article that was left in this comment. Please RenewableEnergyWorld.com. The gist is that there is a Wisc. Feed-in-Tariff being introduced, but has not yet passed. Our apologies for not keeping up to date on every solar nook and cranny in every state. We have to eat sometime. ]

Thanks for the heads up, Greg. You Rock.

By: jan

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:59:16 +0000

i have an inc. business with a flat 5000 sq ft roof in milw. i don’t know much about solar power, but am very interested. my biz is a day care and we would like to go as “green” as possible as a teaching tool. we have 360 degree exp. to the sun. is my building a good candidate? how many panels? would i be able to sell power back and how does that work? would i qualify for tax credits if i am a small corporation? thank you

By: Bob

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:30:12 +0000

Hi Dave,
I wanted to know how did you calculate the cummulative savings and investment return percentage?

By: Joe Pater

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:20:09 +0000

Solar in Wisconsin! I’m very glad to see all this great info on the WI solar landscape.

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:52:54 +0000

Thanks again, Dave! For saying what you said above, I’m recognizing you as a solar hero. I write another solar blog for the solar industry, and I’m including you on my solar hero list. You can see it here:

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2009/10/send-me-your-solar-heroes

Thanks again!

By: Dave Cook

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:45:37 +0000

Thank you Fred.
For me putting in solar is a political/social decision even more than a monetary decision. I knew that we are not yet at a point where rebates are abundant, but I am hopeful they will as we need more clean energy. Even if I don’t fully recoop my expenses, my children and grandchildren will. I like reading your website, so thank you so much.

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:41:19 +0000

Dave,

first let me thank you for going ahead with your solar system despite the lack of rebates. You certainly rock, especially with a 7.5kw system. Sadly, you are accurate that the 30% federal tax credit is going to be the only real payback on that system if your co-op is not part of the Wisconsin “Cash Back Rewards” program.

Furthermore, I do not have solar crystal ball to predict the future rebates and state tax credits that might defer further costs for you. Typically, these are not retroactive, but perhaps with a little letter writing and phone calling from you and your neighbors to your co-op. and/or public utility commission, you might be able to affect some grass roots change. You also might want to contact votesolar.org and see what they suggest in terms of being proactive with your local legislator yahoos.

I’m sorry I can’t be more help. Any other Wisconsin lawyer/lobbyists able to help Dave? Please chime in. Either way, Dave, you’re a solar hero to us for installing the system. It should eventually pay for itself, just not as fast as people in the Rewards areas.

By: Dave Cook

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:57:41 +0000

I just installed a 7.5 kW system for our home at a hefty chunk of change. It is grid-tied and our co-op is happy to finally have someone install a system so they can evaluate how it works. But we have no grants available in the state from this co-op, and as far as I can see, I can only hope to recoop some of the cost through my federal taxes credit. I don’t see a state tax credit (only sales tax) and the property tax credit is only there so the assesor doesn’t assess my house at a higher rate because of adding in solar. Property tax credit won’t lower my property taxes.
What is in the future to help offset the cost in terms of tax credits from the state or grants for homeowners.
Dave in Rusk County