Wisconsin Solar Incentives

Solar Tax Credits and Rebates are Some of the Best in the Country
Solar energy helps the environment, boosts U.S. energy independence, and creates more jobs than coal or oil and gas. To support growth, governments, utilities, and other groups offer tax breaks and incentives for businesses and nonprofits. That can cut the net cost of a solar panel system by about 30–40%.

Focus on Energy Renewable Rewards
If you install solar on a Wisconsin business or non-profit, you may qualify for Focus on Energy rebates. For solar PV: $600 per kW (DC) up to $2,400, then $50 per kW up to a total of $25,000 to help cover permitting and interconnection costs. Check Focus on Energy to see if your utility participates.

Solar Tax Incentives
Solar is a smart investment, but cutting costs boosts returns. In Wisconsin, businesses and nonprofits get tax breaks: no sales tax on solar equipment and no property tax on the added value solar brings. Small savings add up.

Wisconsin Net Metering
Net metering (also known as net energy billing) is available in Wisconsin for investor-owned utility and municipal utility customers who wish to install customer-owned electric generation below a certain size threshold. Under net metering, a customer is billed on the difference between the energy it consumes and the energy it produces during a billing period.

Solar Access Rights
Wisconsin solar access rights ensure homeowners can use sunlight freely. This means when you install solar panels, neighbors can’t block your access to the sun, so your panels get their full value.

Accelerated Depreciation
Thanks to accelerated depreciation, businesses can write off the value of their solar energy system through the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), which reduces businesses’ tax burden and accelerates returns on solar investments. Qualified solar energy equipment is eligible for a cost recovery period of five years. Accelerated depreciation can reduce net system cost by an additional 30 percent.