Wisconsin Solar Energy Incentives
Residents in Wisconsin can take advantage of several solar energy incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) offers U.S. homeowners, including those residing in Wisconsin, a 30% tax credit on the expenses associated with installing a solar power system and batteries in their residences. This greatly diminishes the initial costs of your solar energy installation. It’s important to understand that a tax credit is contingent upon an individual having federal tax liabilities to qualify for a credit or reduction in their taxes—however, the credit can carry over from one year to the next.
Wisconsin-specific solar incentives include the solar sales tax exemption, which removes all solar equipment from sales tax, typically resulting in 5% savings—averaging approximately $900 per installed solar panel system. Rooftop solar installations are also exempt from property taxes, meaning you will not incur additional taxes resulting from the increased value of your property after investing in a solar panel system. Solar access laws further ensure homeowners’ access to sunlight by prohibiting neighbors from obstructing sunlight or Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) from preventing homeowners from installing solar panels.
Alliant Energy and We Energies provide a solar incentive known as “The Focus on Energy Rewards.” This initiative offers a flat amount of $500 as compensation to help cover permitting and interconnection expenses for homeowners who adopt solar energy.
Net metering is likewise available and allows individuals who produce their own electricity through solar energy systems to earn utility bill credits for any surplus energy they feed back into the utility grid. For more information on how this incentive operates in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
