Every day more Wisconsin homeowners are choosing to go solar. You can feel good knowing your solar system is helping the environment, while being a good investment. Many that go solar report savings as a driving factor.
The Wisconsin Focus on Energy program can offer you up to $500 rebate to help decrease the permitting and interconnection costs associated with installing your solar panel system.** You can also qualify for the sales tax exemption and be exempt from paying 5% of the sales tax on your solar system. Wisconsinites qualify for no additional property taxes on the added home value of solar under a special property tax exemption. Net metering is available for eligible customers of investor-owned utilities and municipal utilities.
Wisconsin homeowners are also eligible for the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC).*** The ITC allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes.
Wisconsin operates on time of use (TOU) rates. This means that your energy bill may vary depending what time you use electricity. Rather than settle for high rates during peak period, your system can help you avoid them altogether. If you have batteries, you can potentially power your home at night.
Scheduled outages in Wisconsin are normal and necessary, but they are still inconvenient. Unforeseen weather may also cause outages and leave you without power. Installing batteries with your system can potentially help your home stay powered even during an outage. Talk to your dealer about what batteries can give you the freedom to keep powering your home.
Wisconsin is known for its beautiful outdoors and extensive agriculture. Preserving the land is top of many homeowner’s lists. Not just because it is beautiful, but because it is bountiful. By installing a solar system, you reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that can contaminate farmland.
Many Wisconsin homeowners are on a TOU rate system. Electricity is more expensive at certain hours of the day or times of the year. Depending on your energy usage your solar system may produce enough energy so you only pay the minimum toward your utility. Then you can budget your monthly solar cost. This can help make your monthly bills much more predictable.
If you ask your neighbors, some of them have already gone solar to build equity. Going solar may add value to your home and may help it sell faster. The average Wisconsin home is currently valued at approximately $213,537, that is a 9.6% annual increase from last year. Keep up with the rising home values, especially if you want to sell in the future.
