After 20 years of installing solar in Wisconsin, we are used to getting asked this question: Is solar worth it in Wisconsin?
The short answer is yes. If solar is a good fit for your house, Wisconsin has plenty of sun to maximize your environmental and financial benefits. However, Arch Solar prides itself on authentic conversations with customers. If your house or property is not a great match for solar, we’ll outright tell you.
So, how do we determine if solar makes sense for your home?
Here are three easy questions we ask to help with that decision:
1. Do you have substantial energy consumption?
Look at your last year of electrical bills and see if you are happy with the cost. Would you like to save money, knowing that power from utility companies never pays itself back (and almost exclusively goes up over time)?
Arch views solar as locking in your current cost of power and hedging against the inevitable price hikes from your utility for the next 30 years.
2. Do you have open roof space with southern exposure?
For solar to make financial sense in Wisconsin, the best place to put the panels is on a south-facing roof. Alternatively, we can split the array into equal exposure on the east and west sections.
Given how far north of the equator we are, it’s important to maximize the amount of sunshine your panels get. While winter does not have as much direct sunlight as summer, we orient your panels to always achieve the best possible financial return.
3. Do you own your home or building?
Solar rarely makes financial sense to install on a building that you don’t own. One of the major benefits of residential solar is taking control of your own energy production instead of relying exclusively on utility companies. If you are living in a condo or apartment, it is better to suggest that your building owner investigates solar rather than pursuing it yourself.
We use these questions, along with your utility bill data, to create a customized proposal of a solar array on your property.
So, How Much Does Solar Cost?
It’s important to note that solar is not a one-size-fits-all product, especially in Wisconsin.
Check out our ballpark price list.
Keep in mind – your price point may be different based on electrical usage, roof orientation, or other unique factors.
Why Is Solar A Good Idea Now?
While solar is an upfront cost, you should consider solar as an investment for your future. In a June 2024 interview with Milwaukee Business Journal, WEC Energy Group’s CEO Gale Klappa said, ‘I would suspect that this would be a company that would continue to expand’.
Wisconsin Energy has increased in revenue from $3.31 billion to $8.89 billion over the last 20 years. Inflation and other factors have increased the basic cost of home energy in Southeastern Wisconsin during this time frame.
As energy prices increase, solar locks in your lower monthly payments. You are in charge of your own power and providing energy to the grid. The earlier you invest in solar, the quicker you will see the effect on your utility bills (and that’s only going to become a better deal as prices rise!).
It sounds like I’m a good fit for solar. What do I do next?
If you’re interested in solar, here are some next steps based on your journey.
I want a proposal right away:
Solar Installers/Designers like Arch Solar will be your best bet for getting an accurate system cost. They will perform a site visit, dive into electrical consumption, and provide a detailed financial analysis.
Get Your Free Solar Quote Today
I’m curious and in the middle of my research:
Chat with organizations like the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), Renew Wisconsin, or Focus on Energy.
We also recommend exploring the Learn section of Arch’s website for resources on solar in Wisconsin specifically.
I’m just getting started:
Check out this 1 minute video of How Solar Works in Wisconsin:
We hope you’ll join the 1800+ neighbors who have gone solar with Arch in Wisconsin. Congratulations on taking the first step of owning your own power!
