Rebates For Wisconsin Solar

State Cash Back Incentives

Wisconsin solar rebates from the state are in the form of a cash back payment. If you're interested in setting up a solar hot water or photovoltaic system on your roof, you can apply to the State for a cash back grant on the cost of the system. Home photovoltaic systems attract a 25% cashback to a maximum of $35,000. Solar hot water equipment attracts the same return, but the maximum system value is slightly lower at $25,000.

For application forms and more details, see the Focus On Energy website. Add to this the federal solar tax credit and you have a much more affordable system.

Tax Exemptions

Wisconsin State offers tax exemptions on both the purchase of solar equipment and the increase in property value that comes with the installation of that equipment. These exemptions include photovoltaics and virtually all forms of solar heating including solar pool heating.

To claim the Wisconsin solar sales tax exemption, you'll need to complete the appropriate form and give it to the seller of the equipment. It's a good idea to have the form before you go to purchase the equipment.

The property tax exemption form is simple enough to fill out and covers 100% of the increase in value of your property. This form must be submitted to the assessor of the municipality in which it is located.

Incentives From WE Energies

WE Energies customers who are building new, grid tied photovoltaic systems of 1.5 kW or greater capacity are eligible for a one-time payment from WE to the tune of $0.75 per kWh the system is projected to produce in the first 12 months. Only applicants who have successfully obtained a FOE Renewable Energy Implementation Grant, as outlined above, can apply.

The tradeoff is that WE Energies gets your system's Renewable Energy Credits for the first 10 years of operation, and you need to have a separate WE meter that will cost you a small amount each month. Visit the WE website for more details.

Energy Buyback Schemes

Some utilities offer energy buyback schemes where the power your system produces is exported entirely to the grid and you receive credits for it. You then continue to purchase electricity at the set rates. The exact conditions vary between providers, so contact your local energy company to see what they have on offer in this regard.

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