Best 5 Solar Companies in Wauwatosa, WI

With Wauwatosa's clear skies and little rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses aiming to harness the additional sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,200 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installation team can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. On this page, we'll highlight Wauwatosa's most reputable solar companies and provide valuable advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

We reviewed dozens of Wauwatosa solar installers, using the following criteria to determine the best:

• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to look after your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel brands and quality: The leading solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
• Certifications and credentials: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Wauwatosa community for more than a decade.
• Customer feedback and reviews: Most Wauwatosa solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home running through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery storage system.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: You can skip the premium cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity at home. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to help pay for your energy bill.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Wauwatosa Homeowners?

Governments and utilities often incentivize homeowners for switching to solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Wauwatosa

The price and effectiveness of solar panels often depend on the solar company that mounted them. Make your choice based on the following crucial aspects.

Licensing and Training

For solar thermal installations, Wisconsin requires a licensed plumber or HVAC contractor to be the team if the work involves heating equipment or potable water. There are fewer restrictions for solar PV systems, but either your city government or the Wisconsin Division of Safety and Buildings may have to review building plans before you begin. Solar installers can also pursue certificates from trade groups and standards organizations. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Wauwatosa

Your solar modules' type will influence how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar providers include these add-ons, so look for a company that installs them if it's essential for you.

You can plan to spend about $19,400 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Wauwatosa. Check the table in this section to get an idea of the amount Wauwatosa solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Wauwatosa

There are a plethora of ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, and cash payments. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and cannot use solar incentives. Look for installers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your pocket.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Wauwatosa.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. City and state governments and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, rebates, and incentives that could save you more money.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy