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Home solar in Wisconsin

Focus on Energy pays $600 per kW (up to $2,400) for home solar bought and installed in 2026, with applications due by Jan. 31, 2027; net metering is set utility by utility while the PSC studies changes.

Facts checked 2026-11-01, each with a source link below. Programs change often: confirm with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign.

19.4¢average home price per kWh (EIA, August 2026)
Solar can workA state rebate, no sales tax, and no property tax on solar help. But power prices are middling, net metering rules differ by utility, and the PSC has an open review that could change them.

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Net metering Net metering changing

Wisconsin has no single net-metering law; each utility's PSC-approved tariff sets the terms. Most large utilities offer net metering for small home systems, crediting exports against what you buy, but size limits, netting periods and payout for extra power vary. In 2023 the PSC rejected a Madison Gas and Electric plan to cut net metering and opened a statewide investigation (docket 5-EI-157). In July 2025 it chose not to do a Wisconsin value-of-solar study but to keep gathering data on rate designs, time-of-use rates, batteries and virtual power plants. Check your utility's current tariff before you buy. Source

  • 2023: PSC rejects MGE net metering cuts and orders a net metering investigation
  • 2025-07-24: PSC drops a Wisconsin value-of-solar study; investigation continues with no set schedule

Solar credits (SRECs) No market

Wisconsin has no SREC market for home systems. Source

Rebates and incentives

Focus on Energy residential solar rebate (2026)

$600 per kW, up to $2,400 (no more than project cost)

Homes served by a participating utility; grid-tied, behind the meter; bought and installed in 2026; reserve funds first; apply within 60 days of install and by 2027-01-31

open rebate Source

Focus on Energy residential solar rebate (2025 and earlier)

$300 per system

Homes

ended rebate Source

Taxes

Property tax: Exempt: solar energy systems are exempt from general property tax (Wis. Stat. §70.111(18)).
Sales tax: Exempt: products powered by the sun that make at least 200 watts AC are exempt from sales tax, and so is the power they make (Wis. Stat. §77.54(56)); give the seller Form S-211. Source

Solar laws

  • Wis. Stat. §70.111(18), property tax exemption (2026). Solar energy equipment is not subject to general property tax. Source
  • Wis. Stat. §77.54(56), sales tax exemption (2011). Since July 1, 2011, solar-powered products making at least 200 watts AC (or 600 BTU per day) are exempt from sales tax. Source
  • AB 493 / SB 559 (2025-26), community solar (2026). Would have allowed third-party community solar up to 1,750 MW statewide; both bills failed when the session ended on March 23, 2026. Source

Community solar

Limited: there is no statewide community solar law (2026 bills failed), but some utilities and co-ops run their own shared solar programs.

Timeline

  1. Sales tax exemption for solar products starts
  2. PSC opens docket 5-EI-157 on purchase rates for customer generation
  3. PSC rejects MGE net metering cuts and orders a net metering investigation
  4. PSC drops a Wisconsin value-of-solar study; review continues
  5. Focus on Energy announces $600/kW home solar rebate for 2026
  6. New $600/kW rebate applies to systems installed from this date
  7. Community solar bills AB 493 and SB 559 fail at end of session

Federal tax credits

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners who buy solar (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so buying no longer earns a federal credit. If you lease or sign a power purchase agreement (PPA), the panels belong to a company that may still claim a business credit under federal deadlines that tighten through 2027. Ask your installer whether that savings is in your price.

Sources

Last checked 2026-11-01. Incentives are not guaranteed and can change or run out. Confirm every figure with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign. This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.

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