Solar Panel Cost Guide in Milwaukee, WI (2024 Update)

  • Milwaukee Solar Installation Cost: $19,244
  • 25-Year Savings: $27,877
  • Payback Period: 11.8 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in Milwaukee

Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Milwaukee.

While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Milwaukee typically cost about 4.Using this figure, a typical 7.1-kW system would cost about $19,244 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll end up paying for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar system you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is typically good, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on power bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar panel company in Milwaukee for a personalized quote.

Solar savings over time in Milwaukee

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-17,949
3 years $-15,358
5 years $-12,767
7 years $-10,176
9 years $-7,585
11 years $-4,994
13 years $-2,403
15 years $188
17 years $2,779
19 years $5,370
21 years $7,961
23 years $10,552
25 years $13,143

Top Solar Installers in Milwaukee

Many homeowners opt for a solar installer since installing solar panels on your own can be challenging. Another benefit of utilizing a solar company is that they can help you optimize your investment by reducing your future costs of repairs and replacements because of warranties and informing you of local incentives you can take advantage of.

If you're searching for a solar installer in Milwaukee, the EcoWatch team has organized a list of our top suggestions here:

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

See all of the solar companies in Milwaukee

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Milwaukee

The cost of installing a solar system in Milwaukee can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is determined by several factors. The most significant one is the size of the system you need, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar installer you choose.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more energy your household uses, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,880 per kilowatt in Milwaukee.Some solar brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more expensive upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Milwaukee, where sunlight is relatively abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. In addition, if you have a small roof or you don’t have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Milwaukee to be prohibitively steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans remarkably decrease upfront costs for most homeowners, but they also lead to paying more over time because of interest.Even though solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for Milwaukee homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can cut back on how much interest you have to pay.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Milwaukee, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at varying price points for labor and equipment.The company’s size can sometimes play the most considerable role in the installation costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System size Cost per system watt Solar system cost 25-Year savings Payback period
6 kW $4.04 $16,948 $17,578 12.3 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $23,872 12.0 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $30,383 11.8 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $37,112 11.6 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $44,058 11.3 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $51,221 11.1 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $58,601 10.9 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $66,199 10.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the type of solar panels and the installer you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Reputation: Long-standing companies likely have a high reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar project through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by providing the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Homeowners will have different preferences for panels depending on their locations and how much efficiency they need. Although there are many options for which type of solar panel you can get, not every company will have access to the exact one you may want or need, so make sure you take a look at their list of offerings before making your decision.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project timeline.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Milwaukee, WI Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Milwaukee?

The average cost of solar panels in Milwaukee is about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on things like the model of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.

What other factors should I consider other than cost when buying solar panels?

Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.

Can you sell solar power back to the grid in Milwaukee?

Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system generates or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don’t have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.

How long do solar panels last in Milwaukee?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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