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

  • Racine Solar Installation Cost: $18,973
  • 25-Year Savings: $28,059
  • Payback Period: 11.6 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

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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 Racine

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

In Racine, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Racine is around 7.0 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $18,973 for a solar installation, or $27,131 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

The actual price you pay can go higher or lower than the average in Racine based on a variety of factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite fruitful, with a net average savings of about $22,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.

You can click the button below to get connected with a pre-vetted solar company in Racine for a quote for your home.

Solar savings over time in Racine

Year Return on Investment
1 years $-17,678
3 years $-15,087
5 years $-12,496
7 years $-9,905
9 years $-7,314
11 years $-4,723
13 years $-2,132
15 years $459
17 years $3,050
19 years $5,641
21 years $8,232
23 years $10,823
25 years $13,414

Top Solar Installers in Racine

When switching to solar energy, many homeowners opt to use a solar installer since putting up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Plus, if you’re not certain what type of solar panels and equipment you want, a solar company can help you figure that out after a site survey and consultation.

If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t certain which solar installer to go with, here are our suggestions for providers in Racine:

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 Racine

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Racine

The cost of installing a solar system in Racine can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is the size of the system your home needs, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the major factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems that have greater efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,880.The brand and type of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for a solar system out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are a popular route because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay off the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The last major cost factor you should take into consideration is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of renewable energy solutions in Racine, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or add-on services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

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 $18,072 12.1 years
8 kW $3.96 $22,163 $24,531 11.9 years
10 kW $3.88 $27,160 $31,206 11.6 years
12 kW $3.80 $31,940 $38,099 11.4 years
14 kW $3.72 $36,503 $45,210 11.2 years
16 kW $3.65 $40,849 $52,538 10.9 years
18 kW $3.57 $44,977 $60,082 10.7 years
20 kW $3.49 $48,888 $67,845 10.5 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

There are a lot of companies to choose from in Racine, and some homeowners feel overwhelmed considering their options. Selecting the right company for you can be challenging, so here are some tips to help you decide:

  • Warranty: Warranties that cover replacement parts and repairs over around 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering that kind of warranty is one mark of a good company.
  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies offer various brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel installer you’re considering has it.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a sound reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from previous customers.
  • Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the installation process.

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 Racine, WI Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Racine?

This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $19,400 for a 5-kW system and $38,800 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want extra solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Racine?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Racine. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

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

Each state has some form of net metering programs except Tennessee, South Dakota and Alabama currently. Some states allow you to sell power back to the grid, but others just offer you credit toward your future power bills.

What solar power system size is right for my home?

To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

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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