Solar by State / Wisconsin
Data last verified: August 2026Is Solar Worth It in Wisconsin in 2026?
The honest answer depends on four numbers that are unique to Wisconsin: your electricity rate, your solar production, your net metering policy, and your state incentives. Here are the real figures, with sources and dates.
Wisconsin Solar Snapshot (2026)
| Residential electricity rate | 18.9¢/kWh (EIA, 2026 YTD May) |
| Solar production | ~1240 kWh per kW installed per year (NREL PVWatts v8) |
| Net metering | Full retail 1:1 |
| State tax credit | None in 2026 |
| Rebates / performance | None |
| SREC market | No active SREC market |
| Property tax exemption | No |
| Sales tax exemption | No |
Estimate Your Own Payback in Wisconsin
The table above is a 6 kW benchmark. Your home is different — use the Solar ROI Calculator with Wisconsin pre-loaded to get your exact payback, or the 30-second worth-it quiz for a go/no-go verdict.
Wisconsin FAQ
Does Wisconsin have a solar tax credit in 2026?
Wisconsin does not offer a state income tax credit for residential solar in 2026. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired Dec 31, 2025 and does not apply to 2026 installations.
What is net metering like in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin uses full retail net metering. This means every exported kWh is credited at your retail rate — the most favorable setup for solar.
Is solar worth it in Wisconsin after the federal credit ended?
At a typical 2.85/W installed cost and 18.9¢/kWh electricity, a 6 kW system in Wisconsin has an estimated payback of about 11.6 years (rank #19 of 51 states). That is in the middle of the pack — workable for long-term owners.
Compare Wisconsin with Another State
See how Wisconsin stacks up against New Mexico — or use the state comparison tool for a side-by-side of any two or three states.
Popular guides
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