Wisconsin Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

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To be eligible for these incentives and grants, your home, business or organization must purchase electricity or natural gas from a Wisconsin utility participating in the Focus on Energy Program. Eligibility information is available on the Web site at focusonenergy.com, or by calling the Information Center at 800.762.7077.

Site Assessment Programs

Site assessments are designed to give business owners site-specific information about how solar electric, solar thermal or wind electric systems can help meet their energy needs. A facility site assessment typically costs $400 to $600 for one technology. Businesses located in the Focus on Energy territory can receive 50 percent off a commercial site assessment.

A residential renewable energy site assessment typically costs $300 to $400. Homeowners located in the Focus on Energy territory can receive this service by paying just 40 percent of the cost; Focus on Energy pays the remaining 60 percent.

REBATES

Rebates or “Cash-Back Rewards” as Wisconsin likes to call them are available for installing or expanding commercially available renewable energy systems. Rewards vary by renewable energy system type, size and by the amount of energy the system is expected to produce.

Solar electric (PV) systems: Rewards for systems with a capacity of 20 kW or less can fund up to 25 percent of the project cost, with a maximum reward of $35,000. Incentives for nonprofit or local government projects may be approved for up to 35 percent, with a maximum reward of $50,000.

Solar hot water systems: Rewards can fund up to 25 percent of the project cost, with a maximum reward of $2,500 for small systems and a maximum reward of $35,000 for systems that produce over 250 therms per year. Incentives for nonprofit or local government projects may be approved for up to 35 percent, with a maximum reward of $50,000.

Wind energy systems: Rewards for systems with a capacity of 20 kW or less can fund up to 25 percent of the project cost, with a maximum reward of $35,000.

Non-residential biomass combustion systems: Rewards can fund up to 25 percent of the project cost, with a maximum reward of $10,000.

Solar bonus for homes: Owners of Wisconsin ENERGY STAR®Homes and existing homes that have participated in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program are eligible for a $500 bonus toward the cost of their solar electric or solar hot water system.

GRANTS

Businesses and organizations are eligible for Focus Grants if they purchase natural gas or electricity from a participating Wisconsin utility.

Business & Marketing Grant

These grants provide financial support to organizations and businesses that provide renewable energy services for developing their business plans and marketing materials. Focus on Energy can fund up to 50 percent of these project costs, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Business and Marketing Grant Round 11 (PDF) ( 184KB)

Business and Marketing Grant Round 11 (Word Format) ( 265KB)

Feasibility Study Grant

These grants provide financial support for feasibility studies to determine whether renewable energy systems will work for you. The grant is intended to increase the ability of businesses and organizations to make informed decisions about using renewable energy systems by understanding and solving technical uncertainties. Focus on Energy can fund up to 50 percent of these project costs, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Feasibility Study Grant Round 11 (PDF) ( 183KB)

Feasibility Study Grant Round 11 (Word Format) ( 259KB)

Implementation Grant

These grants provide financial support for developing large renewable energy systems with a capacity greater than 20 kW or 5,000 therms per year. The chart below summarizes the qualifying systems.

Solar Electric Implementation Grant Round 11 (PDF) ( 168KB)

Solar Electric Implementation Grant Round 11 (Word Format) ( 235KB)

Solar Hot Water Implementation Grant Round 11 (PDF) ( 187KB)

Solar Hot Water Implementation Grant Round 11 (Word Format) ( 595KB)

Wind Implementation Grant Round 11 (PDF) ( 177KB)

Wind Implementation Grant Round 11 (Word Format) ( 250KB)

Development Grant

These grants provide financial support for large projects that are not eligible for Implementation Grants. These grants co-fund complex feasibility studies, environmental permitting, financing and other developmental activities. Focus on Energy can fund up to 50 percent of the project

costs, up to a maximum of $50,000.

Renewable Energy Development Grant Round 11 (PDF) ( 186KB)

Renewable Energy Development Grant Round 11 (Word Format) ( 251KB)

Grant applications are due at noon on the last Wednesday of every month. If your application is received after noon, it will be considered the following month. Grant applications may be submitted to the Renewable Energy Grant Committee by email to renewableapplications@focusonenergy.com, by fax to 608.249.0339, or by mail to Focus on Energy, 431 Charmany Drive, Madison, WI 53719.

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