Why is solar still a good investment?

Barrett Lione-Seaton
Mar 28
3 min read

And why is that especially true in Wisconsin?

By Rick Chamberlin Mar 25, 2026

21.6 kW system in Portage

Photo credit: https://www.pierrestephenson.com

The sun may have set on the federal tax credit for residential solar, but the economic benefits of solar still shine. There are several reasons why Wisconsin homeowners continue to see significant economic benefits from installing solar.

Rising electricity rates

The cost of electricity in Wisconsin has long been above the US average. Today the cost of that electricity is not just rising, the rate of rise is accelerating. From 2014 to 2024, the average electric rate in Wisconsin rose 28%. The biggest rise took place between 2021 and 2024, when rates shot up over 18%.

Data from the US Energy Information Administration and the International Energy Agency point to these trends continuing well into the future. There are several main drivers:

Rapid growth of AI-driven data centers, which consume massive amounts of electricity
Adoption of electric vehicles
Home electrification (think heat pumps)
Climate adaptation

By investing in solar, homeowners stop absorbing compounding electricity costs that add no value to their property and instead start taking meaningful control of their energy and financial futures.

18.8 kW system in New Glarus

Photo credit: https://www.pierrestephenson.com

Short-term savings

Solar starts paying dividends almost immediately after the system is switched on, because monthly electric bills drop.

Wisconsinites also benefit from rebates through Focus on Energy that significantly reduce the upfront cost of solar. In 2026, qualifying homeowners can claim a rebate of between $600 and $2,400 depending on the size of their system, but most systems qualify for the maximum amount. Our project managers at Midwest Solar Power apply for this rebate on your behalf.

What’s more, Wisconsin is one of 25 states to offer a full exemption from sales tax for residential solar systems.

Long-term savings

Here’s where solar truly shines. Over the quarter century or more of a solar system’s lifespan it will save the average Wisconsin homeowner over $37,000 in electricity costs..

Solar is an inflation-proof investment because it locks in a predictable cost of energy for decades and insulates homeowners from future rate hikes. And unlike many other investments, a solar investment is low risk. Because of how fast energy costs are rising, solar provides returns that often exceed those of the stock market, and actually increase as electricity rates rise.

Solar can also be seen as a form of portfolio diversification, which spreads out the risk of all of one’s investments.

And did you know that Wisconsin offers a 100% property tax exemption on the added value of solar homes?

15.8 kW system in Edgerton.

Photo credit: https://www.pierrestephenson.com

Solar can increase home value

A 2025 study by Solar Reviews, seeking to replicate a 2019 Zillow study, found that US homes with solar sold for an average of 6.9% more than similar homes without solar.

11.3 kW system in Sun Prairie

Photo credit: https://www.pierrestephenson.com

Investing in a better world

It’s hard to put a price tag on our children’s future. Apart from the financial benefits to individual homeowners, going solar helps to build a better world for future generations. If you’re reading this, chances are you already care about cleaner air, water conservation, and slowing climate change. In addition to these tangible benefits to society, solar power also supports local economies. Wisconsin’s growing solar industry currently employs over 3,300 people and contributes $4.6 billion to the state's economy.

11.2 kW system in Middleton

Photo credit: https://www.pierrestephenson.com

Clearly, solar is still a good, safe investment that pays solid dividends in both the short and long term. Learning how you can claim some of those benefits for you and your family is as easy as signing up to receive a free estimate.

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