15 Best Solar Companies in Madison, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Madison based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Madison, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Madison homeowner saves $1,824/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Madison
If you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Madison, sorting through so many options can be overwhelming, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many fantastic benefits. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $22,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the top Madison solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s renewable energy needs.To start getting free quotes from the best solar companies in Madison, you can click "get quote" below.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Madison
Drews Solar
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
Full Spectrum Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
Midwest Solar Power
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
All Energy Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Arch Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
SOLENERGY
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Glow Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Epic Electric and Solar Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Synergy Renewable Systems, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
Agsun Corporation
- Family-Operated Business
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
ALL SKY ENERGY, LLC.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Greenlink Energy Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Iconic Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Bright Skies Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Full Spectrum Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Madison
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Madison based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Madison
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Wisconsin solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Madison
While solar panels can help save you a good amount of money on electricity bills over time, it’s important to consider the upfront costs.Some important things that affect the cost and possible savings include:
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost investment for households that don’t need too much energy each month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can take advantage of. In addition, you can save about $22,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- Your income and budget: This guides what type of solar panels you can get.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Due to Madison’s relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your electricity bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you want to reduce your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Madison homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Madison
If you’re considering making the switch to solar power, a variety of government incentives and tax credits can immensely reduce the installation costs and expedite the return on your investment.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also potentially stack the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Madison
An important reason so many consider going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? In Madison, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a significant impact on the planet since solar power is a renewable source of energy.In Madison, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year once they go solar. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other benefits apart from saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- 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
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Madison, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Madison?
In Madison, Drews Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 11.9 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.