Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Eau Claire residents. Solar power can cut your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a reputable solar installer. That’s why we’ve analyzed the options and assembled a guide to the most trustworthy solar installation companies in Eau Claire. These top companies offer high-quality and reliable services.
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. For solar thermal installations, Wisconsin requires a licensed HVAC contractor or plumber to serve the crew if the work involves heating equipment or potable water. There are fewer restrictions for solar photovoltaic systems, but either the Wisconsin Division of Safety and Buildings or your city government may have to review building plans before you begin.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should outline all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.
High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The output warranty ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Going solar can help decrease your electric bills over time. When evaluating the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Eau Claire, solar panels cost an average of $3,880 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 7.4 kilowatts. The typical Eau Claire homeowner spends $20,102 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will take into account additional information based on your desired system's capacity, panel type, size, and required preliminary work. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of the value added by an eligible renewable energy system
Incentive Amount:
Clothes dryer: $25/unit
Heat pump clothes dryer: $50/unit
Clothes washer: $25/unit
Dishwashers: $25/unit
Refrigerators: $25/unit
Dehumidifier: $25/unit
Refrigerator/Freezer/Room AC Recycling: $25/unit
Electric Water Heater (75 - 99 Gallons or 85 Gallon Marathon): $125/unit
Electric Water Heater (100+ Gallons or 100 Gallon Marathon): $300/unit
Heat Pump Water Heater: $300/unit
Solar Storage Water Heater: $300/unit
Air Source Heat Pump/Mini-Split Heat Pumps: $200/Ton
Geothermal Heat Pump: $400/Ton
ECM Blower Motor: $35/unit
LED Bulbs: $1
Occupancy Sensor: $5 Each
LED Exit Sign: $5/sign
LED Fixture: $1/800 lumens
Home Performance Evaluation: Up to $100
Home Implementation Incentives: Up to $500
Touchstone Energy Home Program: $500
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, reduce emissions, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. Eau Claire can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Eau Claire amount to $1,466.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In areas like Eau Claire with moderate sunlight, the period could last 13.7 years per 5 kW of power, but may be shorter if you have low electricity costs or a smaller energy capacity.
The maintenance you'll need to do will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel four times a year. Your solar contractor might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
Yes. Solar panels are independent of the Eau Claire grid and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Bear in mind, however, that a solar system won't take you through a nighttime outage if you don't have a storage system. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
