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10 Best Solar Companies in Franklin, WI

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated April 2024

Every year, more Franklin homeowners turn to rooftop solar panels to add value to their property and lower their carbon footprint. Transitioning to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why we’ve researched the options and compiled a guide to the most reliable solar installation companies in Franklin. These top companies consistently deliver high-quality and reliable services.

Our Recommended Providers

Top Pick
4.7/5
  • High-quality Maxeon solar panels
  • Nearly 30 years in business
  • Great customer service
Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.2/5
  • Long warranty options
  • Insurance available on panels
  • Free Tesla Power Wall maintenance

Top 10 Best Solar Companies in Franklin

SunPower by Sun N Us

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1400 E Touhy Ave Unit 255, Des Plaines, IL 60018 (833) 786-6878 sunpowerbysunnus.com

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Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Consultation
Panel installation

Arch Solar

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1553 S 38th St Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53215 (414) 444-2724 archelec.com

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Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Cleaning and maintenance
Grid-tied solar system
Battery storage
Panel installation

Full Spectrum Solar

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2110 Pewaukee Rd Suite 103, Waukesha, WI 53188 (262) 216-6033 fullspectrumsolar.com

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

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Skilled repairs
Panel installation
Battery storage
Permit assistance
Consultation

Midwest Solutions Inc

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372 North Ave, Antioch, IL 60002 (888) 751-4511 midwestsolutions.info

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Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

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Consultation
Panel installation

Solar Brite Ltd

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3613 SE Overton Dr, Richmond, IL 60071 (847) 417-8154 solarbrite.net

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Panel installation
Skilled repairs

ilumen Solar

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4 N Hillview Dr C, Lake Barrington, IL 60010 (847) 852-3370 ilumen-solar.com

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Battery storage
Consultation
Skilled repairs
Cleaning and maintenance
Panel installation
Financing assistance
Grid-tied solar system
Permit assistance

Certasun

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1582 Barclay Blvd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (312) 638-0800 certasun.com

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Clear pricing policy

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Panel installation
Consultation
Permit assistance
Financing assistance
Battery storage

Smart Sky Solar

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250 Parkway Dr Ste 150, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 (224) 219-0544 smartskysolar.com

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Reliable customer support

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Panel installation
Battery storage
Consultation

Nelnet Renewable Energy

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230 N Hicks Pl, Palatine, IL 60067 (888) 202-5630 nelnetenergy.com

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Clear pricing policy

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Battery storage
Consultation
Panel installation
Cleaning and maintenance
Financing assistance

SolarW - Solar Panel Installer

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1376 Cavell Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035 (224) 707-9003 solarpanelshighlandpark.com

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Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Panel installation
Cleaning and maintenance
Permit assistance
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

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:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

How To Choose a Solar Company

Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.

Check Licensing

It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. For solar thermal installations, Wisconsin requires a licensed plumber or HVAC contractor to be the crew if the work involves heating equipment or potable water. There are fewer restrictions for solar PV systems, but either the Wisconsin Division of Safety and Buildings or your city government may have to review building plans before you begin.

Read Customer Reviews

Look at review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to find out what previous customers say about local solar installers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Be cautious of companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. A quote should outline all costs and identify the solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the option that best fits your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. The output warranty guarantees an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Going solar can help reduce your electric bills over time. When evaluating the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.

  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit for the full solar system cost is available through 2032. Many states offer incentives, too. The credits can lead to substantial savings for solar buyers.
  • Compare system purchase options: Homeowners may purchase solar panels outright or finance payments over time with a loan or lease. Be sure to check key details like fees, annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, and what ownership means when financing solar panels.
  • Look into utility rebates: Local power companies may have extra discounts to motivate homeowners to go solar. Review the qualification rules and rebate amounts with your local provider to figure out your potential savings.

Cost of Solar Installation in Franklin

The average Franklin homeowner will spend around $18,650 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Franklin cost roughly $3,880 per kilowatt, with an average size of 6.9 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees, and will account for your system's size, panel type, and capacity. Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.

Franklin Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive

Website: revenue.wi.gov

Incentive Amount:

100% exemption from sales and use tax for eligible purchases

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: focusonenergy.com

Incentive Amount:

Solar PV: Residential - $200 per kW
Business - 0-5 kW: $200 per kW
5-10 kW: $1000 + $150 per kW over 5
10-100 kW: $1750 + $125 per kW over 10
100-300 kW: $13000 + $100 per kW over 100
300-500 kW: $33000 + $85 per kW over 300

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

100% of the value added by an eligible renewable energy system

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: ecowatch.com

Incentive Amount:

30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Franklin, WI

A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar heating system for your water.

With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.

It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Franklin can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.

Of course. The grid in Franklin already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.

Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Franklin, the average amount someone can save is $1,631 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.

Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive bill credits or payments for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.

The most common types of home solar panels in Franklin include monocrystalline, thin-film and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about which solar panels they work with.

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