System Size = 11.68 kW-dc

Solar Panels = 32 x Qcell 365W

Inverters = Enphase Microinverters

Racking = IronRidge

Location: Menomonee Falls, WI

Estimated Annual Production = 15,200 kWh

2024 Actual Production = 16,000 kWh

5% Over Production!

Installation Price = $31,900

Federal Tax Credit = -$9,570

Focus on Energy Rebate = -$500

Net Investment = $21,830

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2024 Production Value

16,000 kWh x $0.17/kWh = $2,720

2025 Estimated Production Value

15,500 kWh x $0.18/kWh = $2,790

25 Year Savings Estimate = $99,800

Assumes 4% Annual Energy Rate Increase

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7-8 Years

If Ted & Megan commit to deposit their solar savings into an Index Fund with a 7% Annual Return, their solar system could earn them $172,000 over 25 years.

Note: To simplify the analysis, we assumed the annual contributions do not account for any energy cost escalation. As a result, Ted could potentially save an additional $30,000 that wasn’t factored into the reinvestment (assuming electric rates rise by 4% per year), which would boost his total investment return to over $200,000.

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Alternatively, if they did not go solar and simply invested the $21,830 into that same Index Fund, with a 7% annual return, they’d have $118,480 at the end of 25 years.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial, investment, or legal advice.

Solar Panels: 25 Years

Inverters: 25 Years

Workmanship: 25 Years

Expected Lifespan: 25+ Years

Does solar even work in Wisconsin?

Yes! While Wisconsin sees less sunlight in a year than states like Arizona, solar energy systems still provide plenty of energy year-round and can withstand harsh weather conditions like snow, wind, and hail—we’ve never had a solar panel damaged by weather events so far!

Are there any incentives to go solar in Wisconsin?

There are! For Wisconsin residents, there are two rebates/incentives. The Wisconsin Focus on Energy initiative offers up to $600 in rebates on solar systems and the federal government offers a 30% Solar Tax Credit of the purchase price of your system.

How long does a solar installation take?

Our crew is normally onsite for 1-2 days to build the solar array. Leading up to that however, we need roughly 30-60 days to get all of the municipal and utility approvals in place. And then once the system is installed, it usually takes another 2-4 weeks to close out the permits and commission the system.

How is the solar array secured to my roof?

The solar array is screwed down to the roof structure. We use the best roof attachment methods to ensure not only a secure system but also a waterproof system. The roof attachments are designed to keep the solar attached to the roof even during the highest winds and also keep the water out! Ask about our Roof Leak Warranty.

What is “Net Metering”?

Solar net metering, also known as net energy metering (NEM), is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the excess electricity they generate and deliver to the grid. In other words, it allows homeowners with solar panels to sell the excess electricity they produce back to the grid, offsetting their energy consumption and reducing their monthly electricity bills.

Net metering is an important policy for promoting the adoption of solar energy and helping homeowners take advantage of the excess electricity their solar panels produce. It allows homeowners to receive fair compensation for the excess power they generate, which can help make going solar more financially attractive.

Overall, solar net metering is a beneficial policy for both homeowners and utilities, as it helps to promote the use of clean and renewable energy, while also providing a way for homeowners to reduce their energy costs and save money on their monthly electricity bills.

What happens when the grid goes down?

A typical grid tied solar array, without battery storage, will also go down when the grid goes down. This is a safety feature designed to protect utility lineman working on the downed wires. The system is designed to shut off so that solar power is not pushed back onto the utility grid when a lineman is working on it.

To keep your solar array up and running during a grid outage, a battery system with automatic transfer switch would need to be installed. They physically disconnects your solar array from the utility grid during a grid outage so the utility lineman are protected.

Do I need batteries?

No, batteries are not required as part of a solar installation. Batteries are a good idea if you want backup power for when the grid goes down. Without batteries, the solar array will not provide any backup power during a grid outage.

Will my solar system still be working by the time I’ve paid it off?

Yes, we typically see investments in a solar system paid back over an 8-12 year period, and solar systems last for over 25 years! Most of the comes with a 25-year manufacturer warranty—meaning you’ll have years of power-generating life in your paid-off panels.

What happens if/when I sell my house with solar?

While we can’t guarantee anything, here are a few bits of information that may help:

• According to Quicken Loans, “Not only could you sell faster, but owners of homes with solar panels have a decent chance of selling for more. This is particularly true if comparable properties in your area have sold for more because they have solar panels. Rocket Homes data reveals that homes with solar panels are 24.7% more likely to sell for above asking price.”
• According to Zillow: “Nationally, homes with solar-energy systems sold for 4.1% more on average than comparable homes without solar power. For the median-valued home, that translates to an additional $9,274.”
• Locally, a previous Home Team Energy customer recently sold their home (mid 2023) and said “I am not sure if I could say the solar contributed to the overall increased price point, but it did persuade the buyers into making an offer on our house. With this experience, I think whether you stay in your house or sell you will at least break even. I don’t think there is a loss. So knowing that and seeing the drop in the utility bill, I don’t want to wait too long and don’t see any drawbacks to doing it all over again.”