4 Best Solar Companies in Eau Claire, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Eau Claire based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Eau Claire, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Eau Claire homeowner saves $1,585/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Eau Claire
As a homeowner or business owner in Eau Claire, you may be planning on switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a great choice since it has lots of benefits. Because of Eau Claire's decent level of sunshine on average, the solar industry has been growing steadily.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary considerably according to your home’s infrastructure and your household energy needs.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire
Next Step Energy
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Solar Chippewa Valley
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Midwest Solars
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Champion Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Eau Claire
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire
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 Eau Claire
We know that for most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Your household's power bills: Due to very high monthly power bills in Eau Claire, you could save about $1,100 a year with solar.
- The make and model of solar panels you want: Higher-efficiency panels are more expensive, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can take advantage of. In addition, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too pricey an investment for homes that don’t use a lot of energy each month.
There are many wonderful benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your bank account. Plus, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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To find out how much you can impact the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Eau Claire, WI.
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Solar Incentives in Eau Claire
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is receiving government incentives.No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives that can save you some extra money too. For comprehensive information about local incentives, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Eau Claire
There are many reasons to trade traditional energy for solar energy, like saving some money on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.You may be asking yourself – how much do solar panels help the environment anyway? In a city like Eau Claire where energy use is rather high, switching to solar energy is a fantastic plan for homeowners who are eco-conscious.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Eau Claire, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Eau Claire?
The highest-rated local solar company in Eau Claire is Next Step Energy, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it provides a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 13.7 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.