Solar Powers a Stronger Wisconsin

As of 2022, the solar power industry provides over 3,200 jobs for hardworking Wisconsinites across the state. Those jobs are expected to grow by 11.4% in over the next five years.

The solar power industry has driven $1.5 billion worth of investments in Wisconsin.

Solar power provides Wisconsin farmers and landowners a reliable source of income while agrivoltaic practices help improve efficiency, maximize land use, and increase crop productivity. Farmers across the state and nationwide have made hundreds of thousands of dollars by working with solar companies and leasing their land for new solar projects. Converting land to a solar farm could help generate around $1,200 to $1,500 per acre per year.

Solar power projects increase tax revenue for Wisconsin communities, helping support local schools, infrastructure, and other community needs—which is particularly beneficial in our economically challenged, rural regions.  

The price of solar energy in Wisconsin has fallen by 43% over the last decade, making it more affordable for families and businesses across the Badger State. State and federal tax credits, incentives, and other rebates make installing solar energy cheaper than ever before.

Wisconsin families and businesses have experienced the hardship of power outages due to extreme weather. Freezing temperatures and winds will only continue to further threaten the livelihoods of families, businesses, and electric grids across the state.  Solar power has helped millions of Wisconsin homes and businesses keep their lights on and the power running during extreme weather.

Wisconsin residents can save more than $900 each year on energy bills with solar panels.  With the increased savings from lowered electricity bills and additional incentives such as payment plans, local stipends, net metering, and solar energy system property tax exemptions, systems installed in Wisconsin homes can be paid back in as little as eight years. 

In 2023, Wisconsin ranked 25^th in the nation for installed solar, with enough capacity to power over 206,000 Wisconsin homes. However, that ranking fell by 12 spots compared to 2022, when Wisconsin ranked 13^th in the nation, providing ample opportunity for growth. Over the next five years, Wisconsin is projected to add 4,049 MW of new solar capacity, and is adding over 6,000 clean energy jobs per year, helping grow our in-state solar capabilities and economy.

The Bluff Prairie Community Solar Farm in rural southwestern Wisconsin will help make solar power even more affordable and accessible for low-income Wisconsin homes and families. Under the new project, participating homes will see an annual energy savings of $56 per panel, with homes receiving between one and five panels. The first-of-its-kind program in the state will help alleviate the higher burden energy costs create for low-income households.

Programs such as Solar on Schools have helped Wisconsin schools become more energy independent. School districts in Wisconsin that have switched to solar are saving millions of dollars. Over 200 schools in Wisconsin have installed solar energy to save thousands with each system after installation.