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Federal incentives
Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D)
30% for systems installed 2022–2025; not available for installations completed after December 31, 2025[1]
The 30% federal credit for homeowners who bought solar ended with Public Law 119-21. A system counts in the year its installation is completed, so paying in 2025 for a 2026 installation does not qualify.
- Who
- Homeowners who bought and installed a system by December 31, 2025 claim it on IRS Form 5695 for that tax year.
- Deadline
- December 31, 2025
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
Business credit for leased and PPA systems (48E)
Claimed by the system owner, not the homeowner; solar must begin construction by July 4, 2026 or be in service by December 31, 2027[2]
If a company owns the panels on your roof (a lease or power purchase agreement), that company may claim the business clean electricity investment credit and can reflect it in your price. You cannot claim it yourself.
- Who
- Third-party-owned systems (leases and PPAs). Ask the provider whether the price assumes this credit.
- Deadline
- December 31, 2027
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
State incentives in Wisconsin
Focus on Energy Solar for Homes rebate
$600 per kW, up to $2,400 for a single-family home (multifamily up to $25,000)[3]
Residential systems of at least 0.5 kWDC purchased and installed in 2026 at a site served by a participating utility (tilt 5-50 degrees, within 135 degrees of due south, under 15% shading, qualified equipment); apply within 60 days of installation and no later than January 31, 2027.
- Who
- Residential systems of at least 0.5 kWDC purchased and installed in 2026 at a site served by a participating utility (tilt 5-50 degrees, within 135 degrees of due south, under 15% shading, qualified equipment); apply within 60 days of installation and no later than January 31, 2027.
- Maximum
- $2,400
- Deadline
- January 31, 2027
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
Property tax exemption for solar energy systems (Wis. Stat. 70.111(18))
Solar energy system equipment is exempt from property tax (equipment that would be part of a conventional energy system is not exempt)[4]
Owners of solar (also wind and biogas) energy systems; file Form PR-303 Energy System Exemption Request with the local assessor by March 1.
- Who
- Owners of solar (also wind and biogas) energy systems; file Form PR-303 Energy System Exemption Request with the local assessor by March 1.
- Deadline
- None set in the source
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
How these incentives stack
Cash rebates are paid first and usually reduce the cost a tax credit is based on. State tax credits only help if you owe enough state income tax. Exemptions (sales and property tax) apply automatically or through a form, and they do not reduce what you owe the installer on paper, so check that a quote does not charge tax that the law exempts. The calculator applies the programs it can model and lets you switch utility rebates on or off.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Wisconsin have a solar tax credit?
No. Wisconsin offers exemptions and utility programs instead of a state income tax credit; see the list above.
Can I still get the federal solar tax credit?
No, not if you buy the system and installation is completed after December 31, 2025 (Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D)[1]). If a company leases you the panels or sells you the power, that company may still claim a business credit and may pass some value on through the price.
sources
[ 4 ]Every number on this page links to one of these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one.
- IRS FS-2025-05: FAQs for modification of sections 25C, 25D, 25E, 30C, 30D, 45L, 45W, and 179D under Public Law 119-21 (OBBB)irs.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
- Public Law 119-21 - Sec. 70513(a) and (g)(5) (48E); Sec. 70512(a) and (l)(4) (45Y)govinfo.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
- Solar for Homes - Focus on Energyfocusonenergy.com · checked Nov 5, 2026
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue - Form PR-303 Energy System Exemption Request (R. 10-22)revenue.wi.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
Incentive list last re-checked November 5, 2026. Programs change; confirm with the program before you sign.
Change log
- Monthly output per kW in Milwaukee updated to [65.0, 86.8, 120.2, 123.9, 146.5, 145.9, 157.9, 142.4, 117.8, 92.3, 71.1, 64.5] kWh/kW/month (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
- Average solar radiation on the panels in Milwaukee updated to 4.58 kWh/m2/day (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
- Solar output per kW in Wisconsin (PVWatts, Milwaukee) updated to 1334.2 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
- Focus on Energy Solar for Homes rebate: now "$600 per kW, up to $2,400 for a single-family home (multifamily up to $25,000)" (ending).
- What the rule says updated to “This rate is for customers who purchase power from the Company under a tariffed rate, with generating systems located on the customer's premises with an aggregate nameplate rating of less than 300 kW” (We Energies - 2026 Customer Generation Rates brochure (CGS NM rate)).