With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Madison, WI, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Madison residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Madison:
Company Description
All Energy Solar is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, and serves customers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts. All Energy Solar provides a full-service solar energy integration experience for residential, commercial, ...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
9 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
3 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
4 / 5
Company size and location
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
4 / 5
Vertical integration
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
3 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
4 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Negatives:
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Thomas Muzzey | Westfield, MA | 03-23-2025
Muzzey.t@gmail.com
We are very happy with our new solar system from All Energy. Our questions were answered. The process went smoothly. Communication was clear and consistent..
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Sarah | Westfield, MA | 02-14-2025
Beware of High-Pressure Sales Tactics And Unprofessionalism
initially considered working with [Company Name] for my solar installation, as they were one of my top choices. However, after receiving a better quote from another company, I informed the salesperson of my decision. Instead of handling it professionally, the salesperson began bad-mouthing the competitor, which raised red flags and prompted me to seek additional quotes. Ultimately, I chose a different company. After notifying the salesperson of my decision, I received three follow-up emails the same day despite clearly stating that I was moving in another direction. At that point, the repeated messages felt excessive—borderline harassment. While I understand follow-ups are part of sales, this level of persistence was uncomfortable and unprofessional. I urge potential customers to be aware of their aggressive tactics before engaging with this company.
See full reviewCompany Description
We are paving the way in Wisconsin. We hire, educate, and retain the highest quality professionals in the industry. We deliver financial and environmental benefits through Renewable Energy Management. The technologies and practices used by Arch Solar crea...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Unrated
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Kristi | 08-06-2024
Great for installing on new roofs
We had our 30 panel system installed in July of 2023. Arch did a great job and I have no problems with their product or installation. But I would recommend installing solar panels on newer roofs. Our roof was about 15 years old at the time and with panels rated for a 25-30 year life span, be sure to understand the cost of having panels removed and reinstalled when a roof needs to be re-shingled. When we bought through Arch we asked that question and were told by the sales rep that it was around $4000. In July of 2024 we had to have our roof shingles replaced due to hail damage, and Arch Electric charged $14,700 to have the panels removed and reinstalled. Luckily our insurance covered the cost but if that was not the case, this would have negated any long-term financial benefits of a solar system.
See full reviewBest solar installers in Madison, WI
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Energy Solar | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Everlight Solar | Unrated | Verona | Get Quote | |
| Arch Solar | Unrated | Plymouth | Get Quote | |
| Full Spectrum Solar | Unrated | Madison | Get Quote | |
| Convergence Energy, LLC | Unrated | Lake Geneva | Get Quote | |
| Drews Solar | Unrated | Madison | Get Quote | |
| Synergy Renewable Systems, LLC | Unrated | Stoughton | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Madison
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
Here are some Madison companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Solar Power | Unrated | Madison | Get Quote | |
| Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning | Unrated | Sun Prairie | Get Quote | |
| Csi Sun | Unrated | Highland | Get Quote | |
| Engineering Services Co | Unrated | Blanchardville | Get Quote | |
| Unlimited Renewable Energies (URE) | Unrated | Prairie du Sac | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Madison:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance, and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Madison incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Madison by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Madison:
| Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Renewable Energy Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Focus on Energy Solar Electric Rebate | State | Rebate Program |
| Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Madison
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2.08 to $3.12 per watt in Madison, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.
If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Madison
How much do solar panels cost in Madison?
How much can solar panels save in Madison?
Do I need a solar battery in Madison?
How can you pay for solar panels in Madison?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Madison?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Madison?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Brand quality
- License and insurance
- Vertical integration
- Profitability
- Transparency
- Consumer reviews
- Loan options
- Local service
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.