Incentives & Grants

Are you considering a renewable energy system for your home or business? If so, many tools and incentives can help you along the way! These financial incentives may help your dream owning solar panels or a wind turbine become a reality!

Wisconsin Incentives

WPS partners with Focus on Energy. It's a Wisconsin program that helps eligible customers complete cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy offers many tools to help you along the way: a wealth of information, technical assistance and even financial rewards to help you select and install renewable energy solutions at your home, farm or business.

Cash-Back Rewards are available for installing or expanding commercially available renewable energy systems. The rewards vary by renewable energy system type, size and the amount of energy the system is expected to produce. For more information, use the links below or call Focus on Energy at 800-762-7077.

Federal Tax Incentives

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended the Energy Policy Act of 2005. These new acts extend and expand the federal tax credits available for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements made in 2009 and beyond.

The Solar Tax Credit

An eligible Wisconsin resident can claim a 30% tax credit on the installed price of qualifying solar electric and/or solar water heating systems. There is no maximum credit limit for systems placed in service after December 31, 2008, and taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax may claim the credit.

Geothermal Tax Credits

An eligible Wisconsin resident can claim a 30% tax credit on the installed price of a qualifying ground-source (geothermal) heat pump system installed in tax years between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2016. Beginning January 1, 2009, there will be no maximum credit limit.

The Small Wind Tax Credit

An eligible Wisconsin resident can claim a 30% tax credit on the installed price of qualifying small wind systems with a nameplate capacity of 100 kilowatts (kW) or less. There is no maximum credit limit for systems placed in service after December 31, 2008, and taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax may claim the credit.

If You Have a Home Business

If you claim a portion of your home as a business on your federal taxes, you can claim the same portion of your qualifying solar or small wind energy system as a business expense. Qualifying commercial solar electric and solar thermal property is eligible for a 30% tax credit or U.S. Treasury Grant, five-year accelerated depreciation, as well a 50% bonus depreciation if the system is put into service in 2009.

What Must a Homeowner Do to Receive the Tax Credit?

The IRS has established rules on how to claim the new tax credit and can provide the necessary form (Form 5695). At a minimum, you should plan to keep all receipts that prove you purchased the products or materials and completed the improvements. You will also need to have the Manufacturer's Certification Statement in most cases. Contact a trusted tax professional to determine your eligibility for any tax credit.

This information about federal tax incentives was compiled from a Focus on Energy fact sheet.