Solar Projects

Whether you simply want to learn the benefits of adding solar to your home or if you are ready to make a solar system investment, it’s often difficult to know how to begin. We provide you with unbiased, factual information to help you no matter what stage of the process you are in.

In order to determine if adding solar to your home is the right decision for your unique situation, be sure to do your homework and identify all of your solar options. If you are considering installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at your home, please contact Energy Services at 920-462-0251 to learn about available programs, requirements to interconnect to the utility, and review any contractor’s proposals- at No cost to you.  Verifying that your proposals accurately reflect your utility rate, estimated solar generation, and calculated payback is important for you to make the best decision to meet your goals.  We are here to help.

Basic questions to consider before you begin:

• What is my goal for installing solar?
• How much of my annual energy use do I want to offset?
• Should I go with a ground or roof mounted system?
• Do I want a solar electric or solar thermal (hot water) system?
• Will my solar system receive shading during select parts of the day or at certain times of the year?
• What solar installation companies work in our area?

Getting Started

1. Contact Kaukauna Utilities; Let us know when you begin construction of your solar project so that we can ensure the bi-directional meter is installed and we can provide you with any needed assistance.
2. Contact local solar installation contractors; Get quotes and compare the total costs and payback periods of different systems and installers.
3. Complete required Public Service Commission documents; Complete the Distributed Generation Applications prior to installation (scroll down under DG application forms).
4. Obtain local permits; Make sure your contractor contacts your local government permitting office to submit the necessary paperwork and have a structural analysis performed for any roof-mounted application.
5.  Installation and inspection; Upon final installation of your solar system, have a final inspection by the utility/and or local building inspector.

One of the most important steps to a successful solar energy system is finding the right contractor you can trust to do the job right. Here are some helpful resources and tips to point you in the right direction for selecting your contractor.

Solar Energy Industries Association provides information on Wisconsin solar installers, contractors and retailers.

RENEW Wisconsin, a renewable energy advocacy group, offers a map of Wisconsin solar installers to help find quality companies nearby.

Focus on Energy’s Find a Trade Ally tool lets you search for qualified contractors based on service and location.

The Better Business Bureau lets you research companies to see if they are the subject of complaints filed with the BBB.

HomeAdvisor.com lets you gather price quotes from service companies that work with HomeAdvisor.

Tips for hiring a contractor

• Hire only a WI state-licensed contractor with a valid license. Consider installers with North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification.
• Research current solar panel costs in Wisconsin   Click here
• Get at least three bids or quotes.
• Get at least three references from each bidder and be sure to call or visit each reference.
• Confirm the contractor carries worker’s compensation and liability insurance policies.
• Verify that the contractor understands Kaukauna Utilities electrical distribution system interconnection requirements.
• Get all project expectations in writing including the solar system’s expected annual output.
• Ensure that the contractor obtains a local building permit.
• Make sure Kaukauna Utilities approves the solar PV system for interconnection to our electrical distribution system before you sign off on the project.

Kaukauna Utilities does not endorse any contractors or warrant any workmanship, installation, labor, cost or materials of any contractor. We also do not work directly with any solar contractors.

Savings Calculators

Visit the resources below to find out estimated energy production and simple payback.

Visit the resources below to find out what available incentives you may be eligible for.

• Focus on Energy; Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency program offers cash incentives for qualified solar electric and geothermal installations.
• DSIRE; Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. A comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States.
• Federal Tax Credit;  Instructions for completing IRS Form 5695, which applies to qualified solar electric property costs for residential homes that use solar energy to generate electricity.
  • Click here to download the IRS Form 5695 – Residential Energy Credits
• solar-estimate.org; Web-based solar cost and savings estimator that gives a rough idea of the solar potential of your home before deciding if you want to talk to a solar company.

• Wisconsin Standard Distributed Generation Application Form
• Standard Distributed Generation Application Form – 6027 (installer)
• Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement – 6029 (homeowner)