Stoughton Utilities | Going Solar?

Going Solar?

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’re here to help provide you with unbiased, factual information to help you no matter what stage of the process you are in.

View the current map of customer solar systems

Is Solar the Right Choice?

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.

Some questions you may want to ask yourself before you begin:

What is your goal for installing solar?
How much of your annual energy use do you want to offset?
Should you go with a ground or roof mounted system?
Is your roof (materials and structure) in an acceptable condition to have solar installed onto?
Do you want a solar electric or solar thermal (hot water) system?
Will your solar system be in a shaded spot through part of the day or at certain times of the year?

If you determine that a solar energy system won’t work for your home, you can still power your home with renewable energy by enrolling in our Choose Renewable! program.

Savings Calculators

Please note that Stoughton Utilities does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided by these sites. Some estimates may use average home energy consumption and average rates to determine a potential return on investment. Please contact us for your historical energy usage, as well as current and projected energy rates.

Energysage Quickly estimate your solar potential and savings by address. Estimates are based on your roof, electricity bill, and actual offers in your area.

Solar-Estimate.org Web-based solar cost and savings estimator that gives a rough idea of the solar potential of your home.

Project Sunroof Your own personalized solar savings estimator, powered by Google Earth imagery.

Getting Started

Stoughton Utilities wants your solar project to be a successful journey. It's a big project, and there's a lot of steps to ensure a smooth process. Once you decide to invest in solar at your home, follow these steps to ensure you get a correctly installed solar system.

Contact local solar installation contractors

One of the most important steps to a successful solar energy system is finding the right contractor. We recommend you always obtain multiple quotes and compare the total costs and payback periods of different systems and installers.

Stoughton Utilities does not endorse any contractor or warrant any workmanship, installation, labor, cost or materials of any contractor. Stoughton Utilities also does not work exclusively with any specific solar contractor, or offer any special programs for any contractors. Be cautious if anyone says they are working for, or affiliated with Stoughton Utilities during a home visit or sales presentation.

There are a number of online resources to help you find and research potential contractors.

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

RENEW Wisconsin A renewable energy advocacy group that 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 any customer complaints filed with the BBB. Also consider searching social media to find out what others are saying about the contractor.

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.
We recommend obtaining at least three system proposals and price quotes. Be sure to check the customer references provided, and consider asking about the company on social media.
Obtain a written project proposal and review the project expectations, including the solar system’s expected annual output.
Confirm the contractor carries worker’s compensation and liability insurance policies.
Review and verify any information you are provided regarding payback periods and electric rate information.
Review and verify that the contractor has obtained all required building and electrical permits.
Make sure Stoughton Utilities has approved the solar PV system for interconnection to our electrical distribution system before you sign off on the project or make payment.

Contact Stoughton Utilities

Let us know if we can assist you during as you get started with a solar project. We are available if you have any questions about a planned solar project, including letting you know what you might expect during a solar installation project, providing information about what we require from your installer during the application process including any applicable fees, providing information about historical usage, providing current and forecasted electrical rates for your return on investment calculations, and more.

Once you have selected a solar installer we will work them them through the course of your installation project.

Optional pre-Application report

Customers planning a new solar installation can request an optional pre-application report about the utility's distribution system and substation conditions at their proposed interconnection location. There is a fee associated with this requestion. Please contact us during your project planning stage if you would like us to review your project site and issue a pre-application report..

Complete required interconnection application documents

Complete the Wisconsin Standard Distributed Generation Application Form and Solar Voltaic Supplement form prior to installation. Your solar installer should prepare and submit these forms on your behalf. An application fee will apply and must be paid prior to us beginning the application review process.

Once your application is approved, Stoughton Utilities will ensure that we have the appropriate bi-directional meter installed at your home.

Once the installation is complete, including having completed all local inspections, complete and submit the PSC6029 Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement (systems up to 20 kW), to Stoughton Utilities. You are prohibited from energizing your new system prior to the utility providing you with a fully executed interconnection agreement and authorization to energize.

Obtain local permits

Make sure your contractor contacts the local building permitting officials to submit the necessary paperwork for permits. If you live in the city, contact Stoughton City Hall at (608) 873-6677 for questions regarding permits. Rural customers should contact their town hall for permits.

Installation and inspection

If requested by your solar installer, Stoughton Utilities will schedule a planned disconnection of your electrical service to allow the electrician to safely complete their work in your service panel or meter socket.

Upon installation completion of your solar system, have a final inspection by the City of Stoughton building inspector. If you live in the city, contact Stoughton City Hall at (608) 873-6677 for questions regarding inspections. Rural customers should contact their township for inspections. Confirmation of a completed inspection is required by Stoughton Utilities prior to us providing authorization for you to energize your system.

System commissioning

Stoughton Utilities does not require a formal commissioning process for most residential solar installations. Larger systems, including residential systems over 20 kW, multi-phase systems, and non-residential systems may require formal utility commisioning, including inspection and anti-islanding testing.

Incentives & Tax Credits

State and federal rebates, incentives, and tax credits are available for qualifying renewable energy installations. Visit the resources below to find available incentives that you may be eligible to receive.

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.

ENERGY STAR Renewable energy tax credits for residential energy efficiency projects.

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.

Utility Fees

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has authorized the following fees for new distributed generation interconnections, including solar installations. These fees are standardized and applicable throughout the state of Wisconsin, as set forth in Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 119.08.