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Focus on Energy solar rebate 2026: how much, who qualifies, and how to apply

Updated October 2026. In 2026, Focus on Energy pays $600 per kW for solar on a home, up to $2,400. Businesses and multifamily buildings on a non-residential meter get $600 per kW for the first 4 kW, then $50 per kW, up to $25,000; farms and nonprofits on such a meter generally use the same schedule. The system must be purchased and placed into operation in 2026. You must apply within 60 days of that date, and no later than January 31, 2027. Focus does not list a battery rebate for 2026.

Northwind Solar was founded in 2007 and has completed more than 1,000 projects in central and northern Wisconsin since 2008. Ask us how the rebate application works.

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Wisconsin solar incentives and Focus on Energy rebates
How battery backup works in Central Wisconsin: diagram

Who qualifies for the 2026 Focus on Energy solar rebate?

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin's statewide energy program, paid for by participating utilities. To qualify in 2026:

  • Your utility must take part. The site must get electric service from a participating utility when you buy and install. WPS, Alliant (WPL), We Energies, Xcel Energy and many co-ops and municipal utilities are on the list, but not all. Check the participating utilities list first.
  • You must be the owner or account holder. The applicant is the property owner or the electric account holder.
  • New, listed equipment. Panels and inverters must be new and on the qualified equipment lists. Used, resale or warranty-replacement equipment does not qualify.
  • Size and site rules. The system must be at least 0.5 kW DC, grid-tied and behind the meter. Panels must face within 135 degrees of due south, tilt 5 to 50 degrees, and have less than 15% shading.
  • Home systems must be owned. Leased or rented equipment does not qualify for the home rebate. On business systems, the site owner and the system owner can differ, but the applicant must own the equipment, and ownership must pass to the property owner within 25 years. Leased or rented equipment does not qualify.
  • Limits. The rebate can't exceed the project cost. Focus pays one solar rebate per site for homes, or per meter for businesses, each calendar year.

Existing homes and new construction both qualify. Focus says funding is limited and first come, first served, so reserve early. Read more on our solar incentives page.

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How much will my Focus on Energy rebate be?

Here is how the 2026 schedule works out for a few system sizes. Sizes are in kW DC.

System2026 rateExample rebate
Home, 3 kW$600/kW$1,800
Home, 4 kW or more$600/kW, capped$2,400
Business or farm, 10 kW$600/kW for first 4 kW, then $50/kW$2,700
Business or farm, 100 kWSame$7,200
Business or farm, about 456 kW or moreSame, capped$25,000

Can you stack it with a federal credit? For homes, the federal residential clean energy credit ended for systems installed after 2025, so it is not available for a 2026 system anyway. The 2026 Focus application asks homeowners to confirm they will not claim that credit. If a homeowner can claim it, the Focus rebate is limited to $300. For businesses, Focus does not address federal credits, so ask your tax advisor how the rebate affects your return.

Rebates over $600 in a year may be reported to the IRS on Form 1099.

Sources: Focus Solar for Homes, Focus Renewables for Businesses, 2026 rebate application, PSC of Wisconsin.

Rebate details people miss

Most rebate problems come from timing or paperwork. Watch these four points.

Reserve before you install

Focus strongly recommends reserving rebate funds online before installation starts. Funding is limited each year and paid first come, first served. A reservation holds your place in line. You still send the full rebate application after the system is running, so keep your contract, invoices and install date handy.

The 60-day clock

The application is due within 60 days after the system is placed into operation, and no later than January 31, 2027. The system must be interconnected first. You will need itemized invoices and photos of the array. Focus says processing usually takes 8 to 10 weeks.

No battery rebate in 2026

Focus on Energy's 2026 solar pages do not list a rebate for home or business batteries. A battery is still worth a look for backup power. See our solar plus storage page.

Farms and businesses

Farms on a non-residential meter generally apply under the business schedule, which pays up to $25,000 for solar; confirm with Focus on Energy before you budget for it. Focus also offers custom incentives up to $300,000 for wind, biogas, biomass and solar thermal, but you must get pre-approval before you order equipment.

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How does the Focus on Energy rebate process work?

Step 1 – Confirm your utility takes part

Check the Focus on Energy participating utilities list for your electric provider.

Step 2 – Reserve your rebate

Complete the online reservation before installation. Focus directs customers to work with their Trade Ally contractor on this step.

Step 3 – Install and interconnect

The system is installed, inspected and approved by your utility to operate.

Step 4 – Apply within 60 days

Submit the rebate application with itemized invoices, a site plan and photos, no later than January 31, 2027.

Step 5 – Receive your check

Focus says processing typically takes 8 to 10 weeks after a complete application.

Frequently Asked questions

Who submits the Focus on Energy solar rebate application, me or my installer?

Either can. The 2026 form can be signed by the customer or by the Trade Ally contractor, and Focus tells homeowners to work with their Trade Ally to apply. The check can be made out to the customer or to a company. Ask us how the rebate application works on a Northwind project.

Can I get the Focus on Energy rebate and a federal tax credit?

For homes, the question is mostly settled by the calendar: the federal residential clean energy credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. The 2026 Focus application asks you to confirm you will not claim that credit, and says the rebate drops to $300 if you can claim it. Businesses should ask a tax advisor.

Is there an income-qualified bonus for solar from Focus on Energy?

Focus on Energy's 2026 solar rebate pages do not list a separate income-qualified solar bonus. Focus does run other income-qualified programs, such as instant discounts and home upgrades. Check focusonenergy.com/income-qualified or call Focus at 800-762-7077 to see what fits your household.

Does Focus on Energy give a rebate for battery storage?

Not in 2026, based on Focus on Energy's current solar and renewables pages. The application only asks whether the system includes storage. Watch for changes in future program years.

My solar was installed in late 2025. Do I get the new $600 per kW rebate?

No. The $600 per kW rebate applies to systems purchased and placed into operation in 2026. Before 2026, the Focus home solar rebate was a flat $300 per system. Systems finished in 2025 fell under those 2025 rules and may also have qualified for the federal credit. If you signed or paid in 2025 and the system started in 2026, check with Focus before you count on the rebate.

How much can a farm, business or nonprofit get?

On a non-residential meter, Focus pays $600 per kW DC for the first 4 kW, then $50 per kW, up to $25,000. A 100 kW system works out to $7,200. Focus's business page names commercial and multifamily properties; farms, nonprofits and public buildings on a non-residential rate meter generally use the same schedule, but confirm with Focus before you budget for it. Focus also offers custom incentives up to $300,000 for wind, biogas, biomass and solar thermal, with pre-approval. See our commercial solar guide.

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