How to Get Started with Solar
Making the switch to solar power is a significant investment in your home that can pay off for years to come. At Drews Solar, it’s our goal to provide you clear, honest information, each step of the way, so you can make the right choice for your family and home.
Steps to Get Started with Residential Solar Power
1. Request a Free Estimate
Fill in the estimate form with the necessary details and we’ll send you an estimate with a tailored solar array to fit your home’s needs and goals, including clear pricing, timelines, and expected savings, so you can make an informed decision.
2. Schedule a Site Visit
We’ll assess your roof and electrical system, take measurements, and talk to you about your preferences for your rooftop solar array. Within a few days of your site visit, you’ll receive a final quote showing your customized array design and components.
3. Sign Up
You fill out the paperwork and we handle the entire installation process, ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish, including permitting and utility interconnection.
Ready to Go Solar?
Fill out the estimate form and experience the Drews Solar difference.
Is Solar Right for Me?
Switching to solar is an excellent option for many homeowners in South-Central Wisconsin. To help you determine if solar is right for your home, we’ve outlined key considerations you can explore here. If you’re ready for personalized support, simply fill out our estimate form to get started.
- Assessing Your Roof: It’s important that your roof is large enough and positioned to receive ample sunlight. The ideal roof is south-facing and shade-free, but east and west facing roofs or roofs with shade for only part of the day are also great locations for rooftop solar. Learn more about rooftop requirements for solar.
- Consider Your Energy Usage: You’ll want to look at how much electricity your home uses and consider your energy goals. On average, solar systems pay for themselves in 7-10 years through energy savings. This depends on factors such as system size, installation cost, energy usage, and available incentives or tax credits. Solar panels typically last 30 to 40 years and you can enjoy decades of free power after the initial payback period.
Understanding Environmental Impact: By going solar, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Your estimate will show you how much of your annual electricity use will be switched from fossil fuels to renewable energy by going solar.
The Basics: How Does Solar Work?
At the heart of residential solar is photovoltaic (PV) technology. Here’s how it works:
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- Sunlight Hits the Panels: Photons from the sun are absorbed by the cells in the solar panels.
- Electricity is Generated: The absorption of the sun creates an electric field which generates direct current (DC) electricity that is then sent to your home.
- Power for Your Home: An inverter system converts the DC electricity to alternating current (AC), which is the type of current that your home uses to power your lights, electronics, appliances and more.
- Reducing Your Electric Bill: Every utility in Wisconsin uses net-metering, which allows you to get credit for all the excess electricity production you push onto the grid, reducing, or even eliminating, your monthly utility bill.
Customized Design and Components
We are committed to offering our customers the options they want, offering a wide variety of high-quality components at a value that will last. We offer both of the most popular inverter systems: SolarEdge advanced string inverters with optimizers and Enphase microinverters, alongside a range of solar panels, including the best-selling QCell and REC panels. We’re also happy to special-order specific panels of your choice so you can get exactly what you want. Not sure what inverter system or solar panels are right for you and your home? We’re here to help you figure it out with honest, expert advice.
How to Pay for Solar
At Drews Solar, we believe in empowering you to make an informed decision about your investment. Many homeowners are pleasantly surprised to discover that solar is more affordable than they expected, thanks to flexible financing options and federal and state incentives.
- Learn about Federal and State Solar Incentives.
- Financing Options: Spread out the cost over time with financing plans designed for solar installations.
- Long Term Savings: While the investment is solar is often made upfront, the average system pays for itself in 7-10 years, and it lasts 30–40 years so your investment pays off over time.

Use this chart to estimate costs
Going solar is an investment in your future. Use this chart below to get a sense of the upfront costs and long-term savings of going solar.
Ready to start saving? Request a free quote today.
Check Out Our Guide To Comparing Solar Quotes
It can be overwhelming to compare quotes from multiple solar companies. Which numbers really matter? How important is the choice of solar panels? How do I sort out conflicting information? Which system is really the right choice for my home? This guide is our honest and straightforward attempt to help you sort it all out.

Drews Solar Service area
We proudly serve homeowners across south-central Wisconsin, including providing home solar installation in Madison, Verona, Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, McFarland, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, DeForest, Cottage Grove, Mount Horeb, Stoughton, Black Earth, Portage, Spring Green, Janesville, Monroe, Lake Mills, Evansville, and surrounding areas.
Check out our service map or contact us today to confirm coverage and start your journey to sustainable energy!
Why Choose Drews Solar?
Locally Owned and Family Run: Serving Madison and south-central Wisconsin since 2016.
Expertise You Can Trust: Over 400 solar projects completed with care and precision.
Committed to Excellence: We handle every detail so you can enjoy peace of mind.
Learn More
Still have questions? Explore our additional resources:
- FAQs About Solar Power
- Environmental Benefits of Solar
- Learn How Solar Panels Work
Make the switch to solar power with Drews Solar and enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable energy for decades to come.