City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 608, Green Bay, WI 54301
Phone: (920) 448-3300 (8 AM–4 PM)
Website: greenbaywi.gov/permits →
Green Bay solar permit rules — the basics
Solar PV installations in Green Bay require a building permit (racking attachment) and an electrical permit (inverter interconnection), both at City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 608. Phone: (920) 448-3300. Wisconsin DSPS Dwelling Contractor Certification required for the building permit scope. Wisconsin DSPS-licensed electrician for the electrical permit. After city inspections, the solar installer submits WPS's interconnection application for net metering (Permission to Operate). WPS customer service: 800-450-7260.
Wisconsin Statute § 70.111(18) provides a personal property tax exemption for solar energy systems installed on residential property in Wisconsin. This exemption prevents the solar installation from increasing Green Bay property tax assessments. Wisconsin does not have a specific state income tax credit for solar beyond the federal ITC. However, Wisconsin Focus on Energy offers rebate programs for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, including solar. Check focusonenergy.com for current available rebates for Green Bay homeowners.
Green Bay's northern latitude (~44.5°N) and Lake Michigan's influence on cloud cover significantly affect solar production. Estimated annual production is approximately 3,800–4,200 kWh per kW of installed DC capacity — significantly lower than any Texas or California market and lower than the Midwest average. Green Bay has shorter winter days (December solstice: about 8.5 hours of daylight) and frequent cloud cover from Lake Michigan. South-facing roofs at steep pitch (40–45°) maximize winter production, though east/west splits can better match summer usage patterns.
| Variable | How it affects your Green Bay solar permit |
|---|---|
| City Hall Room 608 application | Building permit (racking) + electrical permit (inverter). In-person at 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 608. Wisconsin DSPS certifications required. |
| Wisconsin property tax exemption (§ 70.111(18)) | Solar systems in Wisconsin are exempt from increased personal property tax assessment. Automatic protection — no application required. Prevents solar from raising Green Bay property taxes. |
| Wisconsin Focus on Energy rebates | State rebate program for energy efficiency and renewables including solar. Check focusonenergy.com for current rebate availability for Green Bay homeowners. Subject to availability. |
| WPS net metering | WPS (Wisconsin Public Service) issues PTO after city inspection. Net metering compensates excess production. Verify current WPS net metering terms at wisconsinpublicservice.com. |
| ~3,800–4,200 kWh/kW production | Northern latitude + Lake Michigan cloud cover = lower production than southern markets. Lowest production in this guide. South-facing steep-pitch roofs maximize annual output. |
What solar costs in Green Bay
Installed: approximately $2.80–$3.60 per watt before incentives. 7 kW system: $19,600–$25,200. Wisconsin property tax exemption applies. Wisconsin Focus on Energy rebates (check availability). Federal ITC when applicable. Contact (920) 448-3300 for permit fee.
Common questions about Green Bay WI solar permits
How do I apply for a solar permit in Green Bay?
In-person at City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 608. Phone: (920) 448-3300. Building permit (racking) + electrical permit (inverter). Wisconsin DSPS Dwelling Contractor Certification (building) and Wisconsin DSPS electrical license (inverter) required.
Does Wisconsin have a solar property tax exemption for Green Bay homeowners?
Yes. Wisconsin Statute § 70.111(18) exempts solar energy systems from personal property tax in Wisconsin. This prevents the solar installation from increasing Green Bay property tax assessments. The exemption is automatic upon installation — no separate application is required.
What is Wisconsin Focus on Energy and does it offer solar rebates?
Wisconsin Focus on Energy is a state-funded program providing energy efficiency and renewable energy resources and rebates to Wisconsin utility customers, including WPS customers in Green Bay. The program has offered solar installation rebates in the past. Check focusonenergy.com for current available incentives for residential solar in the Green Bay WPS service area. Rebate availability varies by program year and funding.
How much solar power can I generate in Green Bay?
Approximately 3,800–4,200 kWh per kW of installed DC capacity annually. Green Bay's northern latitude (~44.5°N) and Lake Michigan's cloud-cover influence create lower production than southern markets. A 7 kW system generates approximately 26,600–29,400 kWh per year — still enough to significantly offset average residential electricity consumption of 8,000–11,000 kWh annually in Wisconsin.
How does WPS handle solar interconnection in Green Bay?
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) issues Permission to Operate (PTO) after city inspections pass. The solar installer submits WPS's interconnection application. PTO typically takes 2–6 weeks. Verify current WPS net metering terms and interconnection requirements at wisconsinpublicservice.com before finalizing system design.
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) — Green Bay's dual-utility provider
Unlike most cities in this guide where electricity and natural gas are provided by separate companies, Green Bay is served by Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) for both electricity and natural gas. WPS, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group headquartered in Green Bay, serves approximately 474,000 electric customers and 350,000 natural gas customers in northeast and central Wisconsin. The single-utility structure means Green Bay homeowners coordinate with one company for all energy service changes: panel upgrades, gas line modifications, meter disconnects, and solar interconnection all route through WPS.
WPS customer service: 800-450-7260. Electric emergency: 800-450-7240. Gas emergency: 800-450-7280. For construction-related service changes (meter disconnects for panel upgrades, gas meter changes for gas line work), coordinate with WPS alongside the City of Green Bay Building Inspection Division permit at (920) 448-3300. WPS offers net metering for solar installations; verify current net metering terms at wisconsinpublicservice.com before finalizing solar system design. WPS customers may also be eligible for Wisconsin Focus on Energy rebates for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.
Green Bay basements — the renovation advantage
Green Bay's combination of a 48–60 inch frost depth requirement and the practical economic reality of deep excavation has made full basement construction the dominant residential foundation type in the city. When footings must reach 4–5 feet below grade to protect against frost heaving, adding another 2–3 feet to create a full basement (7–8 feet total) adds relatively little incremental excavation cost while dramatically increasing usable square footage. Green Bay homeowners have built with this logic for well over a century, resulting in a housing stock in which full basements are standard rather than exceptional.
The renovation consequence is significant: first-floor drain pipes in basement homes run through the floor joist space and are accessible from below without any concrete cutting. A Wisconsin-licensed master plumber can access bathroom or kitchen drain pipes from the basement, reroute them to new fixture locations, and complete the work for approximately $600–$1,500 — a fraction of the $1,500–$4,000 or more required in slab-on-grade markets like Allen TX, Norman OK, or Pearland TX. For Green Bay homeowners considering bathroom or kitchen renovations that move drain positions, this basement advantage can mean thousands of dollars in savings compared to the same renovation in a slab market. Contact City Hall Building Inspection at (920) 448-3300 for permit questions.
City of Green Bay Building Inspection Division. Wisconsin DSPS certification required. Contact (920) 448-3300 for current permit fee schedule. Not engineering advice.