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Olson Solar Energy

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9.6

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: April 26th, 2025

Olson Solar Energy, headquartered in Onalaska, Wisconsin, is a family-founded company dedicated to making solar energy accessible and affordable for homeowners and businesses across the Midwest. Established by brothers Cameron and Brandon Olson, the company operates with a mission to bridge the gap between individuals and sustainable energy solutions. With a strong emphasis on customer service and a passion for renewable energy, Olson Solar Energy has expanded its reach to serve communities throughout Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota, Northern Iowa, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan. 

Specializing in both residential and commercial solar installations, Olson Solar Energy offers customized solutions tailored to each client's unique energy needs. Their services encompass a comprehensive process—from initial consultation and site assessment to system design, installation, and ongoing support. The company's commitment to quality is evident in their use of high-grade materials and adherence to industry best practices, ensuring that each solar system is efficient, reliable, and built to last. ​

Beyond installations, Olson Solar Energy is deeply invested in educating the community about the benefits of solar power. Through resources like their "Solar 101" guide, they demystify the technology and financial incentives associated with solar energy, empowering individuals to make informed decisions. Their transparent approach and dedication to sustainability have earned them a reputation as a trusted partner in the transition to clean energy. ​

Video Customer Reviews

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Sam Moseley

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The Good

  • Customized Solar Solutions
  • Comprehensive Financial Guidance
  • Diverse System Offerings
  • Commitment to Quality and Durability
  • Strong Customer Relationships

Customized Solar Solutions

Olson Solar Energy takes pride in offering tailored solar solutions that cater to the unique energy needs of each client. Recognizing that every home and business has distinct energy consumption patterns and structural considerations, the company conducts thorough assessments to design systems that maximize efficiency and savings. This personalized approach ensures that clients receive solutions best suited to their specific requirements. ​

The company's commitment to customization extends to both residential and commercial projects. For homeowners, Olson Solar Energy evaluates factors such as roof orientation, shading, and energy usage to develop optimal system designs. In commercial settings, the team considers operational hours, equipment loads, and future expansion plans to create scalable solutions that align with business objectives. ​

This emphasis on bespoke system design not only enhances energy production but also contributes to long-term cost savings. By aligning system capabilities with actual energy needs, clients can achieve greater return on investment and reduce their environmental footprint effectively.​

Comprehensive Financial Guidance

Navigating the financial aspects of solar installation can be complex, but Olson Solar Energy simplifies this process through comprehensive guidance. The company assists clients in understanding available tax incentives, rebates, and financing options, making the transition to solar energy more accessible and cost-effective. ​

One notable financing partner is Greenpenny, a virtual and carbon-neutral bank dedicated to supporting sustainable initiatives. Through this partnership, Olson Solar Energy offers financing options that cover up to 100% of new solar electric systems, often with no money down and fixed interest rates. This approach enables clients to invest in solar energy without significant upfront costs. 

Furthermore, Olson Solar Energy provides detailed financial analyses during consultations, helping clients compare their current energy expenses with projected savings from solar adoption. This transparency empowers clients to make informed decisions that align with their financial goals and sustainability aspirations.​

Diverse System Offerings

Olson Solar Energy offers a range of solar system types to accommodate varying energy needs and preferences. Their offerings include grid-tied systems, hybrid systems, and off-grid solutions, each designed to provide reliable and efficient energy based on the client's specific circumstances. ​

Grid-tied systems are the most cost-effective and commonly installed, allowing clients to draw energy from the grid when necessary and feed excess energy back into it. Hybrid systems combine solar energy with battery storage, providing backup power during outages and enhancing energy independence. Off-grid systems are ideal for remote locations without access to the utility grid, offering complete energy autonomy.​

By providing these diverse options, Olson Solar Energy ensures that clients can select a system that aligns with their energy consumption patterns, location, and sustainability goals. This flexibility underscores the company's commitment to meeting the unique needs of each client.​

Commitment to Quality and Durability

Quality and durability are cornerstones of Olson Solar Energy's service offerings. The company utilizes Tier 1 solar products, including panels, inverters, and mounting components, all backed by a 25-year production warranty. This commitment to high-quality materials ensures long-term performance and reliability of the solar systems installed. ​

In addition to product warranties, Olson Solar Energy provides a 25-year workmanship warranty, reflecting confidence in their installation processes and attention to detail. This comprehensive warranty coverage offers clients peace of mind, knowing that their investment is protected against potential defects or issues. ​

The company's focus on quality extends to their installation practices, with experienced professionals ensuring that each system is installed to the highest standards. This meticulous approach contributes to the longevity and efficiency of the solar systems, maximizing the benefits for clients over the system's lifespan.​

Strong Customer Relationships

As a family-founded business, Olson Solar Energy places a high value on building strong relationships with their clients. The company emphasizes transparency and open communication throughout the consultation and installation process, ensuring that clients are well-informed and confident in their decisions. ​

Clients have praised Olson Solar Energy for their professionalism and responsiveness, noting the team's willingness to address questions and concerns promptly. This customer-centric approach fosters trust and satisfaction, contributing to the company's positive reputation in the communities they serve.​

Beyond the installation, Olson Solar Energy remains engaged with clients, offering ongoing support and maintenance services as needed. This commitment to long-term relationships underscores the company's dedication to helping clients achieve their energy goals sustainably and effectively.​

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The Bad

  • Regional Availability
  • No In-House Battery Storage Solutions
  • Limited Online Pricing Transparency

Regional Availability

Olson Solar Energy currently serves only select regions within the Midwest—primarily Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. This regional focus means homeowners outside these service areas will not be able to access their offerings. While this allows Olson to maintain a strong local presence and personalized service, it also limits access for those in other parts of the country looking for similar solutions.

No In-House Battery Storage Solutions

While Olson Solar Energy offers hybrid systems, they do not currently promote in-house battery storage products like Tesla Powerwall or other high-profile energy storage systems. For clients specifically seeking robust solar-plus-storage solutions or full energy independence, this may require coordination with third-party vendors or limit available options compared to national providers who bundle storage with installation.

Limited Online Pricing Transparency

Olson emphasizes personalized quotes, which means pricing information is not readily available on their website. While this approach ensures clients get custom solutions based on site-specific assessments, it can be a barrier for those who want to compare upfront costs or budget quickly. This lack of immediate transparency might require more initial engagement than some prospective clients expect.

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The Bottom Line

Olson Solar Energy has established itself as a trusted, community-focused solar provider dedicated to making clean energy accessible across Wisconsin and surrounding areas. With a strong commitment to customer education, quality installations, and exceptional follow-through, the company offers homeowners a smooth and supportive transition to solar power. Their emphasis on turnkey solutions—from consultation to activation—ensures that each project is thoughtfully tailored to meet the specific energy needs and budget of the client.

What truly sets Olson Solar Energy apart is its dedication to long-term customer satisfaction. With a highly rated team of professionals, responsive service, and a willingness to educate homeowners every step of the way, Olson has created a reputation rooted in reliability and trust. Their focus on residential and small commercial projects allows them to maintain a personalized touch that many larger, national solar companies often lack.

For homeowners in the Midwest who are seeking an approachable, knowledgeable, and community-oriented solar provider, Olson Solar Energy presents a compelling option. While their service area may be geographically limited, their reputation for delivering value, clear communication, and dependable solar performance makes them a standout choice. Whether you're looking to lower your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, or invest in a more sustainable future, Olson Solar Energy offers the tools and support to make it happen with confidence.

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What people are saying on Google

Jim Vessey

6 days ago

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Olson Solar listened to our desires, planned and installed exactly as promised. We are currently only paying meter fees. We expect a return on investment years ahead of schedule. Great team members to work with!

Tom Eeg

1 week ago

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I'm very pleased with the solar panels that were installed by Olson Solar Energy in 2023. They provided me with 3 options for the quantity of panels I could install and the proposals they provided outlined the amount of energy each option would produce. I've got to say that the Enphase software they provide that monitors both the quantity of power produced by the solar panels as well as the amount of power used at my home, does verify that the quantity of power produced is right in line with the energy amounts they showed would be produced in their proposal. Based on the power being produced by the solar panels, I'd say these solar panels will be paid off no later than 7 years, but with energy rates rising like they are these days, it will likely be less than a 7 year time period. Solar panels are even more cost effective now (2025) than when I installed them in 2023 due to the high energy rates. I appreciate that Olson staff listened and responded to my multiple questions asked during the installation and they actually provided me with an excellent modification to the layout that assisted in providing the most power generation based on the number of trees around my facility. Olson Solar did provide a project that was more cost effective than proposals I received from other companies and their staff was very friendly and installed the solar panels in the best way possible. I would recommend that they be contacted about a solar panel installation at your facility - especially with the fact that utility rates are rising significantly at this point in time.

Patrick Botz

1 month ago

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I really enjoyed working with Olson Solar. The salesman was professional and very knowledgeable. The installation went smoothly they kept me well informed and they met their installation schedule on time and done very well. I definitely recommend Olsen solar if you are thinking about installing solar panels. I was also looking seriously at using Wolf River. However, after talking to Olson, I realized that WR's was undersized for my needs. WR did everything remotely, and perhaps didn't take into account a large hill that blocks a lot of sun in the winter. Given the discussions about cost with WR, I also wondered if that may have haf some bearing on the number of panels they recommended. Olson also provided more recommendations for financing including a state of MN specific option that WR didn't mention or perhaps didn't know about. After doing my own research I chose Olson Solar. I couldn't be happier that I did! My goal was to reduce my electric usage cost to offset the loan payment. And it has been doing that for over a year now!

Andy

1 month ago

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Olson solar was professional and knowledgeable during the process of installing my home solar system. Install was neat and modern! This is the company to use if you're on the hunt.