In short: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha and Racine are all We Energies territory, where homes paid about 19.2¢ per kWh in 2024 and lost about 296 minutes of power each with major storms, 109 without (EIA). We Energies credits monthly solar surplus at about 3.6¢ in 2026, so solar pays best when you use it at home.
This page covers what is specific to the Milwaukee area: one large utility, its 2026 export credit and EV credit, recent storms, permits and charging. For statewide rules, including the Focus on Energy solar rebate and Wisconsin’s tax exemptions, see our Wisconsin energy guide.
Milwaukee at a glance
- We Energies (Wisconsin Electric Power; all of Milwaukee and Racine counties, and our listed cities in Waukesha and Kenosha counties): about 19.2¢ per kWh on average for homes in 2024. Outages: 296 minutes per customer with major events, 109 without; about one interruption a year (EIA-861, 2024).
- Other utilities nearby: city-owned utilities in Oconomowoc, Cedarburg, Hartford and Slinger, and Alliant Energy in western Kenosha County (EIA-861, 2024).
- Sun: about 3.7 kWh per square meter per day, from 1.2 in December to 6.0 in June (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,070 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards: Milwaukee County is “very high” for cold waves and “relatively high” for heat waves, inland flooding, strong wind, tornadoes and winter weather; Waukesha County adds hail and ice storms (FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025).
- Public charging: 168 ports at 70 locations in Milwaukee, 32 in Kenosha, 25 in Brookfield, 22 in Menomonee Falls, 21 in Waukesha and 18 in Racine (AFDC, October 3, 2026).
Your utility and what it means
- Solar exports: on We Energies’ net metered schedule (CGS NM, under 300 kW), what you send and what you use are netted over each billing period. If you export more than you use in a month, the extra is credited at the avoided energy cost rate: $0.03636 per kWh on the standard flat rate in 2026, about 3.3 to 4.9¢ on time-of-use rates (tariff effective January 1, 2026).
- Batteries and EV backup: a home battery or an EV that powers the house only while it is cut off from the grid goes through We Energies’ Backup Generation Application. A battery paired with solar, or one that runs in parallel with the grid, follows the state interconnection rules (PSC 119).
- EV pilot: battery-electric owners on the standard rate get a 4¢ credit for each kWh used between midnight and 8 a.m., up to 400 kWh a month; time-of-use customers get 1¢ on top of their off-peak price. Any charger works.
- Time-of-use: you pick a 12-hour weekday peak window (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.); evenings, nights and weekends are off-peak. We Energies warns you pay more if you do not shift enough use.
Backup power in Milwaukee
On ordinary days, We Energies customers averaged about 1.8 hours without power in 2024; with major events, about 4.9 hours (EIA). Storms in 2026 showed what that looks like: on March 13 gusts up to 70 mph brought rain, freezing rain and sleet, then a March 15 blizzard added more damage, and We Energies restored power to more than 190,000 customers across Wisconsin and Michigan, calling it one of the most severe weather events in its history.
Because cold waves are Milwaukee County’s top-rated hazard, plan for an outage in deep cold: the furnace blower and controls, the sump pump and the fridge come first. A natural gas standby generator handles long winter outages on its own; a home battery covers the shorter, more common ones silently; a portable power station keeps phones, lights and the router going. Compare them in backup power options and size yours with the generator sizing tool or the battery backup calculator.
Safety first: the CPSC says to run generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, never in a garage, and to keep exhaust away from doors and windows; clear snow from around the unit and fit battery-backed CO alarms. A licensed electrician installs the transfer switch or interlock (generator installation).
Solar in Milwaukee
Milwaukee gets a little less sun than the rest of Wisconsin, about 1,070 kWh a year per kW by our rough estimate, with a weak December. Every kWh you use at home is worth about 19¢ at We Energies’ 2024 average, around $205 a year per kW if all of it is used in the house. Monthly surplus earns only about 3.6¢, roughly $40 a year per kW if it were all exported. So size the system to what you use, not to your roof. These are estimates; check yours with the solar potential tool and the solar savings calculator.
Rooftop solar is still uncommon here: We Energies reported about 5,800 residential systems in 2024 among more than a million home customers (EIA). The statewide Focus on Energy rebate applies to We Energies customers; details are on the Wisconsin page. Read solar installation and how net metering works.
Batteries in Milwaukee
We Energies counted 174 batteries alongside its 5,796 home solar systems in 2024, about 3% (EIA). With exports credited at a fraction of retail, a battery that stores midday surplus for the evening keeps more of the value at home, and it covers the short outages. We found no We Energies battery rebate. Have your installer file the right application (interconnection with solar, or backup generation for a stand-alone battery). See home battery installation and home battery cost.
EV charging in Milwaukee
At about 30 kWh per 100 miles, home charging costs roughly $5.80 per 100 miles at We Energies’ 2024 average (our estimate). The EV pilot takes 4¢ off each overnight kWh on the standard rate, worth up to $16 a month at the 400 kWh cap. Milwaukee has 168 public ports (AFDC, October 3, 2026). A Level 2 charger needs a 240-volt circuit and an electrical permit; a licensed electrician should check your panel first. See EV charger installation and the EV charging cost calculator.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Milwaukee: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Permits and inspections
- City of Milwaukee: permits and inspections are handled by the Department of Neighborhood Services; the city’s Milwaukee Shines program keeps a solar permitting page.
- City of Racine: the Building Inspection Department enforces the building, heating, plumbing, electrical and zoning codes and posts the electrical permit application and 2026 fee schedule.
- Waukesha, Brookfield, New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, Kenosha: your own city or village building inspection office.
- Utility approval: We Energies must approve solar and battery interconnection before you switch on. Check HOA rules in writing.
Cities we cover
- Milwaukee
- Waukesha
- Brookfield
- New Berlin
- Menomonee Falls
- Kenosha
- Racine
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Milwaukee energy FAQ
How does We Energies pay for extra solar power?
Use and exports are netted each billing period. If you export more than you use in a month, the surplus is credited at the avoided energy cost rate, $0.03636 per kWh on the standard flat rate in 2026. Power you use as it is made saves the full retail price, about 19¢ on 2024 averages.
Is there a discount for charging an EV overnight in Milwaukee?
Yes, through We Energies’ residential EV pilot. Battery-electric owners on the standard rate get a 4¢ credit per kWh used between midnight and 8 a.m., up to 400 kWh a month; time-of-use customers get 1¢ on top of their off-peak price. Plug-in hybrids are not eligible.
How long are power outages around Milwaukee?
In 2024 the average We Energies customer was without power about 109 minutes on ordinary days and 296 minutes once major storms were counted (EIA). Large events run longer: in March 2026, back-to-back ice and blizzard storms meant restoring more than 190,000 customers over several days.
Do I need to tell We Energies about a home battery?
Yes. A battery paired with solar, or one that runs connected to the grid, follows the state interconnection process. A stand-alone battery or an EV that powers the house only while it is cut off from the grid uses We Energies’ Backup Generation Application and a service change form.
Sources
Utilities, prices, outages and solar and battery counts: U.S. Energy Information Administration, EIA-861 data for 2024. We Energies CGS NM tariff (effective January 1, 2026), customer-owned generation, backup generation, EV pilot and time-of-use pages, and March and July 2026 storm releases. City of Milwaukee and City of Racine permit pages. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Charging: Alternative Fuels Data Center. Generator safety: CPSC. All checked October 3, 2026.