Compare 5 Best Flexible Solar Panels (2023 Reviews and Buyer’s Guide)
By Christian Yonkers /
In this guide to choosing a reputable solar installer in Missouri, you’ll learn:
Deciding to go solar is no easy task, understanding what solar energy is and the benefits of installing solar are only the first steps. FInding a company that is reputable and fits all your needs is the next. Thankfully, despite being ranked 34th in the country for solar adoption by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Missouri is still home to nearly 40 installers.1 Homeowners looking to convert to renewable energy in the Show-Me State will have plenty of options in terms of available installers.
While having your pick of dozens of companies is great, it can also make choosing the best solar company for your purposes difficult. That’s why we’ve reviewed all of the installers in your area and determined the below companies to be the best in Missouri:
You can use the drop-down menus below to see a breakdown of why we chose each of these companies and determine which is most likely to meet your needs.
Pros
Cons
SunPower is a massive national solar provider that services the entire country and all of Missouri.
While this installer won’t provide the personal touch that more local Missouri installers will, it does have decades of experience and manufactures some of the most efficient panels in the industry: Maxeon solar panels. High panel efficiency is a great way to ensure your system is able to offset the well above-average amount of energy Missourians consume each month.2
SunPower also has one of the best warranty packages in the industry, covering performance, equipment damage and workmanship for 25 years. All of these warranty options are great for Missourians who see above-average rainfall that can cause roof leaks if your panels are installed improperly.
SunPower is on the expensive side when it comes to installers, but we feel the peace of mind the high-quality equipment and workmanship you get is well worth the investment in Missouri.
You can read through our complete SunPower review for more information on this installer.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
5 |
A+ |
1985 |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring |
SunPower Panels |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Pros
Cons
Blue Raven is our top pick for those looking for an affordable solar financing option. The company’s BluePower Plus+ loan program offers loans at low interest rates, with minimum down payment requirements and up to 18 months of interest-free financing. This financing structure allows customers to pay off huge chunks of their system within the first 18 months, subsequently lowering the amount of interest that will accumulate over time.
This industry-leading financing helps make solar affordable and accessible, which is crucial in an area like Missouri, where solar energy systems are significantly more expensive than the national average.
Blue Raven has nearly a decade of experience, and it combines its expertise with a 25-year warranty for equipment and power production. It also offers a 10-year workmanship warranty, which is about average in the industry.
This company currently only installs panels, so those looking for batteries or other add-on products should turn elsewhere. Still, we think Blue Raven is a tough option to beat for those who just want a simple solar energy solution.
You can get more information on this company and its services in our full Blue Raven review.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4.5 |
A+ |
2014 |
$$ |
Solar Panels, System Monitoring |
Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower |
25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee |
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Sun Solar is a much smaller company than our top two picks, with a limited service area in Southwest Missouri. While it’s small in size, it’s certainly not limited in scope. This is a full-service solar and energy efficiency company that tackles everything from panels and solar batteries to solar carports and general efficiency home improvements.
As a small company, Sun Solar brings personalization and outstanding customer service to the table. Its technicians are well versed in local incentives in Missouri and local policies and laws, so the company is able to help you take advantage of benefit programs to bring down your costs. This is crucial in MO, where solar equipment is above average in cost.
Sun Solar offers warranty coverage that sits slightly above the industry average, including up to 25 years for equipment and production and 12 years for workmanship. Plus, its techs are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), so you can rest assured that your installation will be done properly and safely.
The company has a limited service area, unfortunately, but we still strongly recommend it if you’re close enough to its headquarters in Springfield.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A+ |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Solar Carports, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Zenernet Solar is a regional company that specializes in low-cost solar equipment. It serves much of the Midwest, including Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and more.
Despite carrying some of the most desirable solar brands — like LG, Qcells, Tesla and REC — the company maintains well below-average prices. Low pricing makes it a great option in Missouri, where systems tend to be significantly more expensive than in other states.
Zenernet was founded in 2017, so it only has around five years of experience in the industry. As a young company, there is a slightly higher risk that the company won’t be around as long as your solar system will. However, Zenernet has shown great growth and a commitment to furthering clean energy as a whole, so we feel comfortable that it will stick around.
This installer provides a nice range of products and services that include generators, panel removal, reinstallation and energy-efficiency home upgrades. Having more than the standard panel and battery services is a great way to appeal to more homeowners.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4 |
A |
$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Removal & Reinstallation, Generators, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Average cost
Pros
Cons
Astrawatt Solar takes a unique approach to push the renewable energy movement forward; its techs are knowledgeable about solar and local energy needs in Missouri and take a no-pressure, educational approach to its sales process. This is a breath of fresh air in the crowded and often profit-fueled solar industry in MO.
Astrawatt provides 25 years of protection for equipment and workmanship. While there’s no production guarantee, the warranty coverage does protect against the harsh weather in Missouri and helps reduce the risk of roof leaks stemming from poor installation techniques and above-average rainfall. Astrawatt also typically installs Tier-1 solar panels such as REC, which come with their own performance warranty, in addition to excellent durability ratings.
Astrawatt Solar also has a reputation for outstanding customer service, scoring mostly positive customer reviews online and maintaining excellent communication throughout each installation. It might be a young company, but it has already established itself as a trustworthy one.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
4.5 |
A+ |
$$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers |
Pros
Cons
ADT Solar — formerly Sunpro Solar — is best known for its warranty coverage, and it’s one of the only companies that rival SunPower in that arena. It provides robust warranties for panel performance, equipment and workmanship for 25 years, which is above the industry average.
Despite being a large company, ADT also has a good reputation for responding to warranty claims. Not only will you have those warranties, but you’ll actually be able to call on them if you need them. Unfortunately, in Missouri, you’re more likely to need them, given the heavy rainfall and frequent extreme weather.
The company has some issues with slow communication, but that’s expected due to its size. We still think this installer is worth at least a consideration because of its affordable pricing and outstanding warranty coverage. ADT is a full-service solar provider that offers quality solar panels, solar batteries, EV chargers and system monitoring.
You can read more about ADT, its company history and its offerings in our complete ADT Solar review.
EcoWatch Rating |
---|
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
Year Founded |
Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
Solar Services |
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
Warranty Coverage |
4 |
A- |
2008 |
$$$ |
Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
Silfab, Panasonic and others depending on location |
25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Solar panel systems are expensive in Missouri, topping the national average by several thousands of dollars.
$27,195 is the avg cost to go solar in Missouri that the average resident can expect to pay to convert to solar energy before any rebates or other perks. This assumes an average cost per watt of $2.59 — which is below average — and a typical system size of 10 kilowatts (kW) — which is above average.
Thankfully, there are some ways to save money when choosing an installer and during the actual conversion process, including:
We’ll expand on these ideas below and explain how each can lower your all-in cost to convert to solar power.
The best way to bring down your initial and long-term cost of converting to solar is to make sure you take advantage of all of the solar benefit programs in MO available to you. Thankfully, Missouri is home to quite a few perks for solar conversion, which, combined, can save you thousands of dollars.
The table below provides a quick overview of the perks available in MO. You can also get more information about these and how to apply for them by checking out our guide to incentives for solar equipment in Missouri.
Solar Benefit Program | Details |
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | Guarantees a credit to your income tax liability in the amount of 30% of your entire system cost, including panels, inverters and batteries. The federal credit averages out to around $8,159 in Missouri when fully utilized. |
Solar Property Tax Exemption | Normally, improvements to your home that raise the value — like solar — cause your property taxes to go up. This exemption prevents that from happening to reduce the burden of converting. |
Net Metering | Net metering is mandated in MO and requires all utility companies to credit you at the true retail rate for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) you send to the grid. That means all of your overproduction can be put toward future utility bills. Net metering helps reduce your system payback period and pushes your total savings closer to the state average of over $18,000. |
Show-Me Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing | PACE financing is a great payment option for low-income households. It offers low-down payment and low-interest rate loans that provide monthly savings and add the monthly system payment to your tax bill. |
Set the PACE St. Louis | This is a local PACE financing program that works similarly to the statewide program. It’s available for commercial solar customers and low-income residential solar customers. |
Local Benefits and Rebates | There are additional perks and rebate programs offered by local electric companies in MO. These include Columbia Water & Light (CWL), Evergy and Empire District Electric. |
Most solar providers offer warranty coverage for their solar equipment, their workmanship or the efficiency and production of the PV panels, and some of the best companies offer all three. In some states, it’s wise to prioritize one over the other, but all three are important and useful in MO:
Finally, getting multiple quotes will allow you to find the most valuable installer in your area that provides the products and services you need. All of the nearly 40 installers in Missouri can charge different prices for an identical system due to varying labor and equipment costs.
We suggest requesting a few free quotes from your top companies and comparing the cost to the value and protection provided. Remember, these companies are competing for your business, and you never know which company might offer the best package for you.
Curious to learn more? You can use our solar calculator to see how much you can save by going solar.
Yes! Installing a solar panel system on your home in Missouri is expected to bump up the value of your home by approximately 4.1%.3 Given the average property value in MO of $236,146, that’s an expected jump of about $9,682.
The increase in property value is expected to be even higher in more expensive areas like St. Louis, Frontenac and Ladue.
In some cases, solar can have a negative impact on a buyer’s perception of your home, but this typically doesn’t negatively affect the value of your home. Some individuals just don’t like the appearance of panels or solar shingles or are overly concerned about roof leaks.
With that being said, areas like Springfield, which have made a valiant effort to promote green building practices and educate consumers on the benefits of renewable energy are more likely to be accepting of solar. Either way, panels are likely to boost the value of your home.
When you’re looking to convert to solar energy, it’s often tempting to consider a DIY solar panel installation. DIY installations end up being significantly cheaper in most cases — usually about half as expensive — but there are some significant downsides and risks associated with installing your panels themselves, including:
We’ll explain these downsides a bit more in the sections below.
We always recommend solar installers with years of experience behind them, partially because inexperience means a higher risk of roof leaks. Roof penetrations are necessary for most solar applications, and they are dangerous if you don’t have experience, putting your property at risk of leaks and water damage.
Doing the installation yourself leaves you at an elevated risk of these problems, and without a professional doing the work, you won’t have any workmanship warranty to cover you in the event of an issue. That means any damages that occur will be your responsibility.
Since Missouri sees above-average amounts of rainfall and leaks are already an above-average risk, a professional installation is that much better of an idea. Ultimately, deferring to a pro can cost more upfront but might save you in property repairs and panel replacement in the long run.
Another major downside of DIY installations is the lack of warranty coverage. Most DIY brands offer five to ten years of equipment protection and occasionally the same in a production guarantee. You’ll never get a workmanship warranty.
As mentioned above, all three warranty options are helpful in MO and help protect you from the cost of damages and repairs going forward. Again, you might spend more hiring a professional installer in Missouri, but you’ll get closer to 25 years of coverage for equipment, production and workmanship.
Finally, the panel brands available for DIY installation usually come with significantly lower efficiency ratings than the top brands installed by professionals. Renogy and Grape Solar, for example, hover between 15% and 20% efficiency in most cases. The top brands offered by pros often top 20% and reach as high as around 22.7%.
Efficiency is the name of the game in areas like Missouri, where energy consumption is high and roof space is limited. The average home in MO uses around 1,039 kWh of electricity per month, which is much higher than the national average of 886 kWh.3
Better efficiency means fewer panels needed for your home to offset your electric bills. You likely won’t save on the upfront costs, but chances are your roof will be able to support the number of panels you need to maximize savings on your energy bills.
Narrowing down the prospects for solar installers can be a time-consuming process in Missouri, especially since there are nearly 40 companies that service the state. There are a handful of factors we recommend prioritizing to save time, though. These include:
We’ll explain why these factors are so important in Missouri below.
First off, we recommend prioritizing the warranty coverage you get with your system.
Equipment warranties protect against defects; performance warranties ensure your panels produce the estimated amount; and workmanship warranties help protect against roof leaks and other issues stemming from improper installation techniques.
Choosing an installer that provides all three warranties is best, and you can base your pick on the coverage included as it compares to the industry averages:
Next, we suggest looking at the overall cost and the financing options that each company provides.
Converting to solar in MO is more expensive than in most other states, with an average pre-credit installation cost of $27,195 as compared to the U.S. average of $23,940. Keeping costs should, therefore, be a priority in the Show-Me State.
It’s also useful to consider what payment options are available from each company. If you know that a lease or PPA would be the only option that would work for you, you can easily rule out companies that don’t offer those.
Finally, we recommend considering a company’s local experience and prioritizing those that have at least five years and ideally 10+ years in the industry.
Longevity in the solar industry suggests that the company is here to stay, which means your warranties will likely persist for decades after the installation.
Plus, more experienced companies are less likely to make mistakes during the installation. This is crucial in a place like Missouri, where improper installation techniques increase the risk of panel damage and roof leaks in the state’s extreme weather conditions.
Our goal is to promote solar energy as a means for our readers to reduce their carbon footprints and save money over time with their systems. To reach that goal, we take great care in reviewing the solar providers available to you. We use the following criteria to rank companies for our ratings in MO:
You can read more about our process by reading through our methodology or by looking at how we rank companies based on these factors below.
We first look at the warranty coverage offered by solar panel installation companies in your area, as we believe this is one of the most important things an installer can provide. This is especially true in MO, where tornadoes, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather can put panels and roof penetrations at an elevated risk.
The industry standards we use to compare companies include ten years for workmanship and 25 years for equipment and power generation. We give companies a perfect score in this area if they offer all three warranties at 25 years each.
Next, since the cost of solar systems in Missouri is well above the national average, we consider the pricing and financing options offered by each company.
Installers that charge around the average price — or provide outstanding value at a higher price — and include things like in-house financing and multiple options rank highest. We specifically look for companies that can offer low interest rates and flexible down payment requirements to make the above-average cost of converting to solar in MO more accessible.
Next, we consider how qualified each company is and its reputation within the local industry.
Qualifications we look for include years of experience, certifications from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), electrician licensing, general contractor licensing and other industry affiliations that establish the company as a leader.
We also read through dozens of company reviews on Google Reviews, GlassDoor, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other review sites to ensure the installer provides good service and maintains adequate communication with its customers.
Experience can set companies apart on a few fronts, including:
We use the industry average of at least five years of experience and give perfect scores to installers with at least ten years of experience.
Many companies in Missouri don’t service the entire state and instead focus on particular areas or major cities. Since companies that do work throughout the entire state will appeal to more customers, we rank them higher than those that specialize in a limited service area.
Next, we look at the services provided by each company. Companies that only install solar panels — like Blue Raven — won’t appeal to as many prospective solar customers as those that also handle solar batteries, EV chargers and other options.
We use the industry standard of panels and batteries to compare companies. Those that also offer home efficiency upgrades, solar monitoring, EV chargers and other add-on solar products and services get higher scores.
Finally, we look at each company’s impact on the renewable energy movement as a whole and the local community.
Companies that are B Corp-certified, align with local solar initiatives and are Green Building Certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) get scored higher in this area.
Below, we’ll answer some of the questions we see most often from solar customers looking to choose a solar installer in Missouri.
Based on our research, we believe SunPower is the most reputable and reliable solar installer in MO. SunPower has been serving and innovating in the solar industry since 1985, making it one of the longest-lasting companies in solar.
Not only does it have longevity and more experience than most other providers, but it also manufactures the most efficient panels on the market and provides one of the best and most comprehensive warranty packages money can buy.
When choosing a solar installer in Missouri, one of the most important factors to consider is warranty coverage. Warranty coverage can ensure that you see the energy savings that are laid out to you by your solar company. It can also ensure the resilience of your energy source during extreme weather. It’s still worth going solar in Missouri, but it’s a big investment that you’ll want to be protected for as long as possible.
It’s hard to know which solar provider will be the most affordable in Missouri because solar installation costs vary based on factors specific to your household. EcoWatch recommends getting free solar quotes from multiple companies to compare installation and panel costs.
You should also compare the financing options we’ve listed for each company on this list and pin them up against your own needs. For example, would it be better for you to pay for your solar installation upfront or take out a loan? Would solar leasing be a good option?
Don’t forget to ask each installer what incentives for your equipment may be available to you. Any homeowner who installs PV panels in Missouri is eligible for a federal solar tax credit, also called the solar investment tax credit (ITC).
However, you may be eligible for other incentives as a Missouri resident. For instance, utility companies like Ameren, Empire/Liberty, Kansas City Power & Light, and CWL may offer solar rebates for varying solar projects.
Lastly, you should know about Missouri’s property tax exemption. This state tax credit provides exemptions to homeowners whose home values increase due to a PV panel installation.
If you’re looking to install solar panels in Missouri, there are more than 40 companies to choose from, according to the SEIA. However, not every company services every county in Missouri.
It’s true that photovoltaic (PV) solar panels work best when they’re soaking up direct sunlight on sunny days, but you don’t have to worry about sitting in the dark when it’s raining, snowing, or cloudy in Missouri. Solar panels can use both direct and indirect sunlight to generate electrical power, so they’re still productive even when the weather is not ideal. Plus, if you add a solar battery to your home solar installation, you can store excess electricity from sunny days to use for later.
Comparing authorized solar partners
Having trouble deciding? Click below and use our process to receive multiple quotes instead: