11 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, MO (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Columbia based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best solar companies in Columbia

Thinking of going solar but want to know which company would be best for your needs? Although it can be difficult to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good benefits. With high amounts of average daily sunlight in Columbia, the solar industry is doing fairly well. An overlooked reason for this growth has been national programs that support residential and commercial solar panel installation.

To help you search through the huge amount of Columbia solar installers, we've narrowed down a list of the top ones. To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Columbia, click the "get quote" button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbia

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Missouri Solar Solutions, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Missouri Solar Solutions, LLC

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.mosolarsolutions.com
Address: 4509 E Bridgewood Drive, Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: (573) 999-0841
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Red Barn Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Red Barn Solar

  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://redbarnsolar.com/
Address: 18062 Round Barn Way, Kirksville, MO 63501
Phone: (660) 342-6727
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Athena Solar, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Athena Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.athena.solar/
Address: 703 Vine St., Macon, MO 63552
Phone: (660) 395-0030
Outstanding Local Installer
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MC Power Solar Farm Rolla Mo logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

MC Power Solar Farm Rolla Mo

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Removal & Reinstallation
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.mcpower.com/
Address: 2301 Brewer Dr, Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: (816) 251-4700
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
STL Solar Plus LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

STL Solar Plus LLC

  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer services
  • Con icon Some reports of long wait times for installation
  • Con icon Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.stlsolarplus.com
Address: 3201 Domain St, Saint Charles, MO 63301-8313
Phone: (636) 795-5585
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Live Smart Construction, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Live Smart Construction, LLC

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Roofing Services
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.livesmartconstruction.com/
Address: 15091 Highway M, Rayville, MO 64084-9096
Phone: (816) 895-2813
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Cain Electric Inc logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Cain Electric Inc

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://cainelectricstl.com/
Address: PO Box 1633, Washington, MO 63090-8633
Phone: (636) 397-0016
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Rabco Home Energy Soluitons, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Rabco Home Energy Soluitons, LLC

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.rabcosolutions.com
Address: 14786 Greenleaf Valley Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63017-5541
Phone: (636) 536-0386
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Lake Ozark Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Lake Ozark Solar

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://lakeozarksolar.com/
Address: 178 Big Bear Cir, Lake Ozark, MO 65049
Phone: (573) 217-6485
Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon
SunPower logo

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solar Grids logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Solar Grids

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://solargrids.com/locations/columbia/
Address: 3610 Buttonwood Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 536-9505

Solar Company Ranking Methodology


Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Columbia

We get that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar rests on installation costs. There are several factors you should consider when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:

  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 30% of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
  • How much electricity your home consumes: Homes that consume lots of power each month may call for more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
  • The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won't be able to generate as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on power bills than someone with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
  • System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.

Solar is a rewarding investment for most homeowners. You can make your own power instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the environment.

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Solar Incentives in Columbia

Switching to solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. Local solar incentives vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For more information about incentives that apply to you, check out our our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia

There are tons of reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving some money on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. A question many homeowners might have in mind is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? If your family consumes a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll no doubt find that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's Columbia, MO Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar power company is the best near me?

The highest-rated local solar company in Columbia is Missouri Solar Solutions, LLC, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?

Producing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.8 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

How long do solar panels last?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.

Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.

Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.

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