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:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
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
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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

Missouri Solar Solutions, LLC
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Red Barn Solar
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Athena Solar, LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

MC Power Solar Farm Rolla Mo
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Removal & Reinstallation
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

STL Solar Plus LLC
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Educational sales approach
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Locally owned and operated
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Some reported communication issues
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Some reported issues with customer services
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

Live Smart Construction, LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Roofing Services
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Cain Electric Inc
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Rabco Home Energy Soluitons, LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Lake Ozark Solar
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring

Solar Grids
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Offers a free quote process
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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.