2023 Solar Incentives Guide for St Peters, MO - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in St Peters.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted St Peters solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 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.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in St Peters?

Wabash Valley Power Association (28 Member Cooperatives) - Residential Energy Efficiency Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $500
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250 - $750
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400/unit
HVAC: Varies depending on ZIP code. See program website

Empire District Electric - Solar PV Rebates

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
$0.25 per watt for systems operational between July 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023

Solar Property Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Ameren Missouri (Electric) - Residential Heating and Cooling Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Air-Source Heat Pump: $500-$900
Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump: $300-$500
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $175-$200
Ground Source Heat Pump: $800-$2,000
Central Air Conditioner: $300-$500
Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM): $50-$100
Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Tune-Up: $75

Local Option - Clean Energy Development Boards

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
Financing contracts limited to 20 years or less; improvements must display a positive economic benefit over the life of the contract.

Cuivre River Electric - Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Water Heater: $50
Ground-Source Heat Pumps: $750/ton
Ground-Source Heat Pump Replacement: $150/ton
Dual Fuel Heat Pumps: $150/ton
Basement/Crawl space/slab insulation: 50% of installed cost
Advanced Thermostat: 50% of installed cost
Heat Pump Water Heater: 50% of installed cost
Window Air Conditioning: 50% of installed cost
Business Lighting Rebate: Varies, visit program website or contact utility for details

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are meant to help mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. This category of financial incentives is in place to encourage more homeowners to switch to renewable energy. Incentives could include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, while others are provided by the Missouri government or your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:

  • Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the value that your solar panels add when you calculate the amount of property tax you need to pay on your house.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. These differ from tax deductions.
  • Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically applied prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. These rebates may be provided by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
  • Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your St Peters utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that you think of when thinking about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC can be credited towards the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system must have been installed after January 1, 2006 on a property owned by you for you to be eligible for the credit. Originally, the ITC covered 30% of all system installation costs (panels, equipment, accessories and labor), although the covered amount has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the claim amount.

To best understand how the ITC might apply to your situation, call your local St Peters solar panel installer and request more information.

The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit has increased the current credit up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. At this point, the credit percentage will decrease slightly each year until the program expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to get in touch with your local St Peters solar panel installation expert.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Not all solar incentives are federal; rebates, tax credits and more might also be offered at the local or state level. The incentives — which may be handled by the state of Missouri, or by your county or municipality — could be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in St Peters

There are a variety of solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the Missouri government and those given by the federal government, to name a few. Solar energy utilization has grown enormously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. We recommend talking to your local St Peters solar installation company to learn more about these incentives and to make sure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar system.

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

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's St Peters, MO Solar Incentives FAQs

If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?

If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If your system was installed between 2006 and 2021, you may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the year it was installed. Speaking with the company that installed your system, or any local St Peters solar installer, can help you understand what incentives you might want to apply for.

How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in St Peters?

Typically, homeowners in St Peters who install solar panels save around $809.62 per year, or around $15,382.74 over 20 years after they make the switch.

What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?

Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. You can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 500 pounds annually, or roughly 13,000 pounds in 20 years.

When does the federal solar tax credit end?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly called the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.

Can I claim incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

Yes, you can receive both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of your solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are eligible for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming incentives correctly and getting the most money possible.

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.

Solar incentive 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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