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Your Guide to Solar Panels in Missouri: 7 Steps to Solar Panels in Missouri
By Dan Simms /
Solar Panel Cost in Missouri (2023 Local Savings Guide)
Here’s a quick look at the estimated cost of solar in Missouri:
- Average Cost Per Watt: $2.59
- Cost of Average System: $20,124*
- Cost of Energy Without Solar: $45,487
- Payback Period: 13 Years**
- Lifetime Savings of Going Solar: $18,292
*Average system size is calculated using data from the Energy Information Administration. This price is after tax credit.
**Payback period is calculated assuming the system is purchased in cash.
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Cost of Solar Panels in Missouri
According to market research and data from top solar brands, installing solar energy projects in Missouri is less expensive than the national average. The typical cost of solar panels in Missouri is about $2.59 per watt, compared to the U.S. average of $2.66 per watt.
The average size for a solar energy system in Missouri is 10.5 kilowatts (kW), which puts the average solar system cost at roughly $27,195 before applying for the federal solar tax credit, or about $19,037 after the credit is factored in. Keep in mind that there may be additional solar incentives and rebates available to you as a Missouri homeowner.
Blue Raven Solar
Best Solar Financing
Pros
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Astrawatt Solar
Outstanding Regional Installer
Average cost
Pros
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Excellent reputation
- Award-winning company
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
Cons
- Limited service area
- Relatively young company
ADT Solar
Best Warranty Coverage
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- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
Cons
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Solar Panel System Installation Cost in Missouri
Missouri has some harsh winters, which may have some people wondering if it’s worth going solar in Missouri. Plenty of residents seem to agree that the energy cost savings of going solar are well worth it in the Show-Me state because residential solar installations have been on the rise.1 It’s also worth noting that the prices of home solar have fallen 11% in Missouri over the last five years, and with more solar companies working in the Midwest, installation costs are only expected to drop further.2
Solar Panel System Installation Cost in Missouri
Based on the company you choose and the size of the solar system needed to power your home, we’ve estimated that the average solar panel installation in Missouri costs between $20,700 and $27,900 before applying any tax incentives or solar rebates.
The table below shows the average prices for a solar panel system in Missouri before and after the 30% federal tax credit:
| Size of Solar Panel System | Missouri Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
| 8 kW | $20,720 | $14,504 |
| 9 kW | $23,310 | $16,317 |
| 10 kW | $25,900 | $18,130 |
| 11 kW | $28,490 | $19,943 |
| 12 kW | $31,080 | $21,756 |
| 13 kW | $33,670 | $23,569 |
| 14 kW | $36,260 | $25,382 |
Interested in finding the best solar companies in Missouri? EcoWatch has vetted the solar companies installing solar in Missouri to find the five most reputable that offer affordable, high-quality systems. Click here to learn more.
See also: Calculate how much you can save by going solar
What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Missouri?
Solar panel systems in Missouri cost an average of $19,037 after the federal investment tax credit (ITC) is considered. However, you could be quoted anywhere from $14,500 to $25,500 — the typical range of pricing in MO.
The specific cost of your solar system will depend heavily on a few factors, which we’ll discuss below.
Solar Equipment
As you might have guessed, the type and brand of solar equipment you choose to go with will in large part determine your system price.
Luckily, Missouri homeowners experience ample sun — an average of 206 sunny days per year, which is just above the national average. For states with less sunlight, system prices can be higher because high-efficiency panels are needed to make use of what little sunlight is available.
This doesn’t apply in Missouri, which is partly why the average cost per watt for solar panels in the state ($2.59) is lower than in most others ($2.66).
Unfortunately, Missouri residents are no strangers to extreme weather. The state is located in Tornado Alley and gets hit with tornadoes and severe thunderstorms on a regular basis.
As a result, power outages are common, so many homeowners in the area add solar batteries to their setup. These can provide electricity during blackouts, but they do tend to drive up the cost of your solar energy system, sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars.
Solar Financing in Missouri
With solar panels in the Show-Me State costing over $20,000 on average, the financing method you’ll use is an important consideration. Many residents don’t realize that the method of financing can actually affect the system price.
For example, a cash purchase requires that all costs be paid up front, but you’ll only be paying for labor and equipment. A solar loan doesn’t require a large up-front layout, but you’ll end up paying more for your system overall because of finance charges and interest.
Missouri makes solar financing more affordable for homeowners by offering Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.3 This program limits interest rates to make solar financing more accessible.
Unfortunately, there are no solar loan options for low-income households, but there are grants available for businesses and government buildings.
Missouri Solar Installation Company
Just as would be the case with a general contractor or other professional, the solar installer you choose can have a significant impact on the price you pay for your solar equipment. Even if you choose an identical system from two different vendors, your price could be hundreds or thousands of dollars apart because of differing equipment and labor charges.
A company’s average pricing can also vary based on the equipment brands it carries. Just taking a look at the top solar companies in Missouri — RisingSun Solar and SunPower — the price difference is likely to be in the thousands because of the brands each one carries.
RisingSun installs panels from REC, Tesla, SolarEdge, Enphase and Silfab, and SunPower only offers Maxeon panels. These brands vary widely in cost as will the total system costs proposed by different companies.
It’s worth mentioning, however, that choosing a company based on more than just cost is important. SunPower might be more expensive, but its warranty is outstanding, as are its panels’ durability and efficiency ratings.
Additional Considerations and Costs in Missouri
Below are some additional considerations you should think about before going solar in Missouri.
- Permits: All solar panel systems in the State of Missouri must have building permits prior to installation. These need to be pulled by an electrician in most cases, so double check with your installer that they will handle the permitting process.
- Licenses: Missouri is one of the few states that doesn’t have general contractor licenses, and there are no specific licensing requirements for installing solar panels. However, you should make certain your company is registered with the MO Secretary of State, as is required by law.
- Warranties: Solar warranties are crucial, not only because they protect your system from damage and improper installation, but also because they help guarantee a certain level of efficiency. You might want to prioritize warranty coverage when shopping around, as longer and more comprehensive warranties bring a ton of value to your system.
- HOAs: Missouri is one of many states that has solar rights laws. These prohibit HOAs, specifically, from preventing homeowners from installing solar panels.
- Environmental zoning: The zoning laws in Missouri don’t normally prevent you from installing solar panels, although you might run into issues with ground-mounted panels in some cases.
Missouri Solar Incentives
Missouri is not one of the top states for solar, but solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in the state. It could be because Missourians are seeking energy independence from utility companies, or perhaps they’re interested in lowering their electricity rates through net metering. Or maybe they just want to capitalize on the pros of going solar.
Whatever your reason for making the switch to clean energy alternatives, we want you to get the maximum reward. We’ve outlined some of the solar incentives available in Missouri below:
| Missouri Solar Incentive | How it Affects the Cost of Solar Panels in Missouri |
| Property Tax Exemption | Even though installing solar panels boosts your home’s value, Missouri law ensures your property taxes won’t budge. |
| Net Metering | Missouri lawmakers passed legislation in 2007 that requires all electric utilities to offer “true net metering” to customers with solar photovoltaic systems up to 100-kW.4 If you don’t know what net metering is, here’s our guide. |
| Local Solar Rebates & Incentives | Be sure to check with your city government and utility provider for any additional incentives offered in your area. For example, Columbia Water & Light, Kansas City Power & Light and Liberty Utilities all offer rebates for installing PV systems. |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit | The solar investment tax credit, or ITC, allows homeowners to claim 30% of their system costs as a credit against the federal taxes they owe. The credit is set to reduce starting in 2033 before being phased out completely for residential systems in in 2035, unless extended by Congress. |
The Best Solar Panel Brands Available in Missouri
There are many brands of solar panels suitable for use in Missouri, but it’s important that you choose one that is right for your energy needs and budget. Some of the best solar panel brands in MO are listed below, along with relative pricing information for each.
| Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
| LG Solar | $$$ |
| Canadian Solar | $$ |
| JA Solar | $$ |
| Mission Solar | $$ |
| Panasonic | $$ |
| Q Cells | $$ |
| REC | $$$ |
| Silfab | $$$ |
| SunPower | $$$$$ |
| Tesla | $$ |
| Trina Solar | $$$ |
When you’re ready to see what your solar panel system will cost, select one of our top providers below. We’ll have a vetted solar installer reach out to you with a free, no-obligation quote and an estimate for what your system will produce.
Read More About Going Solar
FAQs: Solar Panel Cost Missouri
Here at EcoWatch, we field many questions from Missouri homeowners who are interested in going solar. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
The average cost of solar panels in Missouri is $2.59 per watt. Using this figure, a typical 10.5-kilowatt solar system in Missouri would cost roughly $27,195, or $20,124 after claiming the solar tax credit.
Yes! Data from Zillow shows that adding solar boosts property value and that homes with solar panels tend to sell for 4.1% more than homes without.6 It’s important to remember that you can only capitalize on the increase in home value if you own your solar system instead of leasing it.
It’s always better to buy your solar panels if you can because you can’t enjoy all of the benefits of going solar if you don’t own your solar system. For instance, if you choose to lease solar panels, you will not be able to claim the federal tax credit or take advantage of your increased property value. Plus, some of the local Missouri solar incentives outlined above may not apply to solar leasing.
We know it’s expensive, but we always recommend buying your solar panels outright when feasible. If you cannot afford to cover the full cost, put as much down as you can and explore financing options. Oh, and if you see any companies offering “free solar panels” in Missouri, you’re being misled. Solar panels are never free — this is a sales tactic often used by shady companies to sell solar leases.
Yes, it’s possible to eliminate your utility bills by going solar, especially with Missouri’s great net metering program. If your solar system generates more energy than what is needed to power your home, you’ll not only eliminate your energy bill, but you’ll receive credits for contributing energy to your local power grid. Then you can use those credits to lower or eliminate your power bills during months when your solar panels aren’t as efficient, like in the winter or during severe weather seasons.
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A+Best Solar Financing2014Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee
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