Solar Panels in Missouri: A Bright Investment for Show-Me State Homeowners
Are you a Missouri homeowner tired of sky-high electricity bills? You‘re not alone. With Missourians using more power than the average U.S. household and utility rates on the rise, many residents are searching for a better way. Luckily, the Show-Me State offers a bright solution: solar energy.
In recent years, solar panels have surged in popularity across Missouri. Nearly 3 out of every 4 solar projects in the state are now residential installations. And it‘s no wonder why – with plentiful sunlight, falling equipment costs, and generous incentives, Missourians who make the switch to solar can slash their energy bills and even earn money. Some could save $25,000 or more over the life of their system!
If you‘re curious about going solar but aren‘t sure where to start, you‘ve come to the right place. Join me as I shine a light on everything you need to know about solar panels in Missouri, including costs, savings, incentives, top installers, and more. By the end, you‘ll see why solar is one of the best investments you can make for your home, wallet, and environment. Let‘s get started!
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Missouri?
One of the first questions homeowners ask about solar is: how much will it cost me? The good news is, Missouri boasts some of the lowest solar prices in the nation. Thanks to the state‘s prime location and thriving solar industry, the average cost of solar panels in Missouri is just $2.59 per watt. For a typical 6-kilowatt (kW) system, that comes to around $15,540 before incentives kick in.
Of course, your specific cost will depend on a few key factors:
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Location: Missouri may be known as the Show-Me State, but it could easily be called the Sun-Me State. With an average of 4.73 peak sun hours per day, most parts of Missouri enjoy consistent, abundant sunlight – a big plus for solar. Some areas like Jamesport get even more sun, up to 5.4 hours daily. More sun means more energy production, which can lower the overall cost of your system.
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System size: Speaking of sun, how many solar panels will you need to harness it? The answer depends on your energy usage. The average Missouri home consumes about 1,028 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month, or 34.2 kWh per day. Divide that by Missouri‘s average of 4.73 peak sun hours, and you get a solar array size of about 7.2 kW. A setup of this size would cost around $18,648 at Missouri‘s average price per watt. But don‘t worry – incentives can dramatically lower that number, as we‘ll see shortly.
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Equipment: Not all solar panels are created equal. The two main types are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Mono panels are more efficient but also more expensive, while poly panels are cheaper but require more roof space. In Missouri, the abundant sunlight means most homeowners can opt for affordable poly panels. But those in less sunny spots near Springfield may want to splurge for higher-efficiency mono panels to maximize savings.
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Installer: With nearly 50 solar installers to choose from in Missouri, you have plenty of options to find the best fit for your needs and budget. But be careful – some companies use low-quality equipment and high-pressure sales tactics to undercut competitors. For a trustworthy installer, look for ones with proven experience, transparent pricing, and quality products backed by strong warranties.
Solar Savings and Incentives: How Missourians Can Cash In
Now for the fun part: how much can you actually save by going solar in Missouri? Let‘s crunch some numbers.
The average Missouri household spends about $1,617 per year on electricity. If you offset 100% of your usage with a 6 kW solar system, you could completely eliminate that bill. At that rate, your solar panels would pay for themselves in around 9.6 years – a fantastic return on investment. Over the 25-year lifetime of your system, you could save anywhere from $16,819 to $24,905 on electricity costs alone. Not too shabby!
But wait, it gets better. On top of utility bill savings, Missouri offers some sweet incentives for solar homeowners:
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Federal solar tax credit: Through 2032, the U.S. government will give you a 30% tax credit on your solar installation costs. For a $15,540 system, that‘s $4,662 back in your pocket come tax season.
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Net metering: Missouri requires utility companies to offer net metering, which lets you sell excess solar energy back to the grid at the full retail rate. When your panels produce more than you use, you can watch your meter run backwards and rack up credits to offset your electricity costs.
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Solar rebates: Many Missouri utilities like Ameren and Kansas City Power & Light offer cash rebates for customers who go solar. For example, Ameren provides $0.25 per watt of solar installed, up to $2,500.
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Property tax exemption: Thanks to the Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems, adding solar panels to your home won‘t increase your property taxes, even though they boost your property value.
Add it all up, and the cost of solar looks even brighter in Missouri. With the federal tax credit alone, you could cut the cost of a 6 kW system by nearly a third, from $15,540 down to just $10,878. Tack on utility rebates and net metering credits, and your system could pay for itself even faster while putting more money back in your pocket.
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Missouri
You know solar panels can save you a bundle in Missouri – but how do you pick the right installer? While the Show-Me State has no shortage of solar companies, they‘re not all created equal. Here are a few tips to help you separate the "sun kings" from the scam artists:
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Experience: Look for an installer with proven experience in the area, not a fly-by-night company. Check how many installations they‘ve done and how long they‘ve been in business. An experienced installer will help your project run smoothly.
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Quality: Not all solar panels are created equal. Ask an installer what equipment they use. Look for high-efficiency, brand-name panels with industry certifications and strong warranties of 25+ years.
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Expertise: The best installers have solar-specific licenses, bonding, and insurance. Look for trusted industry credentials like NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification.
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Reputation: Check a company‘s reviews and references before you sign. Do they deliver on their promises? Make things right if something goes wrong? A reputable installer will be upfront about costs and realistic about savings. Avoid anyone giving you the hard sell.
Two of the top solar installers in Missouri are Sunsent Solar in St. Charles and EnergyONE Renewables in Kansas City. Both are highly experienced, NABCEP-certified, and use top-of-the-line equipment with warranties. With hundreds of happy customers served, you can trust them to do the job right.
The Bottom Line: Is Solar Worth It in Missouri?
Absolutely! With abundant sunlight, high grid electricity costs, a slew of incentives, and some of the lowest solar prices in the U.S., Missouri offers some of the best returns on solar in the country. By going solar, you can:
- Slash your electric bills or eliminate them entirely
- Earn tax credits and rebates to cut your costs
- Protect yourself from rising utility rates
- Increase your property value
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- Support local jobs and energy independence
In Missouri, a typical solar panel system can pay for itself in under 10 years and save you up to $25,000 over its lifetime. As solar costs continue to fall and electricity prices climb, those numbers will only get better. So don‘t wait – the sooner you go solar, the more you can save over time.
The future looks bright for solar energy in Missouri. The state now boasts over 241 MW of solar installed, enough to power 27,831 homes. Massive solar farms are popping up across the state, displacing polluting coal plants. And with new incentives on the horizon like a proposed solar tax exemption, going solar will be within reach for more Missourians than ever.
So if you‘re ready to take control of your energy costs and invest in a brighter future, solar panels are a smart choice. With a little research and the right installer, you can join the growing number of Missouri homeowners enjoying the sun-powered savings and benefits of solar energy. The Show-Me State is quickly becoming the Sun-Me State – will you be part of it?
