Summary of Missouri solar incentives 2020
In 2020, the cost to install solar panels on your home in Missouri is lower than ever. There are strong solar energy rebates for 2020 to further bring down costs, for folks served by KCP&L, Columbia Water & Light, or Empire District.
While some of the rebate tiers have gotten a little less juicy over the past few years, there are very lucrative solar investment opportunities here, with some farm installations coupled with USDA grants creating immediate payback scenarios.
You can save thousands of dollars off the up-front cost of solar, combine that with another big cash windfall in the federal solar tax credit, and use electricity bill savings to quickly pay back your net costs. The average homeowner will save thousands over the 25-year operating life of their solar panels, and benefit from increased home value and environmental benefits, to boot!
On this page, you can:
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Learn what solar incentives are available to Missouri homeowners
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See what Missouri solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
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Find out how much these incentives and/or Missouri solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
Federal solar investment tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Missouri
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% in 2021. Unless new legislation is introduced in Washington D.C., this program will be gone in 2022.
Net energy metering in Missouri
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume, and make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Missouri requires all utilities to offer net metering to customers with solar power systems up to 100kW. Net excess generation is credited to your next bill at a minimum of the utility’s avoided cost rate.
Now, "avoided cost rate" is short for "how much it would have cost us to burn more coal and make electricity at one of our plants". As you may guess, the avoided cost rate is pretty cheap. Like, you pay $.12/kWh for electricity from them, but they'll only pay you $.03/kWh for excess you send back to the grid. That's why it's really important you size your system well so you don't produce way more electricity than you use.
We’d like to see the law amended to ensure you get credit for your net excess generation, even if you run a surplus every month. Right now, all credit not used after 12 months reverts back to the utility without compensation. While we think the utility should cut you a check for all that surplus instead, at least there’s some credit rolling back to you when you aren’t able to use all the solar electricity you produce onsite.
Missouri solar rebates
Missouri has what basically amounts to a statewide rebate program for solar installations because several of the state's largest electric utility companies offer rebates for their customers.
Property tax exemption
A solar panel installation on your home adds value to it. We’re talking thousands of dollars of value, based on all that electricity you won’t be paying for in the next few decades. Luckily, Missouri realizes that a good way to encourage homeowners to go solar is to exempt all that additional value from property taxes. That’s right, you will not pay a dime in taxes on all that added value!
Cost of solar panels in your part of Missouri after all applicable solar incentives
Showing data for:
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Prices based on a 9.9kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Payback period
9.6-11.7 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$28,070-$34,308
Average size system installed in MO in 2020
9.9kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Missouri
23 solar companies in Missouri provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.57 21 Reviews
Latest review
Francisco Perez, 2 weeks ago
Scott and the technical support team was there for us from the beginning to the end of the installation minimizing issues. Keep up the great support even through this difficult COVID pandemic. Thanks again for everything.
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Latest review
Francisco Perez, 2 weeks ago
Scott and the technical support team was there for us from the beginning to the end of the installation minimizing issues. Keep up the great support even through this difficult COVID pandemic. Thanks again for everything.
4.53 129 Reviews
Latest review
Les Peterson, 1 week ago
Sunpro Solar was my choice because of their warrantees of the panels, inverters, and installation. They also price matched the competition which had a much less warrantee. They took care of all the details with installation, inspections and start up with Public Service Company of New Mexico.
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Latest review
Les Peterson, 1 week ago
Sunpro Solar was my choice because of their warrantees of the panels, inverters, and installation. They also price matched the competition which had a much less warrantee. They took care of all the details with installation, inspections and start up with Public Service Company of New Mexico.
4.43 10 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Our retail store bought a 25KW system from Missouri Solar Application 2 years ago. We have saved a tremendous amount of money on our electricity bills , including heating and cooling.<br /><br />We have made a positive move towards being green and energy efficient. This company is Missouri based, and the equipment is made in the USA.<br /><br />They took care of all the paper work, including helping us get rebates from Ameren UE, and the US Government. Not only is it a wise investment, it has given us tax credits for the next 5 years, and will have paid for itself during such time. <br /><br />Missouri Solar Applications continuously helps us monitor our systems, and are very easy to get in contact with. They even stop by our store to check in on us when they come through Boonville, MO.<br /><br />If you are interested in solar power, and what it can do for you, we highly recommend Missouri Solar Application and their team !<br /><br />Come by our store and see what the benefits of Solar Power can do for your home or business.<br /><br />Imhoff's Hometown Appliance and Service<br />( Residential Appliance Sales and Repair Service )<br />905 Main Street, Boonville MO. 660-882-8688
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Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
Our retail store bought a 25KW system from Missouri Solar Application 2 years ago. We have saved a tremendous amount of money on our electricity bills , including heating and cooling.<br /><br />We have made a positive move towards being green and energy efficient. This company is Missouri based, and the equipment is made in the USA.<br /><br />They took care of all the paper work, including helping us get rebates from Ameren UE, and the US Government. Not only is it a wise investment, it has given us tax credits for the next 5 years, and will have paid for itself during such time. <br /><br />Missouri Solar Applications continuously helps us monitor our systems, and are very easy to get in contact with. They even stop by our store to check in on us when they come through Boonville, MO.<br /><br />If you are interested in solar power, and what it can do for you, we highly recommend Missouri Solar Application and their team !<br /><br />Come by our store and see what the benefits of Solar Power can do for your home or business.<br /><br />Imhoff's Hometown Appliance and Service<br />( Residential Appliance Sales and Repair Service )<br />905 Main Street, Boonville MO. 660-882-8688
4.42 17 Reviews
Latest review
Jmh, over 1 month
Patrick with sovereign solar was fantastic through out the whole process. He offers very competitive pricing allowing his clients to maximize their ROI. I had an issue with a panel under producing and his team was out the next day to replace it temporarily while we waited for the warranty panel. I truly enjoyed working with Sovereign Solar on this install and cannot be happier with the results. We saved $220 the first month after installation on our power bill.
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Latest review
Jmh, over 1 month
Patrick with sovereign solar was fantastic through out the whole process. He offers very competitive pricing allowing his clients to maximize their ROI. I had an issue with a panel under producing and his team was out the next day to replace it temporarily while we waited for the warranty panel. I truly enjoyed working with Sovereign Solar on this install and cannot be happier with the results. We saved $220 the first month after installation on our power bill.
4.32 25 Reviews
Latest review
JOHN, over 1 month
first, the office was local, second the response from the salesman and installation team was very cordial and helpful.
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Latest review
JOHN, over 1 month
first, the office was local, second the response from the salesman and installation team was very cordial and helpful.
4.25 5 Reviews
Latest review
Dave & Wendy, 3 weeks ago
I found them because they were referred to by another solar company because they are more local to my area. I asked for some references and got a list of addresses to view their work. Not only did we go check the references we stopped and talked to home owners. Everyone was happy with their solar installation and how the company treated them. I too am now a happy customer
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Latest review
Dave & Wendy, 3 weeks ago
I found them because they were referred to by another solar company because they are more local to my area. I asked for some references and got a list of addresses to view their work. Not only did we go check the references we stopped and talked to home owners. Everyone was happy with their solar installation and how the company treated them. I too am now a happy customer
4.17 4 Reviews
Latest review
Body shop, over 1 month
I chose Solar Energy and had 2500kw system installed by them they are local and every dependable. I have had my system since 2013 and have had no problems what so ever. I have consulted with them several time with questions about my system and they always are very informant. I would highly recommend Solar Energy for you Solar needs.
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Latest review
Body shop, over 1 month
I chose Solar Energy and had 2500kw system installed by them they are local and every dependable. I have had my system since 2013 and have had no problems what so ever. I have consulted with them several time with questions about my system and they always are very informant. I would highly recommend Solar Energy for you Solar needs.
4.15 9 Reviews
Latest review
Jerry Thompson, over 1 month
<br />Contractor was recommended by the electric cooperative for their competence.
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Latest review
Jerry Thompson, over 1 month
<br />Contractor was recommended by the electric cooperative for their competence.
4.07 12 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I'm residential in the stix of Missouri. I was lucky Brightergy even considered my place as it is remote, wet and muddy most of the year. By the time they were through with the project I had a ground mounted array approx 10kW, with 3 - 1500 watt secure outlets installed from the inverters into my kitchen. I also installed a heat pump and high efficiency water heater in my all electric home. My only bill from the utility for 9 months of the year 2 years now is line usage fees fro the utility. I'm very happy with the quality and quick service. They monitor my installation with the Sunny Boy Inverter's wifi. I can watch it too, from my phone or PC. I enjoy the fact that I can still use the solar even during an outage, to keep my fridge and other essentials powered.
Read more
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
I'm residential in the stix of Missouri. I was lucky Brightergy even considered my place as it is remote, wet and muddy most of the year. By the time they were through with the project I had a ground mounted array approx 10kW, with 3 - 1500 watt secure outlets installed from the inverters into my kitchen. I also installed a heat pump and high efficiency water heater in my all electric home. My only bill from the utility for 9 months of the year 2 years now is line usage fees fro the utility. I'm very happy with the quality and quick service. They monitor my installation with the Sunny Boy Inverter's wifi. I can watch it too, from my phone or PC. I enjoy the fact that I can still use the solar even during an outage, to keep my fridge and other essentials powered.
3.93 13 Reviews
Latest review
Rusty, 1 week ago
Our salesman Mike Mandler was extremely knowledgeable about the systems, but was also forthcoming about what he didn’t know and was able to follow up quickly with answers. He spent a lot of time going through some options, and there was little to no pressure involved. Thank you
Read more
Latest review
Rusty, 1 week ago
Our salesman Mike Mandler was extremely knowledgeable about the systems, but was also forthcoming about what he didn’t know and was able to follow up quickly with answers. He spent a lot of time going through some options, and there was little to no pressure involved. Thank you
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