Is solar worth it in Missouri?
For a typical Missouri home in 2026, solar is a close call: about a 15.5-year payback and $13,820 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 15.5 yrs7 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 14.0¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,411kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- ~32%Avoided-cost export credit
The numbers for a typical Missouri home
| Electricity use | 1,036 kWh a month (Missouri average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 7 kW, producing 9,879 kWh a year (79% of use) |
| Price | $19,950 at about $2.85/W |
| First-year savings | $1,361 |
| Payback | 15.5 years |
| 25-year net | $13,820 (4.3% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 1.7% a year, from Missouri's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity is cheap: 14.0¢ per kWh, 22% below the U.S. average (18.0¢), so each solar kWh saves less.
- Exported solar is typically credited at about 32% of retail, so systems pay best when sized for what you use yourself.
- A typical system here produces about 1,411 kWh per kW per year (ranked #21 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in Missouri
Avoided-cost export credit. Missouri's net metering law nets usage and production within each monthly bill at full retail, but any net excess for the month is credited only at the utility's avoided fuel cost (a few cents/kWh), and unused credits expire after 12 months. Systems are capped at 100 kW.
Monthly net excess generation credited at avoided fuel cost (Ameren ~5.4 cents summer / 3.9 cents winter per consumer guides).
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: Excess credits roll monthly but expire at end of 12-month period, no payout.
- System size limit: 100 kW
- Fixed charges: Standard customer charges; no solar-specific fees known at IOUs.
- Last major change: Net Metering and Easy Connection Act (2007, amended 2013). IOU solar rebates (Prop C) ended ~2020-2023.
- Pending: Periodic bills to reform net metering; none enacted as of 2026 (not verified).
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ameren Missouri | 4.6¢/kWh | Monthly excess at avoided fuel cost (~5.39 summer / 3.92 winter, consumer guide figures). |
| Evergy (Missouri Metro/West) | Avoided-cost export credit | Statutory avoided-cost NEG; some sources claim 1:1 - verify tariff. |
| Liberty (Empire District) | Avoided-cost export credit | Statutory rules. |
Solar incentives in Missouri
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
| Program | Type | What you get | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri PACE | loan program | PACE financing in participating localities (e.g., Show Me PACE) for residential is limited. Eligibility: Participating jurisdictions | unknown |
Ended programs: No state tax credit/rebate.
What solar costs in Missouri
A fair cash price is around $2.85 per watt before incentives. For the 7 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $17,000 to $23,900; smaller systems cost more per watt.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 33,251
- Share of homes
- 1.1%
- Residential solar capacity
- 371 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +18.2%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in Missouri
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ameren Missouri | 1,100,654 | 13.9¢ | 1,032 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Evergy Missouri West | 308,573 | 12.7¢ | 996 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Evergy Metro | 276,162 | 14.1¢ | 893 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Empire District Electric | 144,059 | 15.4¢ | 1,043 kWh/mo | Close call |
| City Utilities of Springfield | 105,859 | 12.2¢ | 866 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Cuivre River Electric Cooperative | 74,261 | 11.9¢ | 1,318 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Independence | 54,199 | 17.3¢ | 811 kWh/mo | Close call |
| City of Columbia | 45,899 | 16.3¢ | 800 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Southwest Electric Cooperative | 41,670 | 12.9¢ | 1,109 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| White River Valley El Cooperative | 39,401 | 16.2¢ | 1,061 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Laclede Electric Cooperative | 35,275 | 13.0¢ | 1,279 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Boone Electric Cooperative | 34,098 | 14.2¢ | 1,091 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Ozark Border Electric Cooperative | 33,262 | 12.9¢ | 1,360 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Ozark Electric Cooperative | 31,915 | 16.4¢ | 1,152 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Co-Mo Electric Cooperative | 31,352 | 15.7¢ | 1,120 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association | 30,009 | 13.7¢ | 1,259 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Citizens Electric Corporation | 24,997 | 16.0¢ | 1,038 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative | 23,816 | 13.5¢ | 1,333 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative | 23,203 | 13.8¢ | 1,141 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Three Rivers Electric Cooperative | 22,757 | 13.7¢ | 1,175 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Black River Electric Cooperative | 21,606 | 14.3¢ | 1,151 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Crawford Electric Cooperative | 19,861 | 13.9¢ | 1,151 kWh/mo | Close call |
| New-Mac Electric Cooperative | 19,527 | 14.1¢ | 1,342 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Webster Electric Cooperative | 19,050 | 10.9¢ | 1,406 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Association | 16,710 | 15.5¢ | 1,297 kWh/mo | Close call |
Solar by city in Missouri
- Kansas City15.7-yr payback · Close call
- St. Louis15.8-yr payback · Close call
- Springfield20.5-yr payback · Not worth it
- Columbia15.2-yr payback · Close call
- Independence15.8-yr payback · Close call
- Lee's Summit15.8-yr payback · Close call
- O'Fallon15.6-yr payback · Close call
- St. Charles15.7-yr payback · Close call
- St. Joseph17.7-yr payback · Not worth it
- Blue Springs15.7-yr payback · Close call
- St. Peters15.6-yr payback · Close call
- Joplin13.3-yr payback · Close call
- Florissant16.1-yr payback · Not worth it
- Chesterfield16.8-yr payback · Not worth it
- Wentzville15.6-yr payback · Close call
- Jefferson City16.4-yr payback · Not worth it
- Cape Girardeau15.7-yr payback · Close call
- Oakville15.8-yr payback · Close call
- Wildwood16.1-yr payback · Not worth it
- University City16.1-yr payback · Not worth it
- Ballwin16.3-yr payback · Not worth it
- Liberty15.9-yr payback · Close call
- Mehlville15.9-yr payback · Close call
- Raytown15.8-yr payback · Close call
- Kirkwood16.7-yr payback · Not worth it
- Maryland Heights16.7-yr payback · Not worth it
- Gladstone15.9-yr payback · Close call
- Grandview15.7-yr payback · Close call
- Hazelwood16-yr payback · Not worth it
- Belton15.7-yr payback · Close call
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. No state contractor or electrician license; licensing is local (municipal/county electrical licenses).
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. No statewide HOA solar protection law identified.
- Community solar. Utility programs only (e.g., Ameren Community Solar, Evergy Solar Subscription).
Questions about solar in Missouri
Is solar worth it in Missouri in 2026?
For a typical Missouri home, solar is a close call. A 7 kW system costing about $19,950 after state incentives saves about $1,361 in the first year and pays back in about 15.5 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in Missouri?
A reasonable cash price is around $2.85 per watt before incentives, or roughly $17,000 to $23,900 for a 7 kW system.
Does Missouri have net metering?
Missouri's net metering law nets usage and production within each monthly bill at full retail, but any net excess for the month is credited only at the utility's avoided fuel cost (a few cents/kWh), and unused credits expire after 12 months. Systems are capped at 100 kW.
Is there a solar tax credit in Missouri?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Missouri does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of.
How do I check a solar installer's license in Missouri?
No state contractor or electrician license; licensing is local (municipal/county electrical licenses).
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include revisor.mo.gov, energysage.com, dnr.mo.gov. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.