Read our guide to the best solar companies in Missouri, covering their costs, pros and cons, warranties and more.
With over 45 solar installers operating in Missouri, residents of the Show-Me state have a wide variety of options to choose from. Some of the best solar companies in Missouri are Sunpower, Green Home Systems, Palmetto and Blue Raven.
The Guides Home Team shortlisted the above companies based on detailed surveys and discussions with industry experts as well as manufacturing and installation companies. We also use an elaborate methodology to review each provider based on a multitude of parameters.
Compare Missouri Solar Companies
In Missouri, most solar power systems cost somewhere between $2.5/W and $3/W. This means most homeowners can get a 5 kW system around or below the $15,000-mark. Below is a chart showing the best solar installers in Missouri with their pricing and some other important information.
*Pricing is based on responses to two surveys we conducted in 2023 of 2,000 total homeowners with 8 kilowatt (kW) solar systems as well as pricing information obtained directly from SunPower, Tesla, Palmetto and local providers. Your cost may vary.
Top 3 Solar Companies in Missouri of 2023
- SunPower: Our pick for most experienced
- Palmetto: Our pick for protection plans
- Blue Raven: Our pick for financing
What To Look for in a Solar Company
Most homeowners have a limited understanding of how solar energy systems work and how they are installed. Naturally, it can also be confusing to choose the right installer, especially when the offerings of multiple solar companies seem similar. Below is a list of the factors that can help you choose the right installer for your system.
Even though the cost of a solar power system is offset by the electricity bill savings it offers, it is still a significant one-time cost. This makes the pricing of a solar installer one of the most important selection criteria. The lowest-priced system may not be the best, and homeowners should look for a balance between a system’s quality and cost. Buyers unable to spend thousands of dollars upfront can also look for installers offering financing options or different payment models such as leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
A solar panel system is expected to last 25 or more years. The most reliable installers offer consistent support throughout the lifetime of the system. Buyers can check whether a solar company is trustworthy by checking their BBB score as well as reading customer reviews.
Some homes need multiple energy efficiency measures besides solar panels. For instance, many buyers choose to have a solar battery with their panels, or even a roof repair before installation. Homeowners should consider any additional services they need before finalizing an installer.
Our Recommendation
Missouri may not be a leader in solar energy capacity, but it certainly has some of the best solar companies serving its residents. Solar customers in Missouri can choose from a variety of installers. Those looking for experience and reputation can go with SunPower, while those seeking more financing options can choose Blue Raven.
Ultimately, we recommend reaching out to multiple solar installation companies and getting free quotes from all of them. This will help you compare several companies and their pricing, warranties and any additional services they offer.
Benefits of Going Solar in Missouri
Residents of Missouri buying a solar power system will enjoy numerous benefits, and many people feel that going solar is worth it.
- Electricity bill savings: Homeowners installing solar will supplement or replace their grid power consumption with clean energy from the solar power system with the right number of solar panels. Once the system pays itself off, it keeps generating free energy for another decade or two. Overall, Missourians can save thousands of dollars in utility bills by going solar.
- Security against rising bill prices: Each year utility companies hike power prices, citing reasons such as infrastructure upgrades and rising fuel costs. Over 25 to 30 years, the total rise in electricity bills is substantial. Solar power, on the other hand, is a technically free and renewable energy source. Homeowners can therefore protect themselves from rising utility prices by going solar.
- Increased home value: Several studies have shown that installing a solar power system increases the value of the property. Homeowners having solar panels on their roof can expect to sell their house at a higher price than a similar home without solar.
- Resilience against power outages: Missouri residents are no strangers to storms, tornadoes and the power outages caused by them. Homeowners who install a solar battery with their system may be able to keep their appliances running even through multiple days of blackouts.
- Environmental benefits: Solar power does not use any carbon-emitting fuels to operate, which is why it is referred to as clean energy. A typical home solar system can offset thousands of tons of carbon emissions over its lifespan.
Missouri Solar Incentives
Missouri does not have a large number of state-mandated solar incentives and rebates. However, thanks to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), several utility companies offer rebates on solar installations. Additionally, Missourians can also benefit from the federal tax credit and net metering to offset the cost of their solar system.
Federal Incentives
Also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), the federal solar tax credit allows homeowners to deduct 30% of their system’s cost from their income tax returns. Effectively, this brings down the system cost by 30%. The ITC is the biggest solar incentive in Missouri and other states and is available until 2032.
State-Wide Incentives
Incentive | Savings | Explanation |
Sales tax exemption | Varies | Customers of solar power systems will be exempt from the state’s 4.225% sales tax. |
Property tax exemption | Varies | Missouri residents will not have to pay any additional property tax resulting from the added value to the property by solar power. |
Net metering | N/A | Utilities in Missouri allow solar panel owners to send excess energy into the grid, which is credited as per the avoided cost rate of the utilities. |
PACE Financing | N/A | Missouri businesses can borrow a solar loan through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, which they can repay through an addition in their property tax amounts. |
Local Incentives
Incentive | Savings | Explanation |
Columbia Water and Light Solar rebate | Varies | Customers of Columbia Water and Light who install solar panels can get up to $625 per kW of installed capacity (up to 10 kW). |
Evergy (Kansas City Power and Light) solar rebate | Varies | Customers of Evergy, formerly Kansas City Power and Light, can get a rebate of $0.25 per watt of installed solar capacity. |
Ameren Missouri’s Solar PV Rebate Program | Varies | Ameren’s customers, such as residents of St. Louis who install solar panels are eligible for $0.25/W rebate on their systems. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Companies in Missouri
Thanks to significant savings over multiple decades, getting solar panels is usually worth it in Missouri. Additionally, the federal tax credit and a variety of local incentives makes solar power even more lucrative.
The cost of a solar power system in Missouri lies between $2.5 and $3 per watt of installed capacity. This means a typical 5 kW solar panel system in Missouri will usually cost around or below $15,000.
Missouri has several solar panel installation companies operating in the state. However, some of the best solar installers include SunPower, Green Home Systems, Palmetto and Blue Raven.
Solar panels offer a number of benefits including lowered energy costs, energy independence and increased home value as well as lowered carbon emissions.