3 Best Solar Companies in Missouri (2024 Guide)
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Although Missouri only ranks No. 35 in the nation for solar installation, the state has set moderate goals to help solar growth. The state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RSP) required all investor-owned utilities to dedicate 15% of their annual sales to renewable energy by 2021 and beyond. With a state-mandated net-metering program and additional state and local solar incentives, switching to solar energy can save Missouri homeowners money.
To help you find Missouri’s best solar company options, our team dedicated 60 hours to researching the Show-Me State’s most popular providers. Below are our picks for Missouri solar companies, plus solar incentive information and advice on choosing the right company.
Compare Solar Companies Available In Missouri
Missouri’s Top Solar Energy Companies
- Best South Central Installer: Shine Solar
- Most Reputable: Blue Raven Solar
- Best Solar Consultation: LGCY Power
Our Picks for Best Solar Panel Installation in Missouri
Learn more: Blue Raven Solar review
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
Are There Available Solar Incentives in Missouri?
Missouri offers several federal and state solar incentives, rebates, and credits that offset solar installation costs, making your solar conversion economical. For example, all Missouri homeowners qualify for the federal solar tax credit, which provides up to 30% off installation costs. The state used to provide a property tax exemption for solar solutions, but in August 2022, the Missouri Supreme Court repealed the property value exemption, deeming it unconstitutional.
With the state’s net-metering program, homeowners earn electric bill credits for excess solar energy sent back to the power grid. All electric companies in Missouri must offer a net-metering program and pay residents at the retail electricity rate. This means your per-kilowatt credit aligns with what you would have paid for grid-generated electricity. Based on our research on other state net-metering programs, Missouri has one of the most favorable payouts.
With the Show Me PACE (or Property-Assessed Clean Energy) financing program, homeowners qualify for affordable solar loans using their home value as collateral. These programs are more affordable alternatives to cash payments and provide full system ownership benefits. After reviewing this program’s application process, we noted that it requires considerable paperwork and approval time. Your selected solar provider must also be participating in the program. If you qualify, you’ll benefit from fixed financing rates and low monthly payments added to your tax bill.
Missouri utility companies also provide additional solar rebates and credits to their customers. Columbia Water & Light offers special programs for solar customers, such as rebates and special financing programs. Evergy offers 25 cents cash back for each solar panel watt installed.
Ameren Missouri offers a similar program, with rebates up to 25 cents based on total watts installed.
We recommend checking the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for an up-to-date list of all solar rebates and local incentives.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
If you’re considering a solar energy system, consider the following factors as you compare potential installers.
Solar Services
An important factor in your solar installation is the team completing the project. Most solar panel companies use in-house or third-party installers to complete their work. The professional solar companies we spoke to said in-house installers are preferred. These teams work for the solar installers, leading to more streamlined communication and better installation quality. With third-party contractors, your experiences may vary depending on the installers. Your point of contact will also be with a different team, making communication between the installers and the solar company more difficult.
Besides installation, solar installers often include services such as system monitoring and apps that provide system performance metrics. These apps or dedicated websites allow customers to track their energy production and average usage and provide alerts for system or panel malfunctions. Other home services include energy audits, which help improve your home and solar panel system efficiency. In rare instances, the solar company uses an in-house team for its audit, eliminating the need for a separate contractor.
Warranties and Power Production Guarantees
Since most solar systems last 25 years or longer, you’ll want the right warranty coverage to protect your investment. Solar companies offer two main warranty types: manufacturer and workmanship coverage. With manufacturer (or product) warranties, you receive system coverage for any manufacturing defects or issues. Workmanship coverage protects your solar solution from faulty installation.
Ideally, both coverage plans should align with your panels’ estimated life span. However, some providers offer less coverage, around 10–15 years for each warranty type. You’ll find that higher-quality residential panels include 25-year or longer warranty options, while cheap solar panels have shorter coverage. We recommend investing in solar companies with 25-year warranty coverage.
In addition to basic warranty plans, some companies include power production guarantees for added peace of mind. Most solar panels lose 0.5% efficiency annually, reducing your solar power system production over time. Solar companies with a solid production warranty outline your expected panel degradation rate and guarantee their production levels for a set timeframe. Coverage length varies between providers but can last between two and 25 years. We recommend choosing coverage that aligns with your solar panel system’s life span.
Payment Options
Although the type of solar panel impacts the total cost, payment options can impact your final investment. Most solar installers offer at least two solar financing options: up-front cash payments and solar loans. These options offer the best return on investment (ROI) and qualify you for federal and state solar incentives. These incentives help lower solar panels cost, making the move to renewable energy more affordable.
Additional payment options, such as solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), disqualify you from added savings. With these payment options, your solar installer retains panel ownership. These options work best for homeowners uninterested in system ownership and incentives.
Customer Support
When comparing solar companies, research their customer support contact methods. Whether you need scheduling or troubleshooting assistance, you want a customer service team that offers excellent responsiveness, availability, and courtesy. Many companies have several contact options for these teams, such as email, phone, and online chat. Some solar installers include additional contact options in a dedicated app or web portal.
When researching solar companies, we found that customer reviews are an excellent source for gauging customer support teams. When reading reviews, check for mentions of delayed or unanswered emails, unreturned calls, or unhelpful representatives.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Missouri
You should request free quotes from multiple installers to compare products and pricing. After speaking to several solar installers, we created the below guide to help prepare you for a typical solar quote process.
- Contact the solar company: You’ll begin the process by contacting each company via phone, email, or online form. During our phone shopping experience, we were connected to an initial rep who verified service availability and solar qualification. These initial reps offer little information on plans and services, so save your important questions for the salesperson who you’ll talk to next. With online forms, you may be able to schedule an appointment online or will receive a callback from a salesperson with further instructions. During this step, you’ll schedule your in-person or virtual consultation.
- Assess your energy use: During your consultation, the rep will determine your average energy use. You’ll need your latest utility bill available for an accurate assessment. The rep may request multiple statements to help determine your annual usage and account for seasonal energy fluctuations.
- Review your roof design and space: The sales rep will check your home’s design, including roof space, pitch, and other installed elements. These factors help determine your solar panel size and position. They’ll also check for any nearby objects or obstructions that could cast shadows on your panels, reducing their efficiency. The rep will use satellite imagery to build your final project for virtual assessments. However, an in-person assessment is still completed before installation.
- Design your final solar project: After the assessment, the rep will create your final solar project. These plans include your solar panels, inverters, and other necessary components. You’ll also see costs for additional accessories, such as solar batteries or electric vehicle (EV) equipment. The solar installers we spoke to advised that each quote should include a detailed inventory of all equipment and costs, inducing labor. Review each project and note the included warranty coverage, financing options, and estimated solar panel payback period. Some companies also assist homeowners with applying for federal and state solar incentives.
Our Conclusion
Blue Raven Solar stands out as one of Missouri’s best solar panel installation companies. Its high-quality solar panels and years of experience offer homeowners excellent energy production and long-term savings. With the available solar incentives, Missouri residents can make going solar with Blue Raven a more affordable option.
As you search for solar companies, we recommend requesting free solar quotes from at least three companies.
Other Missouri Home Service Resources
FAQ About Solar Companies in MO
Is it worth going solar in Missouri?
Yes, going solar is worth it for Missouri homeowners due to the state’s net-metering programs and local solar incentives. Despite losing its solar property tax exemption law in 2022, residents can still benefit from a solar conversion with the available incentives and over 200 sunny days annually.
Does Missouri have any solar tax credits?
Yes, Missouri residents qualify for the federal tax credit, which offers a 30% credit on solar system costs. This credit applies to any system purchased starting in 2022. However, Missouri does not offer a state tax credit.
Is solar power free in Missouri?
No, there are no free solar panel options in Missouri. However, homeowners can use federal and state solar incentives to reduce initial solar panel costs and long-term investment costs. Residents can use federal, state, and local incentives, as well as city- and utility-based rebates.
Does Missouri have a solar access law?
Yes, Missouri does have a solar access law protecting homeowners’ rights to install solar panels. In July 2022, Governor Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 820 (SB 820), which prevents homeowners associations (HOAs) from stopping its residents from adding solar panels to their homes. These added protections ensure all Missouri homeowners have access to solar energy.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.