State solar guide
Missouri solar economics in 2026 depend entirely on your utility rate, available state incentives, and net-metering rules. The federal residential credit expired December 31, 2025. We present the honest picture for your location.
Sources: ElectricChoice June 2026 via Electric Choice electricity-prices-by-state | Research dossier south-central.md June 2026 | EnergySage May 2026 (typical 12.87 kW system at $31,840 pre-incentive, averaging $2.47/W) | Federal residential credit: Section 25D expired December 31, 2025, H.R.1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act).
Net metering
Missouri law requires investor-owned utilities to offer net metering for residential systems up to 100 kW. However, credit rates differ significantly by utility. Evergy (serving Kansas City and eastern Missouri) offers full 1-to-1 net metering at the full retail rate, the most consumer-friendly net metering policy in this 10-state group. Ameren Missouri (serving central and western Missouri, approximately two-thirds of the state's population) credits excess generation at below-retail rates of approximately 5.39 cents per kWh in summer and 3.92 cents per kWh in winter. Annual credits expire after 12 months. The utility territory a customer is in has a dramatic effect on the economics of residential solar in Missouri.
Evergy customers (Kansas City metro, eastern Missouri): full 1-to-1 retail net metering, best net metering in the region. Ameren Missouri customers (approximately two-thirds of the state): below-retail export credits of approximately 5.39 cents per kWh summer and 3.92 cents per kWh winter. Empire District Electric (southwestern Missouri) operates under its own tariff. City of Columbia Utilities (Columbia, MO) is a municipal utility offering a $500 per kW rebate for Columbia residents. Rural electric cooperatives are not required to participate in net metering and terms vary.
Program: NM1_full_retail. Last verified: June 1, 2026. DSIRE source (opens in new tab).
Verify with your utility
Net-metering rules change by utility and program cycle. Confirm current export credit rates and eligibility with your specific Missouri utility before contracting. Current program details at DSIRE (opens in new tab).
State incentive stack
The federal residential credit expired December 31, 2025. The programs below are what remains for Missouri homeowners. Amounts and availability change; every program is date-stamped and linked to its DSIRE source.
Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D): expired. The Section 25D residential investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The residential credit rate is 0%. State and local incentives below may still significantly reduce your net system cost. Commercial systems still qualify for Section 48E (30%).
| Program | Benefit | Eligibility | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evergy Full Retail Net Metering (Kansas City and eastern MO) net_metering | Full retail rate (12.17 cents per kWh) Evergy offers full 1-to-1 net metering at the full retail rate for residential customers in its Kansas City and eastern Missouri service territory. This is the most consumer-friendly net metering policy in the 10-state south-central region. Credits expire after 12 months. | Evergy residential customers in Kansas City metro and eastern Missouri | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Ameren Missouri Net Metering (below-retail) net_metering | Approximately 5.39 cents per kWh (summer) and 3.92 cents per kWh (winter) Ameren Missouri credits excess generation at below-retail rates of approximately 5.39 cents per kWh in summer and 3.92 cents per kWh in winter. Credits expire after 12 months. Ameren solar rebate program expired December 31, 2023. | Ameren Missouri residential customers (approximately two-thirds of the state) | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| City of Columbia Utilities Solar Rebate utility_rebate | $500 per kW City of Columbia Utilities offers a rebate for Columbia city residents installing solar. | City of Columbia Utilities residential customers (Columbia, MO) | Pending | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
Data last verified June 1, 2026. Incentive programs change; verify current amounts and availability at dsireusa.org (opens in new tab) before committing to a project.
Battery storage incentives in Missouri
Missouri has no statewide battery storage incentive or rebate program as of June 2026. No SGIP-equivalent or battery-specific state credit exists. Evergy and Ameren Missouri do not offer battery storage rebates for residential customers. Ameren Missouri's solar rebate program expired December 31, 2023 with no confirmed battery rebate successor.
Savings example
This example uses real Missouri market data. No federal residential credit is applied. Figures are illustrative; your in-home assessment uses your actual utility bills and the current rate schedule for your specific utility.
System size 12.9 kW at $2.47 per watt (EnergySage May 2026). Annual production estimated at 16,500 to 20,000 kWh based on Kansas City area peak sun hours of 4.7 to 5.2. Evergy full retail example: assumes 65% self-consumption at 12.17 cents per kWh plus 35% exported at full retail 12.17 cents per kWh. Ameren Missouri customers would see meaningfully longer payback due to 3.92 to 5.39 cent export rates. Federal residential credit: $0 (expired). Figures are illustrative; your in-home assessment will use your actual utility bills and rate schedule.
Missouri Evergy customer (Kansas City, illustrative)
Illustrative example. Federal residential credit: $0 (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). Your estimate will use your actual utility bills and current rate schedule.
Permitting
Missouri does not have a statewide residential solar permit fee cap. Permit requirements and fees vary by local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield typically have permit timelines of 2 to 4 weeks. Evergy interconnection review adds 4 to 8 weeks for Evergy territory customers. Ameren Missouri interconnection adds similar time. Contract to energization typically runs 10 to 16 weeks.
Missouri's split market between Evergy and Ameren territory means interconnection processes and payback projections must be utility-specific. Always identify the serving utility before beginning the permit and interconnection process. City of Columbia Utilities has its own process separate from Evergy and Ameren.
Commercial solar in Missouri
The commercial solar credit (Section 48E, 30 percent) remains available for qualifying commercial projects. Construction must begin by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the full placed-in-service window. Combined with MACRS accelerated depreciation and 100 percent first-year bonus depreciation, the combined first-year federal benefit can reach 45 to 55 percent of project cost for many Missouri business owners. Direct Pay is also available for nonprofits, municipalities, and other tax-exempt entities.
Commercial solar overviewCommercial solar projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the 30 percent Section 48E federal tax credit. After that date, the system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027.
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Frequently asked
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