Solar Panels Cost $12k-$22k in Benton County, MO | February, 2025
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How much do solar panels cost in Benton County, MO in 2025?
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In Benton County, MO in February, 2025 you will spend about $3.55/W to get a solar system.
Utilizing this price per watt, you can conclude that for every 1000 watts (1 kW) of solar power capacounty will require an investment of $3,550 for installation. When you deduct the 30% federal tax credit, the cost of a 5 kW solar installation in Benton County typically comes out to around $12,425. Please note that a more powerful system may be necessary to satisfy your energy demands.
To the left,select your area to see the typical roof size and the average maximum capacity of solar panels for homes in your county. Below is a summary of the costs, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Benton County: $12,425US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Benton County: 7 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Benton County: $16,971US Average: $16,301
Solar Potential in Benton County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Benton County.
Roof size 778sq. ft.
Capacity 10.88kW DC
Electricity 13.5kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Benton County, MO & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The monthly kWh usage for a Benton County energy consumer is 1,094, with an average electric bill of 144.67. These figures also encompasse apartments and other smaller homes with lower energy needs.
In February 2025, Benton County, MO's mean electricity rate is 13.22¢ per kWh.
Before any incentives, a 9 kW solar installation costs around $31,950, with a 30% tax credit, this drops to $22,365.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Benton County
Displayed on the left side, you'll see a detailed pricing structure of the various sizes of solar panel systems installed in Benton County. The initial cost for bigger solar systems is higher, but they also offer higher electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
Check the solar panel cost calculator to the right and below to see the cost and benefit details calculated from an average $144.67 electric bill in Benton County. Personalized results can be achieved by changing the $144.67 to your typical bill amount.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $956 a year
Est. Price
$12,425
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,355 kWh
Est. monthly savings $80
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.18 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 8 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 449 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,147 a year
Est. Price
$14,910
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,826 kWh
Est. monthly savings $96
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.22 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 10 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 539 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,339 a year
Est. Price
$17,395
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,297 kWh
Est. monthly savings $112
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.25 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 12 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 629 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,530 a year
Est. Price
$19,880
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,768 kWh
Est. monthly savings $127
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.29 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 13 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 719 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,721 a year
Est. Price
$22,365
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,239 kWh
Est. monthly savings $143
Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 0.33 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 15 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 809 mi less a year
Benton County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2025
Rural farmers and small business owners could have between 80% and 100% of their photovoltaic or wind turbine installation expenses covered by the REAP Grant. If you believe you might qualify, we suggest utilizing our REAP Grant eligibility tool to verify.
The federal government offers a 30% tax credit for residential solar systems, which makes solar appealing and feasible for a variety of homeowners. A variety of state and local incentives are available to support the use of solar energy.
Different utilities and government entities in Missouri provide 13 solar rebate and incentive initiatives.
Solar incentives in MOIncentive Description Value
Columbia Water & Light - Solar Rebates
Value:Up to $800
Home and business customers of Columbia Water and Light may be entitled to rebates if they install a new solar PV system or water heater. The rebate amount is a fixed $400 for new water heaters, a fixed $800 for a solar water heater replacing a natural gas system, and a variable amount per kilowatt for photovoltaic systems. To qualify, customers must keep the system in operation for at least five years and participate in net metering and interconnection arrangements. Applications must be submitted before the system is installed. Additional information is available from the CWL website.
Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Value:Varies
Missouri most recently updated its statewide green building law in 2015. Any new state facility must meet standards set by the latest copy of the International Energy Conservation Code (currently 2015). Existing buildings must reduce energy consumption by 2% per year for a total 20% reduction in 2025. New remodeling projects affecting at least half of the building's area or costing half of its assessed value should be subject to pre-planning impact studies. Designers should consider on-site renewable energy and water reclamation to provide a 25-year cost/benefit analysis. Additional information is available from the Missouri DNR website.
City of Columbia - Renewable Portfolio Standard
Value:Varies
The city of Columbia, Missouri has a local renewable portfolio standard (RPS) program supplementing the mandatory state standard. Columbia Water and Light, as the city's public utility, is currently bound by ordinance to source at least 25% of its retail energy from renewable sources by 2022. Compliance is measured through regular proposals and reports addressed to the City Council. When possible, CWL must not increase the price of consumer energy by over 3% to fund new renewable energy investments. Additional information is available from the Columbia municipal website.
Empire District Electric - Solar PV Rebates
Value:Varies
Show Me PACE is a multi-jurisdiction property-assessed clean energy financing program in Missouri. Any county or city government may become a program signatory. The program serves business and multi-family residential property, farms, nonprofits, and public-sector facilities making energy or water efficiency improvements. A minimum principal of $50,000 is available at low market-rate interest. Repayment periods may vary, but cannot be longer than the useful life of the equipment that the loan funds. The Missouri Energy Initiative oversees the Show Me PACE lending market. Additional information is available from the program website.
Energy Loan Program
Value:Varies
Public/private school districts, local governments, and hospitals may be eligible for special financing on energy efficiency improvements through the Missouri Energy Loan Program (MELP). The revolving loan fund is managed by the state's Department of Economic Development. Available principal ranges from $10,000 to $1 million. Funding can be repaid over 10 years at 2.75% APR and with a 1% administrative fee. Monthly payments are typically based on estimated cost savings. Additional information is available from the DED Energy Division website.
Renewable Energy Standard
Value:Varies
Missouri's mandatory renewable portfolio standard was created in 2008 by the Proposition C ballot referendum. The standard sets minimum quotas for renewable energy investment. Current objectives (as of 2021) require the state's power industry to source 15% of retail energy from renewable sources by the end of the year. Any solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen fuel cell, or select solid waste reclamation system may qualify. However, "carve-out" measures require a specific portion of the annual quota be fulfilled using solar energy. Compliance is measured through both renewable energy credit (REC) and solar carve-out credit (SREC) systems. Each credit pegs a fixed amount of electricity to a variable dollar value. Credits are subject to market forces as utilities buy them through net metering and retire them after three years. Annual reports on standard objectives and progress are available through the Missouri Public Service Commission website.
Columbia Water & Light - Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Loan
Value:Varies
Home customers of Columbia Water and Light may be eligible for special financing on ENERGY STAR certified building materials and equipment. Available offers will vary from time to time. Currently, loans are available for central and room HVAC, insulation/weatherization, solar water heaters/thermal systems, and some appliances. CWL works with loan partners to provide financing. Current repayment options can last up to ten years at variable interest rates. Applicants will be subject to standard credit checks, pre-installation audits, and final system inspections by CWL representatives. Additional information is available from the CWL website.
Net Metering
Value:Varies
Missouri requires any private/municipal utility, electric retailer, or utility cooperative to offer net metering contracts to renewable energy customers. Any solar PV/heating, wind, hydroelectric, or hydrogen fuel cell system qualifies to receive tariff compensation. Once a customer and their utility agree to a contract, the utility will install a bidirectional meter on the customer's system at no cost. This meter measures net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. The customer's electric bill will be credited at a fixed avoided-cost rate for NEG generated during each billing cycle. Should generation exceed consumption for any given month, credits may carry forward to subsequent cycles. Additional information is available from the Missouri Department of Economic Development website.
Missouri Clean Energy District
Value:Varies
The Missouri Clean Energy District is a statewide property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing program. Counties and cities may join MCED at any time, allowing local businesses, farms, nonprofits, and public-sector building owners to receive specialized loans for energy efficiency improvements. (Due to regulatory concerns from the FHFA, residential buildings are ineligible for PACE loans at this time.) PACE funding effectively comes from the government, but it is administered by the MCED and a number of banking partners. Loans are at low interest and can be repaid over up to 20 years. Repayments take the form of a tax lien senior to the property's mortgage; should the owner sell or transfer their property, the new owner will be responsible for continuing repayments. Additional information is available from the MCED website and member localities.
Interconnection Guidelines
Value:Varies
Any private/public electrical utility or cooperative in Missouri must offer their renewable energy customers interconnection and net metering contract options. Unlike other states, renewable energy systems are not divided into regulatory tiers based on size and capability; however, systems over 100 kW in capacity are ineligible for net metering. All systems must meet standards set by IEEE/UL and have manual disconnect switches/other safety features installed. Additional information is available from individual utilities.
Columbia Water & Light - Commercial Energy Efficiency Loans
Value:Varies
Business customers of Columbia Water and Light may be eligible for special financing on energy efficient equipment and improvement projects. Available offers will vary from time to time. currently, "Super Saver" loans are available for HVAC systems, solar and geothermal water heaters and heat pumps, and energy efficient lighting. CWL works with banking partners to provide financing; as such, loan terms may vary. Loans through the program are senior to other debt on the property; should the owner sell the property or refinance another loan, they must pay off the Super Saver loan. The application process involves pre-installation audits and final system inspections using ASHRAE Level 2 standards. Additional information is available through the CWL website.
Show Me PACE
Value:Varies
Show Me PACE is a multi-jurisdiction property-assessed clean energy financing program in Missouri. Any county or city government may become a program signatory. The program serves business and multi-family residential property, farms, nonprofits, and public-sector facilities making energy or water efficiency improvements. A minimum principal of $50,000 is available at low market-rate interest. Repayment periods may vary, but cannot be longer than the useful life of the equipment that the loan funds. The Missouri Energy Initiative oversees the Show Me PACE lending market. Additional information is available from the program website.
Set the PACE St. Louis
Value:Varies
"Set the PACE" is a local property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing program. Businesses, nonprofits, and public-sector property owners in the city/county of St. Louis may be eligible for special financing through the program to fund energy efficiency improvements. Residential property may qualify so long as it is not mortgaged. PACE funding effectively comes from public funds, but loans will be supplemented by PNC and serviced by local governments. The maximum available principal for a single loan is $25,000 or 35% of the property's assessed value, whichever is lower. Loans are low-interest and can be repaid over up to 20 years. Repayment takes the form of a tax lien senior to the property's mortgage; should the owner sell or transfer their property, the new owner will be responsible for continuing repayments. Additional information is available from the Set the PACE St. Louis website.
Are solar panels worth it in Benton County, MO?
For homeowners in Benton County intending to stay beyond the payback period of their solar system, solar panels are the best choice. With a 5 kW solar system in Benton County, MO, the average savings over a 20 period is $22,295.8, with break even generally occurring at 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Benton County, MO
Without solar panels or another backup power source, you miss out on the savings highlighted previously and are entirely on your electric utility for electricity. Full reliance on your utility provider is not always ideal, as recent examples in the news have highlighted.
On average, customers in Benton County have encountered 1.04 utility outages per year in recent times. Usually, outages have an average duration of 134.92 minutes. However, during critical events like wildlife damage, aging infrastructure or lightning strikes, these times can extend dramatically.
Take a look at the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Benton County.
Whether or not it includes a backup battery, a solar panel system could mitigate the effects of future power interruptions you might experience.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Benton County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Benton County, MO?
Your Energy Needs - Investing in larger solar panel systems costs more upfront, but the price per watt is lowered as the system size increases. It is often beneficial for individuals to set up a solar system that can make enough electricity to fully cover their electric bill, which results in substantial savings.
Make & Model - Similar to other products, solar panels and mounting equipment are offered in a wide variety of makes and models. The installer’s preference for system makes it essential to choose a reputable installer. Investing in superior quality makes and models can result in a much better long-term experience for the buyer.
Solar Panel Type - For valid reasons, monocrystalline panels have emerged as the standard in the industry. Although the cost is more, they yield more energy. The majority of installers use these types of panels.
Your Property - Each property and residence is unique. Issues like trees, uneven landscapes, or other impediments may add to the complexity of the installation. Using satellite images, solar installers these days can assess your home and factor in these considerations into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Differences in employee wages across companies lead to expenses that are borne by the consumers. Companies that invest in higher wages usually see higher reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Your installation cost will be affected by area-specific permitting and utility interconnection fees. Good local installers will incorporate these figures into your first estimates to avoid any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Benton County cities
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Who are the best solar installers in Benton County?
The typical cost per watt for solar panels in Benton County, MO as of February, 2025 is $3.55/W. For a 5 kW solar panel system, the total cost in Benton County, MO after federal tax credits is around $12,425.
If you live in Missouri, you can find 13 rebates and incentives through different utilities and government agencies. Moreover, the 30% federal tax credit is accessible to nearly everyone.
Cash payments yield the highest savings, yet several financing options now available for solar panels are financially beneficial as well. Financing options are frequently available through installers and will be detailed in your initial quotes.
Yes, homeowners in Benton County, MO can expect 5 kW solar panels to pay off in 7 years, with an estimated $22,295.8 in electricity savings during a 20-year span.