Solar Panels Cost $11k-$21k in Cape Girardeau County, MO | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Cape Girardeau County, MO in 2024?
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The typical cost per watt for going solar in Cape Girardeau County, MO in November, 2024 is estimated at $3.42/W.
It will cost $3,420, on average, per 1K (or 1000 watts) of capacounty that your solar panels have. Typically, the expense for a 5 kW solar installation in Cape Girardeau County, after the 30% federal tax credit, is about $11,970. In accordance with your electricity usage, your home could need a larger system.
To the left, you can select your county to find out the average roof size and the maximum capacity of solar panels for houses in your area. You can review the costs, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county below.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Cape Girardeau County: $11,970US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Cape Girardeau 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.
Cape Girardeau County: $19,570US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Cape Girardeau County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Cape Girardeau County.
Roof size 751sq. ft.
Capacity 10.5kW DC
Electricity 12.8kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Cape Girardeau County, MO & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
For Cape Girardeau County energy consumers, the typical electric bill is 152.79 per month, with a usage of 1,082 kWh. These figures also include apartments and smaller dwellings with reduced energy needs.
As of November 2024, the average rate for electricity per kWh in Cape Girardeau County, MO is 14.12¢.
You will pay approximately $30,780for a 9 kW solar panel installation initially, but the federal tax credit gives you 30% back, lowering the cost to $21,546.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Cape Girardeau County
Below and on the left, you can see the cost breakdown for different sizes of solar panel systems set up in Cape Girardeau County. Naturally, with a more extensive solar system, you will have a higher upfront cost, but the rewards consist of higher electricity savings and larger income tax credits.
The solar panel cost calculator down and to the right breaks down costs and benefits, using an average $152.79 electric bill in Cape Girardeau County To get results more personalized, change the $152.79 to match your typical electricity bill.
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 $1,030 a year
Est. Price
$11,970
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,355 kWh
Est. monthly savings $86
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.75 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 218 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 11,763 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,236 a year
Est. Price
$14,364
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,826 kWh
Est. monthly savings $103
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.7 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 262 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 14,115 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,442 a year
Est. Price
$16,758
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,297 kWh
Est. monthly savings $120
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 6.65 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 306 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 16,468 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,648 a year
Est. Price
$19,152
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,768 kWh
Est. monthly savings $137
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.6 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 349 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 18,820 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,853 a year
Est. Price
$21,546
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,239 kWh
Est. monthly savings $153
Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 8.47 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 389 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 20,973 mi less a year
Cape Girardeau County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
The financial burden of installing photovoltaic or wind turbines for rural agricultural enterprises and small businesses could be eased with the REAP Grant, covering 80% to 100% of the costs. If you think you might be eligible, try our REAP Grant eligibility tool to check your qualification.
Almost all residents are eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, which makes it a viable option in various states in the country. State and local governments offer various programs to promote the switch to solar energy.
A total of 13 solar incentive and rebate programs are available in Missouri from various utilities and government organizations.
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 Cape Girardeau County, MO?
For homeowners in Cape Girardeau County planning to stay beyond the payback period of their solar system, solar panels are the best choice. A 5 kW solar system in Cape Girardeau County, MO could potentially save you $24,699.6 over the course of 20 years, with the break even point averaging at 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Cape Girardeau County, MO
Apart from the savings noted earlier, failing to install solar panels or an alternative energy backup leads to you being wholly dependent on your electric utility for power supply. Total dependence on your utility provider isn't always ideal, as recent examples in the news have demonstrated.
Lately, customers in Cape Girardeau County have typically encountered 1.05 utility outages per year. The average duration of each outage is 185.4 minutes. During severe events like tornadoes, aging infrastructure, or construction accidents, these times can grow significantly longer.
Take a look at the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Cape Girardeau County.
A solar panel system could lessen the inconvenience of future outages, even if it doesn't have a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Cape Girardeau County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Cape Girardeau County, MO?
Your Energy Needs - The price per watt reduces with larger solar panel systems, even though the upfront cost is higher. Setting up a solar system that produces sufficient electricity to offset their electric bill is advantageous to most homeowners, resulting in savings.
Make & Model - Like many other products, there are various makes and models of solar panels available. It's crucial to pick a highly rated contractor, considering the brand preferences that installers may have. Superior quality materials generally lead to a more favorable long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels are widely recognized as the industry standard, and deservedly so. Despite the higher price tag, these panels produce greater energy output. Many installation experts use panels constructed from this material.
Your Property - Each property and home presents unique challenges. Trees, sloped land, or other impediments may complicate the installation process. Nowadays, the most solar installers can assess your home with satellite images and incorporate these factors in the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The pay that various companies offer their employees differ, and these expenses are passed on to the consumers. Paying higher wages frequently results in businesses receiving better reviews for their work and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which differ by area, will affect your installation cost. That said, quality local installers will be able to incorporate these numbers into your initial quotes so there are no surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Cape Girardeau County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Cape Girardeau County, MO Solar Panel Cost FAQs
In November, 2024, the average cost of solar panels per watt in Cape Girardeau County, MO is $3.42/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Cape Girardeau County, MO will roughly cost $11,970.
Various utility providers and government organizations in Missouri are offering 13 rebates and incentives at this time. In addition, nearly all people are eligible for the 30%federal tax credit.
Even though paying cash offers the most savings, there are now numerous financing options for solar panels that also are cost-effective. Information about financing options is typically included in initial quotes provided by installers.
Yes, homeowners in Cape Girardeau County, MO can expect 5 kW solar panels to pay off in 7 years, with an estimated $24,699.6 in electricity savings during a 20-year span.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
