Solar Panels Cost $12k-$22k in Cooper County, MO | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Cooper County, MO in 2024?
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You'll spend around $3.54/W in November, 2024 in Cooper County, MO to get a solar system.
So, solar panels will cost you approximately, on average, $3,540 per 1000 watts (1 kW) of generation capacounty. In Cooper County, the price of a 5 kW solar system is typically $12,390, after the 30% federal tax credit. Please keep in mind that a higher capacity system might be necessary to adequately cover your energy needs.
On the left, select your area to find the typical roof size and the maximum production capacity for solar panels on homes in your county. Displayed below is an overview of the price, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Cooper County: $12,390US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Cooper 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.
Cooper County: $19,306US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Cooper County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Cooper County.
Roof size 778sq. ft.
Capacity 10.88kW DC
Electricity 13.5kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Cooper County, MO & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
For energy consumers in Cooper County, the typical electric bill amounts to 154.19 per month, with an average usage of 1,081 kWh. {These figures include apartments and other smaller homes, which typically have reduced energy consumption.
For November 2024, the mean electricity rate in Cooper County, MO is 14.26¢ per kWh.
Upfront, a 9 kW solar panel system will cost around $31,860, after a 30% federal tax credit, the final cost is $22,302.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Cooper County
Presented below and to the left, is a detailed cost analysis for multiple solar panel system sizes installed in Cooper County. Even though a bigger solar installation carries a greater cost, it also provides increased electricity savings and larger income tax credits.
The solar panel calculator, positioned to the right and below, provides a detailed cost and benefit analysis based on a typical $154.19 electric bill for Cooper County. Easily replace the $154.19 with your typical electricity bill amount to see more accurate results.
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
$12,390
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 4.73 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 217 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 11,705 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,236 a year
Est. Price
$14,868
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 5.67 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 261 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 14,046 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,442 a year
Est. Price
$17,346
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 6.62 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 304 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 16,387 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,648 a year
Est. Price
$19,824
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,768 kWh
Est. monthly savings $137
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.57 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 347 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 18,727 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,853 a year
Est. Price
$22,302
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,239 kWh
Est. monthly savings $154
Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 8.49 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 390 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 21,006 mi less a year
Cooper County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Between 80% and 100% of your solar energy or wind turbine installation costs may be covered by the REAP Grant if you own a rural small business or farm. Wondering if you fit this category? Check your eligibility with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
When it comes to residential solar, the majority of people qualify for the 30% federal income tax credit, making solar a practical option across most regions of the nation. A range of state and local incentives are in place to promote the use of solar energy.
There are 13 solar rebate and incentive programs currently available in Missouri by various utilities and government agencies.
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 Cooper County, MO?
For those intending to stay in their home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a good investment in Cooper County. In Cooper County, MO, the installation of a 5 kW solar system can save you an average of $24,615.6 over 20 years, with an average break even point of 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Cooper County, MO
Opting not to install solar panels or a separate backup energy solution results in you missing out on the savings mentioned earlier and leaves you fully reliant on your electric utility for electricity. Recent news has demonstrated that complete dependence on your utility company is not always ideal.
There are about 0.95 outages per customer annually in Cooper County. Each outage, on average, lasts for 117.37 minutes. In the case of major events like equipment failure, high winds or construction accidents, this period can rise substantially.
See the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Cooper County.
A solar energy system could help mitigate the effects of future outages, whether or not it has a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Cooper County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Cooper County, MO?
Your Energy Needs - The cost per watt is lower with larger solar panel systems, even though the initial cost is higher. Consumers often realize that setting up a solar system to replace their electric bill is a beneficial decision, resulting in the most savings.
Make & Model - There are a variety of makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment. The potential system preferences of your chosen contractor make it crucial to choose a reputable company. Buyers who choose high-quality materials generally enjoy a better long-term experience.
Solar Panel Type - The industry standard is now monocrystalline panels, and rightly so. They are pricier but generate more energy. Many professionals in solar installation use panels crafted from this material.
Your Property - Uneven ground, trees, or other obstructions can make the installation process more challenging. Nowadays, the many solar installers can evaluate your home with satellite images and incorporate these factors in the first cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The different wages that companies give their employees lead to costs that are ultimately borne by consumers. Reviews for work and customer service are often higher for companies that pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - Regional differences in permitting and utility interconnection fees will influence your installation cost. Good installers will factor these costs into your initial quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.
See what solar panels cost in other Cooper County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Cooper County, MO Solar Panel Cost FAQs
The average solar panel cost in Cooper County, MO as of November, 2024 is estimated at $3.54/W. After the federal tax credit, the estimated cost for a 5 kW solar panel system in Cooper County, MO is roughly $12,390.
Right now, Missouri has 13 rebates and incentives available through a variety of utility companies and government entities. In addition, nearly all people are eligible for the 30%federal tax credit.
Choosing to pay cash provides the most savings, but today there are many financing options for solar panels that are also cost-effective. Initial quotes from installers will frequently include information about available financing options.
Yes, homeowners in Cooper County, MO can expect 5 kW solar panels to pay off in 7 years, with an estimated $24,615.6 in electricity savings during a 20-year span.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
