Solar Panels Cost $0k-$0k in Howard County, MO | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Howard County, MO in 2024?
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Currently, in Howard County, MO in the month of November, 2024, the price per each watt for solar systems is $0/W.
Stemming from the price per watt, you can conclude that for every 1 kW (1000 watts) of solar generation capacounty will require an investment of $0 for installation. After applying the 30% federal tax credit, a 5 kW system in Howard County generally costs $0. A 5kW system may not be sufficient to satisfy your energy requirements.
Use the left-hand menu to select your area and view the typical roof size and the maximum capacity for residential solar on homes in your county. 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.
Howard County: $0US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Howard County: 0 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Howard County: $40,855US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Howard County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Howard County.
Roof size 778sq. ft.
Capacity 10.88kW DC
Electricity 13.5kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Howard County, MO & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Howard County energy consumers usually use 1,050 kWh monthly, with an average monthly bill of 170.23. It is important to note that this figure also includes data from smaller residential units, including apartments.
For November 2024, Howard County, MO's mean electricity rate is 16.22¢ per kWh.
The expense for a a 9 kW setup is approximately $0 before any incentives, but the federal tax credit offers a 30% credit, bringing the price down to $0.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Howard County
On the left side below, the pricing details for multiple sizes of solar panel systems installed in Howard County can be seen. With more extensive solar systems, the price increases, but so do the electricity savings and the income tax credits you can get.
The solar panel cost calculator to the right and below breaks down costs and benefits, considering an average $170.23 electric bill in Howard County Modify the $170.23 to match your usual electricity bill payment for more tailored 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 $1,177 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,355 kWh
Est. monthly savings $98
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.9 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 225 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 12,118 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,412 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,826 kWh
Est. monthly savings $118
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.87 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 270 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 14,541 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,648 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,297 kWh
Est. monthly savings $137
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 6.85 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 315 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 16,965 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,883 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,768 kWh
Est. monthly savings $157
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.83 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 360 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 19,388 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,118 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,239 kWh
Est. monthly savings $170
Full payback in 0 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
Howard County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Rural small business and farm owners might benefit from the REAP Grant, which could cover 80% to 100% of their solar energy or wind energy installation expenses. To see if you qualify, use our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Homeowners can qualify for a 30% federal income tax credit for installing residential solar panels, making solar power a sensible option throughout much of the country. Alongside federal efforts, state and local programs help to support the use of solar power.
A total of 13 solar rebates and incentives are available in Missouri through various utility companies 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 Howard County, MO?
Homeowners in Howard County who intend to live in their residence beyond the payback period of their solar system will find solar panels an obvious choice. A 5 kW solar system in Howard County, MO might save you an average of $40,855.2 over 20 years, with the break even point typically being 0 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Howard County, MO
Besides missing out on the aforementioned savings, not installing solar panels or any backup energy system leaves you totally reliant on your electric utility for power. Recent news has demonstrated that complete dependence on your utility company is not always ideal.
Recently, the average number of utility outages per customer annually in Howard County has been about 1. The average length of an outage is 120.8 minutes. In events like construction accidents, overloaded power grids or earthquakes, this duration can extend significantly.
Take a look at the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Howard County.
A solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could help mitigate the effects of future outages you might face.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Howard County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Howard County, MO?
Your Energy Needs - Though the initial cost of larger solar panel systems is greater, the price per watt diminishes as the system gets larger. A majority of homeowners find it advantageous to set up a solar system that can generate enough electricity to replace the entirety of their electric bill. This approach makes the most sense for maximum savings.
Make & Model - Solar panels and mounting equipment are offered in a range of makes and models. The preferences for brand that your installer has may make it vital to pick a recommended installer. Buyers frequently find that utilizing higher quality equipment results in a more favorable long-term experience.
Solar Panel Type - The standard in the industry is now monocrystalline panels, and for good reason. Despite the higher price tag, these panels produce greater energy output. Most installation experts use panels crafted from this material.
Your Property - Each property and home has its own characteristics. Factors such as trees, sloping terrain, or additional hurdles can make the installation more challenging. By using satellite images, many solar installers nowadays can assess your home and include these factors into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Different companies have varying pay scales for their employees, and these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Higher reviews for services and customer service are often associated with companies that pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which change by area, will impact your installation cost. Reputable local installers will include these figures in your initial estimates to provide transparency.
See what solar panels cost in other Howard County cities
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Who are the best solar installers in Howard County?
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Howard County, MO Solar Panel Cost FAQs
The average solar panel cost in Howard County, MO as of November, 2024 is estimated at $0/W. After federal tax credits, the installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Howard County, MO is estimated to cost $0.
Utilities and government agencies in Missouri are currently offering 13 different rebates and incentives. Moreover, nearly everyone is eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.
Even though cash payments provide the greatest savings, many financing options for solar panels today are also cost-effective. Your initial quotes will often contain information about financing options provided by installers.
Yes, on average, the return on investment for 5 kW solar panel systems in Howard County, MO is achieved in 0 years, with electricity savings amounting to $40,855.2 over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
