Solar Panels Cost $16k-$26k in Laclede County, MO | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Laclede County, MO in 2024?
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In the month of November, 2024 in Laclede County, MO you will pay about $3.41 per watt to get solar panels.
According to this price, solar panel installations will cost you approximately $3,410 per 1000 watts (1 kW) of production capacounty. In Laclede County, the price of a 5 kW panel install is typically $11,935, after a 30% federal tax credit. However, it’s important to realize that a more extensive system could be essential to ensure your energy needs are met.
To the left, you can select your county to view the average roof size and average maximum capacity for residential solar on homes in your area. Displayed below is an outline of the price, 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.
Laclede County: $11,935US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Laclede 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.
Laclede County: $19,524US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Laclede County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Laclede County.
Roof size 778sq. ft.
Capacity 10.88kW DC
Electricity 13.5kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Laclede County, MO & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Laclede County's typical monthly kWh usage is 1,323, with the average electric bill around 152.39. Bear in mind that this statistic takes into account smaller residences including apartments, known for lower energy consumption.
As of November 2024, the average rate for electricity per kWh in Laclede County, MO is 11.52¢.
At first, an 11 kW solar panel installation is priced at $37,510, but after a 30% tax credit, the final price is $26,257.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Laclede County
To the left, we have displayed a thorough cost analysis for different solar panel system sizes installed in Laclede County. A larger solar array will expectedly cost more, but it will also offer greater electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.
The cost-benefit analysis for solar panels, shown in the calculator to the right and below, is based on an average electric bill of $152.39 in Laclede County. Simply change the $152.39 to your typical electricity bill for more precise results.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,236 a year
Est. Price
$16,709
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,297 kWh
Est. monthly savings $103
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.75 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 264 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 14,230 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,412 a year
Est. Price
$19,096
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,768 kWh
Est. monthly savings $118
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 6.57 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 302 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 16,263 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,589 a year
Est. Price
$21,483
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,239 kWh
Est. monthly savings $132
Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.39 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 339 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 18,296 mi less a year
System Size 10kW
Roof Size Min. space required
715 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,765 a year
Est. Price
$23,870
Savings from a 10kWthis system
Est. yearly production 14,710 kWh
Est. monthly savings $147
Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 8.21 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 377 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 20,329 mi less a year
System Size 11kW
Roof Size Min. space required
787 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,942 a year
Est. Price
$26,257
Savings from a 11kWthis system
Est. yearly production 16,181 kWh
Est. monthly savings $152
Full payback in 14 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
Laclede 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 or wind energy installation expenses. Think you fall into this category? Check your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
For those considering residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is accessible to most people, which makes solar power a wise investment in various parts of the country. Furthermore, several state and local initiatives are in place to further encourage the adoption of solar energy.
Different utilities and governmental organizations in Missouri offer 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 Laclede County, MO?
If you expect to own your residence longer than the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a smart investment in Laclede County. Over a 20 year period, a 5 kW solar system in Laclede County, MO could save you an estimated $24,638.6, with the average break even time being 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Laclede County, MO
Besides the savings mentioned earlier, failing to have solar panels or an alternative energy backup means you being wholly dependent on your electric utility for electricity. As recent news articles have shown, total reliance on your utility provider isn't always the best situation.
Customers in Laclede County experience roughly 1.59 outages per year. Each outage lasts an average of 177.45 minutes. In the case of major events such as winter storms, aging infrastructure, or vandalism, this period can increase substantially.
See the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Laclede County.
A solar panel system could reduce the inconvenience of future outages, even if it lacks a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Laclede County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Laclede County, MO?
Your Energy Needs - When opting for larger solar panel systems, the overall expense is greater; however, the cost per watt reduces with an increase in system size. Consumers often find that setting up a solar system to fully cover their electric bill is a beneficial decision, resulting in the most savings.
Make & Model - Just like many products, solar panels are offered in a variety of makes and models. Given the certain system preferences an contractor might have, selecting a reputable contractor is critical. For buyers seeking a superior long-term experience, opting for superior quality equipment is essential.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have earned their place as the standard in the industry, and for good reasons. Although they are more expensive, they generate increased energy. The majority of installers use panels made of this material.
Your Property - Each property and home presents unique challenges. Trees, irregular terrain, or other obstacles may complicate the installation process. These days, satellite images allow many solar installers to evaluate your home and incorporate these factors into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The varying wages that companies offer their employees result in costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers. Businesses frequently receive higher reviews for their work and customer service when they pay higher wages.
Permitting & Interconnection - Regional differences in permitting and utility interconnection fees will influence your installation cost. Reputable local installers will include these numbers into your preliminary quotes to prevent any surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Laclede County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Laclede County, MO Solar Panel Cost FAQs
In November, 2024, the typical price per watt for solar panels in Laclede County, MO is $3.41/W. The installation of a 5 kW solar panel system in Laclede County, MO will cost about $11,935 after federal tax credits.
Missouri offers 13 different rebates and incentives from a range of utilities and government organizations. On top of that, nearly everyone can qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
While cash payments provide the most savings, there are now many financing options for solar panels that are also advantageous. Initial quotes from installers will frequently contain information about available financing options.
Yes, the average 5 kW solar panel payback time in Laclede County, MO is 7 years, with expected savings of $24,638.6 on electricity over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
