Solar Panels Cost $15k-$26k in Lafayette County, MO | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Lafayette County, MO in 2024?
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In Lafayette County, MO, the cost per watt of solar systems averages $3.75 per watt in November, 2024.
It will cost you $3,750, on average, per 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar system is able to generate. After receiving the 30% federal tax credit, a 5 kW panel install in Lafayette County will cost approximately $13,125. It's important to note that a more powerful system could be needed to cover your energy consumption.
To the left, you have the option to select your county and see the typical roof size along with the average maximum capacity for residential solar in homes in your area. See below a full outline of the {price|costs, 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.
Lafayette County: $13,125US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Lafayette 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.
Lafayette County: $18,613US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Lafayette County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Lafayette County.
Roof size 778sq. ft.
Capacity 10.88kW DC
Electricity 13.5kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Lafayette County, MO & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
The average electricity bill for a Lafayette County resident is 155.68, with a monthly consumption of 1,155 kWh. Petite homes, such as bungalows and apartments, are also encompassed by the figures mentioned in the former sentence.
For November 2024, the mean electricity rate in Lafayette County, MO is 13.48¢ per kWh.
Currently, a 10 kW solar setup will cost you roughly $37,500at first, but thanks to the federal tax credit, you receive 30% back, bringing the cost down to $26,250.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Lafayette County
Shown on the left, you will find a price breakdown for multiple solar panel system sizes set up in Lafayette County. Naturally, with a more extensive solar system, there will be a greater initial expense, but the advantages include more electricity savings and larger income tax credits.
In the calculator provided to the right and below, you will find a breakdown of solar panel costs and benefits, calculated with an average $155.68 electric bill for Lafayette County. To get results more personalized, adjust the $155.68 to align with your typical electricity bill.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,147 a year
Est. Price
$15,750
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,826 kWh
Est. monthly savings $96
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.21 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 239 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 12,903 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,339 a year
Est. Price
$18,375
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 6.08 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 279 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 15,053 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,530 a year
Est. Price
$21,000
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 6.95 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 319 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 17,204 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,721 a year
Est. Price
$23,625
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 7.82 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 359 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 19,354 mi less a year
System Size 10kW
Roof Size Min. space required
715 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,912 a year
Est. Price
$26,250
Savings from a 10kWthis system
Est. yearly production 14,710 kWh
Est. monthly savings $156
Full payback in 14 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 8.5 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 391 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 21,052 mi less a year
Lafayette County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
For rural small businesses and farms, the REAP Grant could provide funding that covers between 80% and 100% of the necessary expenses for installing renewable energy systems. Curious if you fall into this category? Check your eligibility with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Most residents can qualify for a 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, making it a feasible option in numerous areas of the United States. A variety of regional and state programs exist to encourage solar energy adoption.
In Missouri, different utilities and government organizations 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 Lafayette County, MO?
If you're planning to stay in your home past the period required to pay back your solar investment, installing solar panels is a smart decision in Lafayette County. Installing a 5 kW solar system in Lafayette County, MO will, on average, save you $24,238.2 over 20 years, and you can expect to break even in about 7 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Lafayette County, MO
Beyond missing out on the savings noted above, the absence of solar panels or another backup energy solution leads to total dependency on your electric utility for power. As illustrated by recent news, total dependence on your utility is not always the best option.
Over the last few years, the utilities in Lafayette County have had about 0.98 outages per customer each year. The typical duration of each outage is 103.62 minutes. When significant events such as lightning strikes, grid management errors, or planned maintenance occur, these time frames can become much longer.
View the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Lafayette County.
Whether a backup battery is included or not, a solar panel system could ease the pressure of possible future outages.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Lafayette County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Lafayette County, MO?
Your Energy Needs - With larger solar panel systems, the cost per watt decreases, despite the higher upfront expense. Many people find it useful to install a solar energy system that can replace their entire electric bill. This results in greater savings.
Make & Model - There are a variety of makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment. The contractor’s preference for system makes it important to choose a reputable contractor. Higher grade models usually provide an enhanced long-term experience for the buyer.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have taken over as the standard in the industry, and it's not hard to see why. These panels cost more but offer a higher energy efficiency. The majority of installers in the industry work with panels constructed of this material.
Your Property - Every property and home is distinct. Trees, rough terrain, or other challenges can make the installation more difficult. Nowadays, the majority of solar installers can leverage satellite imagery to assess your home and include these aspects into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The pay that various companies offer their employees differ, and these costs are borne by the consumers. Companies paying more to their employees frequently get higher 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, experienced 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 Lafayette County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Lafayette County, MO Solar Panel Cost FAQs
In Lafayette County, MO, the mean cost per watt for solar panels as recorded in November, 2024 is $3.75/W. Installing a 5 kW solar panel system in Lafayette County, MO will cost approximately $13,125 after applying the federal tax credit.
Residents of Missouri can currently take advantage of 13 rebates and incentives offered by various utilities and government bodies. Additionally, the vast majority qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Paying cash provides the highest savings, but there are now several financing options for solar panels that are also cost-effective. Many installers work with financing partners and will provide this information in your initial quotes.
Yes, on average, the return on investment for 5 kW solar panel systems in Lafayette County, MO is achieved in 7 years, with electricity savings amounting to $24,238.2 over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
