Best Solar Companies in St. Louis, Missouri

We’ve talked to dozens of Missourians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what St. Louis residents should look for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

Solar panel costs in St. Louis

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $10,150 to $29,000 in Missouri. Prices in St. Louis are comparable, ranging from $9,765 to $27,900.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into St. Louis’s net metering program.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average St. Louis household needs a system with a capacity of 10.98 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in St. Louis

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright. Missouri also has PACE financing, which lets you pay your solar loan back through your property tax bill.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

» SOLAR PANELS: Buy vs. lease

Is solar worth it in St. Louis?

Solar panels are generally worth it in Missouri if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, St. Louis homeowners with solar panels can avoid $55,374 in total utility costs over 25 years.

But it doesn't work out for everybody. “Right now, the solar is not saving me any money.” Madelyn in St. Louis told us. “I’m paying two bills – the electric bill and the solar bill. The solar bill is not that large right now. But I’m still paying the electric bill so I really don't see the difference."

Still, considering Missouri averages 4 to 3.5 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar is worth considering. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 12 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels again. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

How to find a reputable solar company in St. Louis

In our experience, the best solar companies in Missouri have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Check certifications: You can confirm your contractor's license through the Missouri Department of Professional Registration and search for a business entity through the Missouri business registration online portal. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes

Going solar in St. Louis County

Missouri has renewable portfolio standards (RPS) that require local utilities to increase their use of renewable energy. This could lead to future changes in net metering policies or new incentive programs, so stay informed.

» BEST STATES FOR SOLAR: Missouri ranked 33rd in 2024

Residential solar panel incentives in St. Louis

St. Louis has relatively few local solar incentives. Incidentally, the 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is still the best incentive for most homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels.

Don’t get confused: The ITC is a credit, meaning it directly decreases the amount of taxes you owe. This is different from a deduction, which lowers your taxable income.

For example, if you spend $10,000 installing a solar panel system, the ITC is worth $3,000. If you owe $5,000 in taxes, the $3,000 credit reduces what you owe to $2,000. Any unused portion rolls over to the next tax year. However, it’s possible to get a refund check if the ITC credit reduces your taxes to the point where you overpaid during the year.

You may be able to combine the ITC with local solar incentives in Missouri to maximize savings.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in St. Louis, Missouri. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified St. Louis customers were given preference.

Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. ION Solar
2. Project Solar
3. Green Home Systems