If you live in Kansas City and are thinking about installing a solar system, you probably have some concerns or unanswered questions. Installing solar panels can be a stress-free and easy process if you choose the right company and have all of the necessary information beforehand. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about solar panels in Kansas City.
This article will cover
- Solar System Installation Costs In Kansas
- Incentives, Tax Credits, & Rebates For Solar Panels In Kansas City
- What To Look At When Installing Solar Panels In Kansas City
- Top 7 Solar Companies In Kansas City
Solar System Installation Costs In Kansas
The first thing that you probably want to know if you are thinking about installing solar panels on your property is the price. There is good news for you. Missouri is slightly cheaper than most of the states in the USA.
The average price per watt of solar energy is around $3 before any price reductions. Here is the table that will help you figure out how much approximately will you need for installing a solar system on your property.
| System size | Area it covers | System cost before ITC |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 90 sq. ft. | $3,060 |
| 2 kW | 180 sq. ft. | $6,120 |
| 3 kW | 270 sq. ft. | $9,180 |
| 4 kW | 360 sq. ft. | $12,240 |
| 5 kW | 450 sq. ft. | $15,300 |
| 6 kW | 540 sq. ft. | $18,360 |
| 7 kW | 630 sq. ft. | $21,420 |
| 8 kW | 720 sq. ft. | $24,480 |
| 9 kW | 810 sq. ft. | $27,540 |
| 10 kW | 900 sq. ft. | $30,600 |
Keep in mind that the prices shown are before any potential reductions and rebates, in case you don’t qualify for any.
The prices can further vary depending on the type of solar system you want to use. There are two types available – residential, for homes, and commercial, for businesses. The difference between these two is the size – commercial solar panels are larger than residential ones.
They are also a bit more efficient so they produce more power. If you want to maximize the solar potential for your home you can consider installing the commercial panels, but they are not significantly more efficient so it is not necessary.
Next, the material and the manufacturer used can either increase or decrease the total cost of your solar system. While you can find very cheap solar panels it is probably best that you spend a bit more money on the higher-quality ones. After all, they are supposed to last at least 20 years.
Finally, the installation costs depend on the company that you choose. Finding a good, reliable, and experienced contractor makes the whole process a lot easier and stress-free, so make sure to check out the recommended companies at the end of this article.
Incentives, Tax Credits, & Rebates For Solar Panels In Kansas City
The table shown above contains the raw prices, without any potential reductions. The most significant possible reduction of the price that you may qualify for is the ITC or Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit.
The ITC can take 30% off of the total cost of your solar system if you decide to install one before 2032. In 2033 this amount will be reduced to 26%, and, unless renewed, it will expire in 2035.
In order to qualify, you need to be the owner of the property and the solar panels that you plan to install. Another criterion for claiming this tax credit is that you must have sufficient tax liability. Here are the prices of solar system installation when ITC reduction is included.
| System size | Area it covers | System cost after ITC |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 90 sq. ft. | $2,264 |
| 2 kW | 180 sq. ft. | $4,488 |
| 3 kW | 270 sq. ft. | $6,712 |
| 4 kW | 360 sq. ft. | $8,936 |
| 5 kW | 450 sq. ft. | $11,160 |
| 6 kW | 540 sq. ft. | $13,384 |
| 7 kW | 630 sq. ft. | $15,608 |
| 8 kW | 720 sq. ft. | $17,832 |
| 9 kW | 810 sq. ft. | $20,056 |
| 10 kW | 900 sq. ft. | $22,280 |
The ITC reduces the prices by large and makes solar systems much more affordable.
If you are a Columbia Water & Light customer, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $625 per kW of your solar system. This applies to the system that is up to 10 kW.
If you are a Kansas City Power & Light customer, you can take advantage of their solar rebate. They provide $0.25 per watt of solar energy that you install, but there is a total limit of 50 dollars available for this rebate, so act quickly to take advantage of this great opportunity.
Ameren Missouri offers a rebate of $0.25 per watt of solar energy within their Smart Energy Plan.
Finally, the state of Missouri offers property tax exemption that you would normally have to pay because installing solar panels increases the price of a property.
What To Look At When Installing Solar Panels In Kansas City
Kansas City has a continental climate: hot summers, cold winters, and almost 100 days of precipitation on average per year. The most important thing when it comes to the efficiency of solar panels is the number of sunny days they get. Kansas City gets 215 per year, which makes it a great place for solar energy usage.
Peak hours are the day when the solar panels receive the most direct sunlight. It happens when the sun is at its highest, and for the solar panels to function optimally, at least 4 peak hours per day are needed.
Kansas City averages 5 peak hours per day, so you won’t have to worry whether your solar panels will be able to generate enough power. The number of peak hours also depends on whether your solar panels have a tracker for different seasons. If they do, they can get up to 7 peak hours per day, maximizing their efficiency.
Another thing to know when installing solar panels is the direction and angle at which they will be able to get the most sunlight, and therefore, produce more electricity. Solar panels in Kansas City should be facing south.
If they are fixed at the same position throughout the whole year, the best angle is 39 degrees. In case you want to change the position of your solar panels twice a year, they should be at 15 degrees in summer and around 53 degrees in winter.
If you decide to completely maximize their energy potential and reposition them as the seasons change, they should be at 36 degrees in spring, 12 degrees in summer, 59 degrees during the winter months, and again, 36 degrees in autumn.
Top 7 Solar Companies In Kansas City
Installing solar panels can be a complicated process, especially if you don’t know much about them, to begin with. Here are the top 7 companies operating in Kansas City that can guide you through the whole process.
1. KC Energy Solar
KC Solar is a company based in Kansas City that specializes in providing high-quality solar systems. They do everything – from free consultation and evaluation, design, permitting, and authorizations, to installation. You can expect dedicated professionals who care about providing you with the best service.
Location: 820 Atlantic St, Kansas City, MO 64116
Phone: 816-268-7810
2. Rising Sun Solar
Rising Sun Solar is a company that has been awarded numerous awards throughout the years. They are dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint, emissions, and waste, and they are helping you achieve this as well. You can schedule a free consultation on their website, and you can also get a free estimate on how much money solar panels can save you.
Location: 3525 Roanoke Rd Suite 110, Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone: 816-489-4154
3. Browning Electric
This is a small, but fast-growing company, and for this reason, their prices are competitive on the market. They offer a 25-year warranty on all panels, an 8-year payback for residential, and a 3-year payback on commercial systems. They also provide you with a free solar quote before the whole process starts.
Location: 3838 Wyandotte St, Kansas City MO, 64111
Phone: 816-400-4474
4. Barret Solar
Barret Solar has helped thousands of families switch to renewable energy as the main source of electricity. They do everything – design, permissions, installation, and after that, regular inspections. You can also get a loan from them – they work with solar lenders, and you can have your solar system with a zero-down payment.
Location: 3603 N Kimball Dr, Kansas City, MO 64161
Phone: 816-584-4758
5. Ecovole Solar
Ecovole Solar is located in Kansas City and they are proud of their customer support quality. They use the latest technology and implement quality controls. Ecovole Solar offers a 25-year warranty on their products, so you don’t have to worry about your solar panels lasting less than that.
Location: Kansas City, MO 6165 NW 86th St, Johnston, IA
Phone: 816-226-8747
6. Shinnova Solar
This company offers residential and agricultural panels, as well as storage options, monitoring, and financing if needed. They guide you through the whole process of installing a solar system and they also have a referral program.
Location: 1136 Adams Street, Kansas City KS, 66103
Phone: 913-339-8641
7. Lifetime Solar
Lifetime Solar’s mission is “to exceed your expectations every step of the way”. They serve homeowners, businesses, farms, and the government. They offer zero-down payment loan options and a 25-year warranty on their products.
Location: 1509 Walnut St Ste 102, Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 888-477-8869
Conclusion
Going solar in Kansas City has never been easier. The prices are also cheaper than ever – with the ITC, rebates, and the loans that you can get, switching to solar energy is one of the best investments that you can make nowadays. Not only that, you would also be helping the environment!