Solar resource
Your solar production in Kansas City
4.87 avg peak sun hours/day
Monthly avg solar radiation (kWh/m²/day) — Kansas City, MO. Bars update to show estimated kWh production when you use the calculator above.
Utility rate
Evergy (Kansas City service territory) electricity rate
$0.112/kWh residential
- Utility
- Evergy (Kansas City service territory)
- Residential rate
- $0.112/kWh (blended)
Evergy is the investor-owned electric utility serving Kansas City, Missouri and surrounding areas, formed from the 2018 merger of Great Plains Energy (Kansas City Power & Light parent) and Westar Energy. Missouri's net metering law (RSMo Section 393.320) requires Evergy to offer 1:1 net metering at the full retail rate for residential systems up to 100 kW — one of the most generous net metering caps of any state in the country. Most states that have revised net metering rules have reduced the cap to 10–25 kW or moved to avoided-cost crediting; Missouri's 100 kW residential cap at retail rate remains intact as of 2026. Kansas City's solar resource (4.87 peak sun hours/day annually) is moderate for the continental U.S. — summer months produce strongly (July: 7.44 kWh/m²/day) while winter production is constrained by short days and cloud cover (December: 2.92 kWh/m²/day).
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Incentives
Available solar incentives in Kansas City, MO
Federal + state + utility
| Incentive | Type | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) | Tax Credit | 30% of system cost | Federal |
| Missouri Net Metering (1:1 at Retail Rate, up to 100 kW) | Net Metering | Full retail rate ($0.112/kWh) credit for exported solar energy, up to 100 kW system size | State |
| Missouri Solar Energy System Property Tax Exemption | Exemption | 100% of added home value from solar system excluded from property tax assessment | State |
| Evergy Energy Efficiency Rebates | Rebate | Variable rebates for qualifying energy efficiency upgrades; check current Evergy programs | Utility |
Incentive amounts and eligibility rules change. Verify current terms with your installer and a tax professional before installation.
System cost
Cost breakdown (6 kW default)
- Gross system cost
- $19250
- Federal ITC (30%)
- −$5775
- Net system cost
- $13,475
- Installed cost per watt
- $2.75/W
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Tracking the Sun 2024 — Midwest/Central regional median installed cost for systems 3–10 kW. Kansas City's installer market is growing but less competitive than coastal Sunbelt markets; $2.75/W is a reasonable estimate for a standard 7 kW residential system. Savings are based on 7 kW × 1,315 kWh/kW production factor = 9,205 kWh/year × $0.112/kWh = $1,031 year-one savings; 25-year net savings include 2.5%/year rate escalation.
Payback & long-term value
25-year outlook
- Annual savings (yr 1)
- $1,031
- Simple payback period
- 13.1 years
- 25-year net savings
- $19120
- Assumed annual rate increase
- 2.5%/year
25-year estimate uses flat electricity rate for conservative baseline. Accounting for 2.5% annual rate increases, lifetime savings increase substantially.
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How it works
How solar savings work in Kansas City
- Your panels capture Kansas City's seasonal sun across all four seasons Kansas City averages 4.87 peak sun hours per day annually — moderate for the continental U.S. but meaningful for solar production. Summer output is strong (July: 7.44 kWh/m²/day), while winter months are constrained by shorter days and Midwest cloud cover (December: 2.92 kWh/m²/day). A 7 kW standard roof-mount system produces approximately 9,205 kWh per year, covering a significant portion of a typical KC household's annual electricity consumption.
- You offset Evergy electricity purchases at the residential rate Every kWh your system produces during daylight reduces what you buy from Evergy at approximately $0.112/kWh. A 7 kW system producing 9,205 kWh/year saves approximately $1,031 annually at current Evergy rates — the primary driver of solar ROI in Kansas City.
- Excess power earns full retail credit — Missouri's 100 kW net metering cap is unusually generous Missouri law (RSMo §393.320) requires Evergy to credit excess solar exported to the grid at the full retail rate — $0.112/kWh — for residential systems up to 100 kW. This 1:1 net metering at retail rate is one of the most homeowner-favorable net metering policies in the country. States like California (NEM 3.0), Hawaii, Nevada, and Arizona have reduced their net metering rates substantially; Missouri has not. A KC homeowner can install a larger-than-typical system and still receive full retail credit for every kWh exported.
- You claim the 30% federal tax credit In the year your system is installed, claim the federal Investment Tax Credit (30%) — $5,775 on a $19,250 system — reducing your net system cost to $13,475. Missouri does not have a state income tax credit specifically for residential solar, but the property tax exemption (RSMo §137.100) shields the added home value from property tax assessment statewide.
- Missouri's property tax exemption provides ongoing annual savings RSMo Section 137.100 exempts the value your solar system adds to your home from property tax assessment. A 7 kW system in Kansas City typically adds $14,000–$19,000 to home value; at Jackson County and KCMO property tax rates (approximately 1.3–1.6% combined), this saves $182–$304 per year in property taxes — every year the system is on the roof.
- Savings compound as Evergy rates rise over time As Evergy's rates increase (historically ~2.5%/year), your solar savings compound while your system cost stays fixed. A 7 kW system in Kansas City nets approximately $19,120 over 25 years after recovering the net installation cost — solid Midwest economics anchored by Missouri's standout 1:1 retail net metering framework.
FAQ
Common solar savings questions for Kansas City, MO
How much can I save with solar in Kansas City?
A 7 kW system in Kansas City produces approximately 9,205 kWh/year and saves approximately $1,031/year at Evergy's current blended rate of ~$0.112/kWh. After the 30% federal ITC ($5,775), the net system cost is about $13,475, with a payback period of roughly 13.1 years and estimated 25-year net savings of $19,120.
Why is Missouri's net metering law notable for Kansas City homeowners?
Missouri Revised Statutes Section 393.320 requires Evergy to offer net metering at the full retail rate for residential systems up to 100 kW. The 100 kW residential cap is unusually generous — most states that have revised their net metering rules have reduced caps to 10–25 kW or moved to avoided-cost crediting below retail. Missouri's combination of retail-rate credits and 100 kW cap means Kansas City homeowners can install larger-than-typical systems (including systems sized for future EV charging or expanded loads) and still receive full retail value for every kWh exported.
Is Kansas City a good market for solar panels?
Kansas City is a moderate solar market. With 4.87 peak sun hours/day, KC produces meaningfully more solar energy annually than cities like Chicago (3.8) or Seattle (4.1), but significantly less than Southwest cities like Tucson (6.39) or Phoenix (6.57). The payback period (13+ years) is longer than Sunbelt cities but comparable to other Midwest metros. Missouri's strong 1:1 retail net metering framework and the state property tax exemption improve the long-term economics relative to what the raw sun resource alone would suggest.
Does Missouri have a state solar tax credit for Kansas City homeowners?
Missouri does not currently have a state income tax credit specifically for residential solar installation. The primary state-level incentives for Kansas City homeowners are Missouri's 1:1 retail net metering (up to 100 kW, RSMo §393.320) and the Missouri solar property tax exemption (RSMo §137.100), which exempts the value a solar system adds to the home from property tax assessment statewide. The 30% federal ITC is the major upfront financial incentive.
What is the Missouri solar property tax exemption?
Missouri Revised Statutes Section 137.100 exempts the value added to a home by a solar energy system from property tax assessment statewide. In Kansas City, a 7 kW installation typically adds $14,000–$19,000 to home value; at Jackson County / KCMO combined property tax rates (~1.3–1.6%), the exemption saves $182–$304/year — a modest but ongoing benefit across the system's 25+ year lifespan.
Does Kansas City have a statewide energy code for solar installations?
Missouri has no statewide building code or energy code. All solar permit requirements in Kansas City come from the city's locally adopted IRC edition (2018 IRC) and KCMO amendments, administered through the KCMO ePLAN electronic permit system. Requirements differ by city — KCMO's code and local amendments may differ from St. Louis, Springfield, or other Missouri cities.
How does Kansas City solar compare to St. Louis solar?
Kansas City (NREL lat 39.10°N, 4.87 peak sun hours/day) and St. Louis (lat 38.63°N, 4.67 peak sun hours/day) are broadly similar Midwest solar markets. Kansas City receives slightly more annual sun thanks to its more westerly, drier location. Both cities are served by Missouri's 1:1 retail net metering law and the statewide property tax exemption. Kansas City uses Evergy as its primary utility; St. Louis uses Ameren Missouri. Both utilities offer net metering at rates near $0.110–$0.115/kWh. Payback periods in both cities are in the 12–14 year range.
Sources
Data sources and freshness
- https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
- https://www.evergy.com/residential/rates
- https://www.evergy.com/home/greenenergy/solar
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=393.320
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=137.100
- https://openei.org/apps/USURDB/
- https://dsireusa.org/state/missouri/
- https://emp.lbl.gov/tracking-the-sun
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only — not financial or investment advice. Solar savings depend on actual shading, roof orientation, energy usage patterns, rate changes, and equipment performance. Consult a licensed installer and a tax professional before making purchasing decisions. Verify incentive eligibility with official sources. Data last verified 2026-04-19.