Did you know that Missouri is quite the sunshiny state, with a mean of 206 sunny days each year? That’s a day more than the nationwide average of 205 sunny days.
That many sun-filled days is a good enough reason to consider going solar in Missouri. However, there’s more to investing in solar energy in The Show-Me State.
This guide details why MO is a good state for solar installations, so be sure to read on.
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Peak Sun Hours Comparable to That of the Sunshine State
Florida, The Sunshine State, gets an average of 4 to 4.5 peak sun hours every day. Missouri is a good contender for that nickname, as it has the same average number of peak sun hours.
Peak sun hours, in turn, is a measurement of the sun’s intensity (watts) per square meter per hour. So, one peak sun hour is equivalent to 1000 W/m²/hr. It’s during these peak hours that solar panels generate energy to the best of their abilities.
Availability of High-Output Panels
The total energy generated by solar panels also depends on their output rating. Most home solar panels today have between 250 and 400 W ratings. The higher the rating, the more energy the panels can generate per peak sun hour.
For example, a single 400-watt panel can generate 400 watts of energy per peak sun hour. So, if you multiply that with MO’s 4 to 4.5 peak sun hours, you can get 1,600 W (1.6 kilowatts) to 1,800 W (1.8 kW) per panel a day. As such, a system consisting of 25 400-watt panels can have a total maximum output of 40 to 45 kW a day.
That then translates to a total 30-day output of 1,200 to 1,350 kW. This is more than enough for the average monthly electricity use in MO, which was 1,058 kWh in 2019. As such, a high-output solar panel system could offset your entire electricity bill.
Cost of Solar Panels in Missouri Has Dropped Considerably
The cost of solar has and continues to decrease in the US and around the world.
In The Show-Me State, prices have dropped by 43% in the past half-decade. Thanks to this, the state boasted a total of 303 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity as of the first quarter of 2021. These lower prices are also set to drive the installation of 647 MW more solar capacity in MO in the next five years.
There’s also the 26% federal solar income tax credit, extended until 2022. On top of that are the local solar programs in Missouri, such as net metering and property tax exemption. Kansas City, MO, offers such benefits, according to https://blueravensolar.com/missouri/solar-panel-installers-kansas-city/.
Long Warranties from Reliable MO Solar Companies
Solar panel companies in Missouri offer performance warranties of at least 25 years. These are guarantees that their solar panels will remain at least 80% efficient by the 25th year. This also means the panels can still produce energy in their succeeding years, albeit at a lower rate.
On top of that is an equipment warranty, which covers the system’s hardware itself. It’s usually a 10-year guarantee of free repairs for system defects or part failures in most cases.
Solar in Missouri (And Anywhere Else) Is Worth It
The fact alone that solar is one of the cleanest energy sources should be enough reason to invest in it. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that going solar in Missouri has become much more affordable. There’s also the potential savings of thousands of dollars from electricity bills.
So, as you can see, there’s really no reason not to go solar in MO, or anywhere else for that matter.
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