Solar in Kansas City
Kansas City sits on the Missouri-Kansas border, which means different policies depending on which side you live on. Evergy serves most of the metro area, providing consistent solar policies across state lines.
Kansas City Solar Factors
- Good sunshine: 5.0 peak sun hours, 215 sunny days
- Moderate electricity rates: ~$0.12/kWh through Evergy
- Two-state metro: Missouri and Kansas have different incentives
- Evergy territory: Same utility on both sides
- Weather challenges: Severe storms, hail, tornadoes
Evergy & Utilities
Evergy (formerly Kansas City Power & Light and Westar Energy) serves the Kansas City metro on both the Missouri and Kansas sides. This simplifies solar policies somewhat.
Evergy Net Metering
- Net metering: Available in both Kansas and Missouri
- Credit rates: Vary by state regulation—check current tariffs
- System limits: Residential size caps apply
- Interconnection: Standard Evergy process
Average Electricity Costs
- KC metro average: ~$0.12/kWh
- Summer peaks: Higher with AC demand
- Rate trends: Generally increasing over time
- State differences: Minor variations between MO and KS sides
Incentives & Tax Credits
Federal Tax Credit (2026)
| Ownership Type | Federal Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash/Loan Purchase | None (0%) | 25D residential credit ended Dec 31, 2025 |
| PPA/Lease | 30% (to company) | 48E credit through Dec 31, 2027 |
The solar company claims the credit on leased systems and passes savings to you through lower rates.
Missouri Incentives (Kansas City, MO)
- State tax credit: None currently
- Property tax exemption: Missouri exempts 100% of solar value
- Net metering: Strong policies in Missouri
- Utility programs: Check Evergy for current rebates
Kansas Incentives (Kansas City, KS)
- State tax credit: None currently
- Property tax exemption: Kansas exempts solar from property tax
- Net metering: Available but policies have varied
- Utility programs: Check Evergy Kansas for current programs
Costs & Savings
Average System Costs (2026)
| System Size | Gross Cost | Cost Per Watt |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $12,500-15,500 | $2.50-3.10 |
| 7 kW | $17,500-21,700 | $2.50-3.10 |
| 10 kW | $25,000-31,000 | $2.50-3.10 |
No federal tax credit for purchased systems in 2026. Both MO and KS have property tax exemptions.
Production & Savings
- Annual production: 1,300-1,450 kWh per kW installed
- 7 kW system output: ~9,100-10,000 kWh/year
- Annual savings: $1,000-1,250 at $0.12/kWh
- Payback period: 13-16 years (honest assessment)
Weather Considerations
- Hail risk: Significant in Kansas City metro—choose durable panels
- Tornadoes: Insurance is important; panels are well-anchored
- Severe storms: Common in spring and summer
- Snow: Occasional; panels typically self-clear
The Bottom Line
Kansas City solar offers decent Midwest returns. With 13-16 year paybacks, it's not the fastest market, but both Missouri and Kansas provide property tax exemptions that protect your investment.
Key considerations:
- Check which state your address is in—policies differ
- Evergy serves both sides with net metering
- Property tax exemptions in both MO and KS
- PPA/Lease retains federal credit benefit
- Hail-resistant panels worth considering
- Good long-term investment for 25+ year ownership
Questions About Solar in Kansas City?
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