Solar Panel Installation Cost in Kansas City, MO [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $23,348 - $50,428

Installing solar panels in Kansas City, Missouri, averages $35,985, though it ranges between $23,348 and $50,428 based on system size, panel type, wattage, and more. A solar panel installer can assess your roof and install your system.

How we get this data
A house roof with solar panels
Westend61 / Getty Images
A house roof with solar panels
Westend61 / Getty Images
Cost Insights
  • Kansas City solar panel systems are eligible for net metering with the city’s two primary utility companies.

  • State and local incentives for solar are limited in Kansas City, but the majority of buildings are solar-viable.

  • Installing solar panels on your roof can increase your home’s value, but a solar pro or real estate agent can provide recommendations specific to your home.

Installing a solar panel system in Kansas City, Missouri, allows you to generate renewable energy and take advantage of net metering programs. Over half of the buildings in Kansas City have full or partial sun exposure, making them solar viable. The cost to install a solar panel system in Kansas City averages $35,985, but it ranges between $23,348 and $50,428. A solar panel installation pro can evaluate your home’s potential for solar and give you an estimate for the project.

Solar Panel Installation Cost Factors 

These are the main cost factors that impact the price of solar panel installation in Kansas City, Missouri.  

Solar System Size 

The size of the solar system will impact your solar panel installation costs. The larger the output, the more you’ll pay. Most homes need 6- to 10-kW (kilowatt) systems, which work out to anywhere from 15 to 34 panels, depending on the wattage. In Kansas City, it costs between $2.60 and $3.50 per watt to install a solar panel system.

The table below shows average costs based on the size of your solar system:

Solar System Size (kW)Average Cost
4$10,320–$14,000
5$12,900–$17,500
6$15,480–$21,000
7$18,060–$24,500
8$20,640–$28,000
9$23,220–$31,500
10$25,800–$35,000
11$28,380–$38,500
12$30,960–$42,000

Type of Panel

3 common solar panel systems compared visually, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film

When choosing the type of solar panel that works best for your home, consider three main factors: efficiency, life expectancy, and design. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient, but they’re also the most expensive. Polycrystalline panels are the most environmentally friendly to produce, but they aren’t as efficient or long-lasting as monocrystalline. Thin film solar panels can be the least expensive, but they have the shortest lifespan and aren’t as efficient as the other two types.

Here’s how the type of solar panel can affect your cost:

Type of Solar PanelAverage Cost per WattPros Cons
Monocrystalline$1–$1.50Long lifespan (40 years), highest efficiency, best for cloudy weather and homes with limited roof spaceMost expensive, process to manufacture panels is energy-intensive
Polycrystalline$0.90–$1Environmentally friendly production, less expensive than monocrystallineLess efficient than monocrystalline
Thin film$0.50–$1Versatile for challenging locations, most affordable Shortest lifespan (10–20 years), least efficient

Number of Panels Needed 

On average, most homes need anywhere from 20 to 25 panels to fully power a home, but this can range from as few as 15 to as many as 34. How many panels you need depends on the number of watts per panel, your energy consumption, and the efficiency of your panels. Your average solar panel will have an output of anywhere from 250 to 400 watts. The dimensions of your solar panels will also depend on the power output.

Solar System Hardware 

Hardware will affect the total solar installation cost in Kansas City. Your solar installation pro can walk you through the different options for your system and price out different components, like a string inverter or power optimizer. The more advanced the technology, the higher the up-front cost. The type of mount will affect the cost as well: 

  • Fixed mounts: $10–$15 per mount 

  • Adjustable mounts: $50 per mount

  • Tracking: $500–$3,000 or more per mount (these mounts can self-track sunlight, leading to up to 45% more energy production)

Other materials you will need for a solar energy system include the parts in the table below. 

HardwareAverage Cost
String inverter$1,000–$3,000 each
Microinverters$150–$300 each
Power optimizer$80–$150 each
Solar battery$400–$15,000
  • Inverter and microinverters: Convert direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity 

  • Optimizer: Regulates currents so each panel is more energy efficient and prevents power loss

  • Battery: Stores excess energy from the system so homeowners can use it at night or during a power outage 

Some systems use a single solar inverter or several microinverters that convert DC to AC electricity. Materials like the wiring and battery are often grouped with the package price unless you opt for add-on services.

Solar Panel Installation Pro Costs

Hiring an experienced pro to install your solar panels is key to making the most of this exciting new home addition. Budget $0.50 per watt for labor when hiring a solar panel installer near you. This number doesn’t include permits or the cost of additional technology, such as special mounts, tiles, or shingles. 

Electrical Labor Costs 

Solar panel installation does require electrical work. Though many solar panel installation companies have a licensed electrician on staff who specializes in solar panels, roofing contractors sometimes subcontract an electrician. The average cost of hiring an electrician is $60 to $120 per hour.

Permits and Inspections

Depending on your area, you may need to get a building permit and a solar panel inspection before you can unveil your new solar panels. Permits and inspections will add an average of $450 to the solar panel costs.

Kansas City provides the CompassKC system that allows you or your contractor to complete the process of obtaining solar panel permits. The process includes review, approval, permits, and inspections.

Does Solar Panel Installation Increase Home Value?

Nationally, installing solar panels on your home can increase your home’s sales price by around 4.1%, according to a Zillow study. Even if you don’t intend to sell your home anytime soon, you’ll see a return on investment (ROI) in the form of energy savings that solar panels provide over the life of the system.

The average homeowner can save around $1,380 per year on energy costs. In some cases, you can receive credits on your energy bills for the excess energy your system generates if you’re enrolled in a net metering program. Discuss the potential ROI of your system with your solar installation pro in Kansas City, Missouri, and how to build the most efficient system possible for your home.

Pro Tip

Once your solar panels are paid off, they're officially your property. If you move, you can reinstall them on a new rooftop. Alternatively, they can increase the value of your home by 3% to 4% and attract more buyers. They can also give your property a competitive edge in a buyers’ market.

CEO and Founder of Integrity Energy

 — Cleveland, OH

Government Credits and Tax Incentives

The best way to save money on the up-front costs of installing solar panels is to take advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before it ends on December 31, 2025. The ITC allows homeowners to claim a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the price of their solar panel system installation.

For example, if your solar panel system costs $30,000 before the federal tax credit, you can save around $9,000. However, to benefit from this credit, your solar system has to be installed and working before the federal incentive ends.

The ITC, also known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, was originally extended through 2032 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, new federal legislation (the Big Beautiful Bill Act) signed into law on July 4, 2025, terminated the credit early. The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) outlines the high-level policy changes and restrictions on energy tax credits.

Additionally, the extra power you choose not to store in a battery can be sent back to the grid. Your local utility company will compensate you for that power, but the amount will vary. You can check the Utility Rate Database on Open EI to estimate how much you can expect to receive for generating excess energy.

State or Local Solar Incentives

The primary incentive to install solar panels in Kansas City is the opportunity to take advantage of net metering. You can speak with your solar pro and check the city’s website to see if there are additional incentives in your area.

Net Metering

Net metering allows homeowners to receive a credit for the net additional power on their utility bill if they generate more electricity than they use. This net metering credit applies to the regulated electric companies that service the state, specifically Energy Missouri West and Ameren Missouri, both of which provide electric services to the city.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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