The 'Show Me' state showing some serious solar job growth!

Recent Update

Legislation is moving this year to expand net metering, and to step down the state’s solar incentive level over time. Our friends at Renew Missouri are fighting hard to make sure the utilities don’t add nasty amendments to the solar legislation. Missouri may not be a top solar state yet, but the Solar Foundation’s solar jobs map shows that over 1,200 local solar jobs already exist in the “Show Me’ state! Read more here.

Policy Background

Technically, Missouri has a renewable energy goal (known as an “RPS target”) on the books. Thanks to a citizen backed ballot initiative in 2008, 15% of Missouri’s energy is supposed to come from renewable resources by 2021.  2% of  that goal is supposed to be met with solar photovoltaics.  The initiative also established an incentive of $2/watt rebate for small-scale solar systems.

Unfortunately, the implementation of the RPS target has been stalled by powerful interests in the state. For years now, the RPS targets have been missed as the legislature and the courts debate over the rules and constitutionality of the original ballot initiative. The silver lining is that the $2/watt incentive is still in place, so a solar industry has began to develop in the state.

Vote Solar’s instate partners are working tirelessly to get the RPS target up and running, through legislative and regulatory channels. There also are efforts afoot to improve the state’s net metering policy. Vote Solar will provide support to our partners as they try to turn the Show-me state into a solar state.

Vote Solar’s lead for Missouri is Annie Lappé, who can be reached at annie@votesolar.org, 720.402.9102