When most people think of solar power, they picture desert states like Arizona or Nevada. But here’s the surprise: Kansas and Missouri offer some of the best solar potential in the country once you consider sunlight availability, land conditions, and favorable net-metering policies.

If you’re in either of these states, you’re sitting on a strong opportunity to turn sunlight into long-term energy savings.

The Heartland Has Plenty of Sunshine

Both Kansas and Missouri enjoy abundant solar irradiance, meaning the total energy the sun provides across a given area.

Kansas averages between 4.8 and 5.5 peak sun hours per day, comparable to southern states like Georgia and Tennessee.

Missouri averages 4.5 to 5.0 peak sun hours per day, depending on your location (higher in the west, slightly lower in the Ozarks).

That might not sound like much difference, but for a well-sized solar array, this translates to thousands of kilowatt-hours of annual generation per household or business.

Why it matters:

More consistent sunlight means your panels spend more time generating at peak capacity, which shortens your payback period and increases your overall return on investment.

Geographic Location = Reliable Production

Kansas and Missouri both sit in a mid-continental climate zone with relatively clear skies and moderate seasonal variation. While both states experience some snow and cloud cover during winter months, spring through fall are consistently sunny.

Because they’re not coastal or mountainous, they avoid major shading issues and benefit from wide-open skies, especially in rural and suburban areas.

Kansas’ flatter terrain and agricultural landscape make it ideal for ground-mounted systems or large-scale commercial solar farms.

Missouri’s mix of open farmland and suburban rooftops means plenty of space and good southern exposure for residential and business solar installations.

Bottom line: The geographic balance of sunlight, moderate temperatures, and open land makes both states excellent for year-round solar efficiency.

Net Metering Maximizes the Value of That Sunshine

It’s not just how much sunlight you get. It’s what you can do with it.

Both Kansas and Missouri offer net-metering programs, which allow you to send excess solar power back to the grid and receive credits on your utility bill.

Here’s how it helps:

During sunny days, your panels may produce more power than you need.

Your utility gives you credit for that excess energy.

Later (for example, at night or during winter months), you draw on those credits to offset your consumption.

Your solar system acts like a virtual battery, giving you credit for excess energy to help offset your power use at night or on cloudy days.

Kansas Net Metering:

• Available for most investor-owned utilities (like Evergy).
• Systems up to 15 kW (residential) or 100 kW (commercial) can qualify.
• Excess energy is credited at the utility’s “system average cost,” which is a lower wholesale rate, not the full retail rate. 
• Any credits remaining at the end of a monthly billing period expire. This means you do not carry forward excess credits from one month to the next. 

Missouri Net Metering:

• State-mandated for all electric utilities up to 100 kW systems.
• If you generate more electricity than you use in a month, the excess is credited to your bill at an avoided-cost rate. This credit is applied to future bills, but it expires if not used within 12 months. 

With these programs in place, solar in Kansas and Missouri doesn’t just make environmental sense. It’s financially smart, too.

Consistent Annual Generation = Predictable Returns

Unlike states with heavy cloud cover or long winters, Kansas and Missouri’s consistent solar exposure means stable year-over-year energy production.

In practice, a properly oriented solar system in either state can generate 1,300–1,600 kWh per installed kilowatt each year, comparable to or even better than many mid-Atlantic and northern states.

This consistency is key for:

• Businesses looking to forecast long-term energy costs.
• Homeowners wanting predictable savings and faster payback periods.
• Investors seeking stable returns from commercial or community solar projects.

Central Location, Local Impact

Because Kansas and Missouri sit in the geographical center of the U.S., both states benefit from lower solar equipment shipping costs, strong interconnection networks, and growing local installer markets. Combined with high solar potential and favorable policies, this makes solar a practical and cost-effective energy solution for the region.

The Bottom Line

While they might not top the national charts for total sunlight hours, Kansas and Missouri’s combination of strong solar resources, open geography, and solid net-metering programs make them excellent (and often underrated) places to go solar.

If you live or operate a business in either state, you’re in a prime position to:
• Generate reliable, clean electricity year-round.
• Lower your utility bills through net-metering credits.
• Take advantage of federal and local incentives.
• Increase your property value while cutting your carbon footprint.

In short, the Midwest sun is working hard for you. You just have to capture it.