Going Solar with Columbia Water & Light: Rebates, Net Metering and Permits

Missouri's net metering law in brief

Missouri's Net Metering and Easy Connection Act (RSMo 386.890) requires electric utilities, including investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives, to offer net metering for qualifying renewable systems of 100 kW or less. In general, the energy your system sends to the grid is netted against what you use in a billing period. If you export more than you use, the excess is credited at the utility's avoided cost, which is much lower than the retail rate. Credits are applied to future bills and expire after 12 months. Monthly customer or service charges still apply.

In practical terms, solar pays best when it offsets the power you would otherwise buy at the retail rate. Oversizing a system to sell power back rarely pays off in Missouri.

Columbia Water & Light specifics

Columbia Water & Light (CWL) is the city-owned electric utility for much of Columbia. If you're a CWL customer, you have a few advantages that most Missouri utility customers don't.

Solar rebate. CWL's website describes a solar rebate of $500 per kW, plus an additional amount based on modeled peak-time production, panel tilt, azimuth and shading. The rebate requires approval before installation and is capped. Program terms and funding can change, so confirm the current rebate with CWL before you sign a contract.

Net metering credit. Under CWL's interconnection and net metering agreement, when CWL retains the renewable energy credits, the customer is credited for exported solar energy at the customer's current applicable rate schedule. Read the agreement for the current terms.

The 110% sizing rule. Under CWL's October 2024 guidelines, a system's projected yearly generation can't exceed 110% of the property's previous three-year average usage, as calculated by CWL.

Process. CWL's guidelines lay out the order of operations:

1. A signed Interconnection and Net Metering Agreement (NMA) before installation.
2. Plans certified by a Columbia-licensed master electrician, a Missouri-licensed electrical contractor or a Missouri professional engineer.
3. An electrical permit through the City's Building and Site Development department.
4. CWL review of the installed system and installation of a bidirectional meter. CWL then notifies you that the system can be connected.

Solar loans. CWL also lists a residential solar energy loan program. See CWL's site for current limits and rates.

How Solar Sam can help Columbia Water & Light customers

Solar Sam is a Columbia, Missouri solar and electrical contractor serving mid-Missouri. We are not affiliated with Columbia Water & Light. The utility approves the interconnection and sets the meter, and we handle the work on your side of the meter:

• Sizing a new system based on your actual usage history, so you aren't overbuilding past what the utility will credit.
• Interconnection paperwork. We prepare the application, the one-line diagram and the equipment specifications the utility and your local permit office require.
• Batteries and backup. Storage lets you use more of your own solar at night and keep key circuits running during an outage. A generator is another option for longer outages.
• Service on existing systems, including systems installed by companies that have since closed: inspections, repairs, monitoring reconnection and detach-and-reset for roof replacements.
• Electrical upgrades, such as panel replacements, that a solar or battery project sometimes requires.

Call (573) 819-9623 to talk through your bills and your roof. We'll tell you honestly whether solar makes sense for your home under Columbia Water & Light's current rules.

A note on tax credits

The federal residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so homeowners shouldn't plan on it for a new purchase. Ask a tax professional about your own situation.

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Company and utility details change, so check the linked sources and your own documents. Last reviewed October 2026.