Going Solar with Liberty (Empire District) in Missouri

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.

Liberty (Empire) specifics

Liberty Utilities, formerly Empire District Electric, serves much of southwest Missouri. Its Missouri net metering rate schedule credits excess generation under the terms of the state law. Check Liberty's current tariff for the exact credit rate.

Solar rebate. Liberty's Missouri tariff shows the solar rebate at $0.00 per watt for systems operating after December 31, 2023. New systems shouldn't count on a utility rebate.

Interconnection. As with every Missouri utility, you'll need an approved interconnection and net metering agreement before you connect, plus a local electrical permit and inspection where required.

A note on service area. Solar Sam is based in Columbia and focuses on mid-Missouri. If you're a Liberty customer outside our area, many of the tips here still apply. Call (573) 819-9623 to ask whether we can reach you.

How Solar Sam can help Liberty Utilities (Empire) customers

Solar Sam is a Columbia, Missouri solar and electrical contractor serving mid-Missouri. We are not affiliated with Liberty Utilities (Empire). 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 Liberty Utilities (Empire)'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.