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Missouri’s Solar Energy Resource

What is it, how much is there, and how can we use it?

Missouri has a good solar resource, and use of solar energy offers environmental benefits. A beneficial attribute of photovoltaic modules and solar thermal energy collectors is their ability to produce energy with significantly less air emissions. While the production of photovoltaic modules currently has an energy payback of about 2-4 years, they can provide years of emission-free electricity. Once in place and operating, photovoltaics and solar thermal energy collectors create no pollutants. Given that these modules typically carry warrantees of 25 years and are commonly expected to remain operational long beyond the warranty period, photovoltaics contribute to cleaner energy. Additional attributes of photovoltaic modules include low or zero noise, high durability and reliability, simplicity of operation, low maintenance, high power quality, distributed nature that minimizes transmission line losses, and maximum production at times of peak demand.

This general overview of solar energy information is intended to help people beginning to think about building or buying either a photovoltaic or solar water heating system. It includes tables describing Missouri's solar resource; general explanations of passive and active solar energy systems; and bibliographical information and web links intended to lead interested parties to additional information.

Missouri’s Solar Energy Resource

What is it, how much is there, and how can we use it?

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