Missouri Making Great Strides

As renewable energy costs decrease, the potential for growth rises. Missouri’s clean energy sectors have been making great strides. Successes in the state’s wind, solar and storage sector allows for hope for the future.

Missouri’s clean energy sector is poised to see significant growth in the coming years. In 2022, 673,000 homes are powered by clean energy and the state has an installed capacity of 2,527 MW of wind, solar and storage. Clean energy has created $4 billion in capital investments in Missouri, as well as an impressive $16.8 million in annual local tax payments and $16 million in annual land lease payments for rural landowners. The clean power industry in Missouri also employs over 4,400 people. 

While the clean energy expansion is surely great for Missouri's economy, it has done wonders for environment, as clean energy generation creates no emissions and uses virtually no water. In 2021 alone, Missouri's wind power helped to save over 1 billion gallons of water and avoided over 7 million metric tons of CO2 — the equivalent of taking over 1.5 million cars off the road.

state currently has an installed capacity of 2,435 megawatts (MW) of wind power. Although it only ranks 23^rd in the nation, there are 479 MW under construction and another 1,157 MW in advanced development to look forward to.

Missouri solar power has been taking off as well. Major companies have been getting involved in the state’s solar market, including IKEA, which built a 1 MW project in St. Louis. Ranking 35^th in the nation for installed solar energy with 357.64 MW, Missouri is projected to add 587 MW over the next five years. The cost of solar has dropped 50% since 2012, making it one of the lower-cost sources of electricity generation in the nation. Currently, Missouri’s electricity is made up of 0.72% solar energy, enough to power 37,753 homes.

Missouri’s solar industry employs 2,522 citizens through its 113 solar companies including 14 manufacturers, 39 installers and developers and 60 other related companies. The solar industry has invested $910.91 million in the state, with $113.21 in 2021 alone. 

This year, utility Ameren Missouri created the Renewable Solutions Program to help businesses and organizations replace up to 100% of their energy use with renewable energy. The program was filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission in July, 2022 and approval is expected by spring of 2023. 

As America’s energy sector transitions to a clean energy economy, states across the nation are preparing for a future with huge growth in clean jobs. In 2020, Missouri had 51,570 clean energy jobs. Renewable energy generation is the second largest clean energy employer in Missouri with 5,124 workers. 

Renewable energy accounted for 12 percent of the state’s electricity in 2021, with over 70% of that being generated by wind. This is expected to expand as utilities make plans to add more wind, solar and storage to their portfolios. As the state welcomes more clean energy projects, new jobs will emerge in urban and rural communities, businesses will continue to grow, and ratepayers will continue to benefit from low-cost clean energy. Clean Grid Alliance is actively working to ensure good policies are in place in Missouri to ensure that the renewable energy industry will continue to grow.

Originally posted 11/2019, updated 08/2022 by Delainey Thorud, Communications Associate