Learn & Prepare

Solar Resources

Free guides, checklists, and educational articles to help KC-area homeowners make confident solar decisions.

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Solar 101 Guide

New to solar? This guide covers everything a first-time buyer needs to know before committing to a system.

1

Understand How Solar Works

Solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity. An inverter converts it to AC power your home uses. Extra power goes back to the grid or into a battery.

Read the Full Explainer
2

Know Your Numbers

Pull 12 months of utility bills. Note your highest and lowest month. Your average kWh usage determines your ideal system size.

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3

Understand Your Options

Cash Purchase gives you the best long-term return. Solar Loan often costs less per month than your current bill. Solar Lease is the simplest way to start saving with nothing down.

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4

Check Your Incentives

Federal solar tax incentives may be available depending on your purchase structure and tax situation, consult a tax professional for current eligibility. Missouri also offers sales tax and property tax exemptions. Net metering means the utility pays you.

See All Incentives
5

Evaluate Your Roof

South-facing roof with 10+ years of life is ideal. Shading from trees or chimneys reduces output. We assess this free during your home evaluation.

Homeowner Guide
6

Choose a Trusted Installer

Look for licensed, insured contractors with local references. Ask about warranty coverage, permitting process, and ongoing monitoring support.

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Be Prepared

Homeowner Checklist

Use this checklist before your free solar consultation to get the most accurate quote and comparison.

Before Your Consultation

  • Gather 12 months of utility bills (or authorize utility data pull)
  • Note your highest monthly bill and lowest monthly bill
  • Know your roof age and material (asphalt shingle, metal, tile?)
  • Check if you have an HOA and know their solar policy
  • Think about any future changes: EV purchase, home additions, pool
  • Know your approximate credit score (for financing discussions)
  • Have your property tax bill handy (for exemption value calculation)

Questions to Ask Any Solar Company

  • Are you licensed and insured in Missouri/Kansas?
  • What does your labor warranty cover? (BGE provides 5 years on new installs, 2 years on re-installs, labor only)
  • Do you pull permits, or do you expect me to?
  • What monitoring system comes with my install?
  • Who do I call if something isn’t working?
  • What brands of equipment do you use and why?
  • What happens to my equipment warranty if you close? (Manufacturer warranties follow the equipment, not the installer)
  • How long has your company been in business?
Keep It Running

Solar Maintenance Guide

Solar systems have almost no maintenance needs. No moving parts, no oil changes, no filters. But a few simple practices keep your system at peak performance for 25+ years.

Annual Maintenance Checklist

  • Check monitoring app monthly, verify production vs. historical
  • Inspect panels visually for debris, bird nesting, or damage
  • Check inverter display or app for any error codes
  • Verify monitoring system is connected and reporting
  • Schedule professional inspection every 1 to 2 years

When to Call BGE

  • Production drops more than 10% from your baseline
  • Inverter shows an alert or error code
  • You receive an alert from Enphase, SolarEdge, or your monitoring platform
  • Physical damage to panels or racking (hail, wind, debris)
  • You notice wildlife under or around the panels
  • Your utility bill unexpectedly increases
Do I Need Service?
Solar panel maintenance on roof
Stay Informed

Articles & Blog

Educational content written for KC-area homeowners by the BGE team.

Solar panels blog article
Guide

How to Read Your Utility Bill Before Going Solar

Understanding your current bill is the first step to knowing exactly how much solar will save you. Here’s what to look for.

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Net metering article
Article

Net Metering in Missouri: What KC Homeowners Need to Know in 2025

Net metering policies matter for your solar ROI. Here’s the current state of net metering in Missouri and Kansas.

Learn More
Solar tax credit article
Guide

Understanding Federal Solar Tax Incentives

Federal solar tax incentives can significantly reduce your system cost. Here’s what to know and why consulting a tax professional matters.

See Incentives

More articles coming soon. We’re building out our library of KC-focused solar content. Check back regularly or contact us with questions.

Free Downloads

Downloadable Resources

Solar Homeowner Checklist

Everything you need before your solar consultation, in a convenient printable checklist.

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Solar ROI Worksheet

Calculate your personal solar ROI using your actual utility bills and our step-by-step worksheet.

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System Maintenance Log

Track your system’s maintenance history with our simple maintenance log template.

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Questions We Didn’t Answer?

Give us a call or send a message, our team is here to help KC homeowners make smart solar decisions.

816-463-1545Get a Quote