House Bill 662 and Senate Bill 396 encourage competition, provide more energy choices, and strengthen the grid for all
(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) — Missouri Rep. Ben Keathley, R-Chesterfield, and Sen. Curtis Trent, R-Springfield, have both announced the introduction of legislation establishing a three-year community solar pilot program in Missouri. HB 662 and its companion bill in the Senate, SB 386, will provide access to affordable energy throughout the state and serve as a launch pad for growing a strong community solar sector in Missouri. HB 662 was referred to the Emerging Issues Committee.
“I’m proud to be sponsoring community solar legislation that will protect Missourians from rising utility rates, making energy costs more predictable and manageable for working class families,” said Rep. Ben Keathley. “In addition to lowering electric bills, this program will spur economic development, create good paying jobs, support family farms, and help build a homegrown energy industry that will have a real impact on our local economies.”
Community solar is an energy solution that empowers anyone with an electric bill to choose affordable, locally generated solar power, encouraging new competition in the energy market, providing more energy choices for consumers, and strengthening the grid for all. Individuals, local businesses, schools, and other subscribers sign up for a certain amount of energy from a project and then receive a credit on their energy bill, providing guaranteed bill savings.
Community solar can exist on ground mounts, alongside existing crops or farmland, on building rooftops, or otherwise unusable land. When on farmland, community solar is installed in a way that preserves that land for future agricultural use, helping to protect family farms.
“Current law is stifling innovation in Missouri’s energy markets. With community solar, legislators have an opportunity to cut through the red tape and introduce another tool in the state’s all-of-the above approach to energy,” said Matthew Hargarten, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA). “This legislation will get shovels in the ground and bring more energy choices, more competition, and more opportunities for Missouri families.”
As a net importer of energy, the legislation would boost the amount of homegrown energy produced within Missouri, reducing how much energy must be imported from neighboring states. It also allows local property owners, farmers, and small businesses to benefit directly, generating income and supporting local economic growth.
Missouri ranks 36th nationwide in installed solar capacity. Nationwide, 22 states and the District of Columbia have adopted policies enabling community solar programs.
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About CCSA: The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) is a national trade association representing over 125 community solar developers, businesses, and nonprofits. Together, we are building the electric grid of the future where every customer has the freedom to support the generation of clean, local solar energy to power their lives. Through legislative and regulatory advocacy, and the support of a diverse coalition — including advocates for competition, clean energy, ratepayers, landowners, farmers, and environmental justice — we enable policies that unlock the potential of distributed energy resources, starting with community solar. For more information, visit https://www.communitysolaraccess.org and follow the group on Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and YouTube.