Adair County, MO — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

None codified. No county-specific solar ordinance confirmed.

Adair County Commission: CUP/SUP in Agricultural district.

Mixed — university presence; conservative rural identity

NE Missouri agricultural; Kirksville (Truman State U.) area; active solar development; no state preemption

Stable

No statewide siting authority or preemption for utility-scale solar — full local control at county level. County CUP/SUP or special use process governs all utility-scale solar regardless of size. No minimum threshold above which state takes jurisdiction. County boards and planning commissions have full authority. Western MO (Kansas City area) in SPP territory; eastern and central MO in MISO territory — see Interconnection Zone column for per-county designation. Active local opposition and restrictive ordinances in rural counties 2020–2024.

Missouri has no Renewable Portfolio Standard — legislature has repeatedly declined to enact one. Net metering: available under MO PSC Order (Ameren Missouri, Evergy — limited program). Property tax exemption for solar equipment: available. Sales tax exemption: solar equipment purchases exempt under §144.020.1(10). New MO solar property tax structure (2025): fixed $2,500/MW for projects placed in service Aug 28 2025+. CRITICAL: MO SB 849 statewide solar moratorium (passed Senate Commerce Committee Feb 10 2026; Gov. Kehoe supports; emergency clause = immediate effect upon signing) would halt all new and current solar construction through Dec 31 2027. As of Mar 23 2026: pending full Senate/House vote. Utility: Ameren Missouri serves central/eastern MO; Evergy Kansas City serves western MO; multiple rural electric cooperatives serve agricultural areas.

Morris Solar (AES / Applied Energy Services) | ~400 MW | ~1,100 acres east of State Hwy 3 near Troy Mills | Approved 2022; Construction completed 2025 | Largest solar farm in Missouri

No confirmed MO PSC or county denials for Adair County solar projects. County commission supportive of AES project.org and MO PSC psc.mo.gov | ⚠ CRITICAL LEGISLATIVE RISK: MO SB 849 (Sen. O'Laughlin) would impose IMMEDIATE statewide moratorium on ALL new AND current solar construction through Dec 31 2027 (or until DNR rules finalized). Passed Senate Commerce Committee Feb 10 2026 with "Do Pass" vote. Gov. Kehoe publicly supports it (Jan 13 2026 State of State address). Emergency clause = effective immediately upon signing. Full Senate floor vote and House vote pending as of Mar 23 2026. If enacted, all in-progress construction halts immediately. Monitor: senate.mo.gov/26info/pdf-bill/intro/SB849.pdf