Carter County, MO — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

None codified. No county-specific solar ordinance confirmed.

Carter County Commission: CUP/SUP in Agricultural district.

Rural Ozark — forested; very limited solar opportunity

SE Missouri; Ozark highlands; Van Buren area; very rural/forested; very limited solar land; local CUP

Worsening

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.

No confirmed utility-scale solar projects on public record as of Mar 2026.

No confirmed Missouri PSC denials for Carter County. SB 849 moratorium if signed would block new utility-scale solar statewide.