If you‘re an Oklahoma homeowner tired of costly electricity bills, you may wonder if rooftop solar panels can trim those pesky utilities costs. Our comprehensive solar guide for Oklahoma residents explains everything you need to know: from system costs and savings estimates to policy incentives and quality installer options. Read on to see if now is the time to harness the Sooner State‘s abundant sunlight!
Oklahoma Trails Behind in Solar Energy Adoption
Despite Oklahoma‘s great solar resource potential, solar energy capacity grows slowly across the state. As of 2021, Oklahoma contained just 130 megawatts (MW) of solar energy. For comparison, that‘s 20 times less total solar than leading state California! See the table below for how Oklahoma compares regionally and nationally:
| State | 2021 Solar Capacity (MW) | National Capacity Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| California | 30,000 | 1 |
| Texas | 7,907 | 5 |
| Missouri | 386 | 31 |
| New Mexico | 1,799 | 14 |
| Kansas | 269 | 33 |
| Arkansas | 100 | 39 |
| Oklahoma | 130 | 43 |
(Source: SEIA Solar Industry Data)
Further demonstrating Oklahoma‘s solar struggles, only 0.2% the state‘s electricity comes from solar energy. That minimal solar contribution ranks behind every neighboring state besides Arkansas.
However, analysts expect Oklahoma solar to grow over 180% statewide over the next 5 years. That tripled capacity will help solar gain greater traction across the Sooner State grid.
Why Oklahoma Homeowners Go Solar
So if Oklahoma solar languishes well behind leading states, why do residents still choose to install panels? Two compelling reasons make the investment worthwhile:
1. High Electricity Bills – Oklahoma‘s hot summers coupled with widespread electric AC usage leads households to face steep monthly power bills.
2. Rising Electricity Rates – Oklahoma electricity prices have ticked up nearly 20% over the last 10 years. Rates expected to rise another 2-3% annually going forward.
That combination of high energy consumption and increasing utility costs provides the economic backdrop for solar panels to deliver substantial long-term savings to Oklahoma homeowners.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Oklahoma?
According to 2021 estimates, solar panels in Oklahoma cost around $2.62 per Watt – about 8% above the national average solar panel system cost. For a typical 6,000 Watt (6kW) rooftop system, that translates to a pre-incentive price of approximately $15,720.
Of course, as with any major home improvement project, many factors can raise or lower your ultimate solar panel system price.
Solar Panel System Cost Factors:
- System size
- Panel efficiency
- Mounting needs
- Roof type/accessibility
- Equipment/hardware needs
- Distance to install site
Fortunately the 26% federal solar tax credit offers a very generous incentive to Oklahoma homeowners going solar. The ITC provides a credit for 26% of your full solar panel system cost, dropping a $15,720 system down to $11,632 after claiming the solar credit next tax year.
Example 6kW Solar Panel System in Oklahoma
| System Summary | |
|---|---|
| System Size | 6 kW |
| Avg Cost per Watt | $2.62/Watt |
| Gross System Cost | $15,720 |
| Federal Solar tax credit (26%) | -$4,088 |
| Net Cost after ITC | $11,632 |
The table above summarizes the out-of-pocket costs for a common 6,000 Watt solar panel system in Oklahoma after leveraging the 26% federal solar tax credit.
Oklahoma Electricity Bill Savings with Solar Panels
The incentives might be less robust than other states, but Oklahoma‘s high electricity consumption and rising rates still enable solar panels to deliver substantial long-term savings through reduced utility bills.
Oklahoma households consume over 35 kWh of electricity per day on average – 43% higher than the national median. When properly sized, a solar array in Oklahoma often needs to supply a household closer to 6kW per daylight hour to significantly offset usage.
Given a $15,720 system price and Oklahoma‘s average residential electricity rate of $0.0984/kWh, a 6kW solar panel system pays for itself in electricity savings after only 9 years.
And because solar panels keep producing free renewable energy for a total lifespan of 25+ years, that same system goes on to provide over $15,000 in extra energy savings over the remaining 15 years!
See the electricity bill savings projections below for a 6kW solar installation in Oklahoma:
| Oklahoma Solar Panel Savings | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Years to Payback Initial Solar Costs | 9 years |
| Additional Energy Savings (Years 10-25) | $15,613 |
| Total 25 Year Solar Panel Savings | $23,333 |
Top Solar Panel Installers in Oklahoma
Installing solar panels requires significant expertise connecting modules to your home‘s electrical system. That means properly evaluating reputable local solar companies before moving forward with the best Oklahoma solar installer for your situation.
We recommend Oklahoma homeowners solicit free quotes from one of the state‘s top solar power companies:
IntegrateSun Solar
Our top choice IntegrateSun brings over 15 years of solar expertise to Oklahoma after serving Texas homeowners since 2006. With knowledgeable system designers and friendly install teams, IntegrateSun simplifies your transition to solar energy.
Why Choose IntegrateSun?
✅ Builder-level system warranties
✅ High quality equipment (Enphase, SolarEdge, LG, etc)
✅ Clean system aesthetics
Starry Solar
Affordable local installer Starry Solar proves you don‘t need to sacrifice quality or service to go solar in Oklahoma. Unlike national firms, Starry provides customized system plans focused on seamless solar integration for Oklahoma homeowners.
Why Choose Starry Solar?
✅ Design/engineering consultants tailor systems to each home
✅ Bi-annual maintenance cleans and tune-ups
✅ LG & SolarEdge equipment come standard
No matter if you choose IntegrateSun, Starry Solar or another qualified Oklahoma solar company, be sure to inquire about their licensing, insurance, equipment quality, production guarantees and warranties before contracting.
Low Incentives Remains a Hurdle for Oklahoma Solar
While the savings potential from Oklahoma solar installations keeps growing more appealing, the state-level policy support still lags behind solar leaders. A few of the missing policies slowing Oklahoma solar adoption include:
- No renewable portfolio standard requiring utilities to add renewable energy
- Net metering policies to compensate homeowners fairly for excess solar power sent to the grid
- Additional state solar incentives like rebates, grants and tax credits
However, proposed legislation could soon spur support for rooftop solar panels in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Solar Access Act would prevent homeowner associations from restricting solar installations without reasonable justification. If passed, HOAs must accommodate requests to install solar energy equipment.
Additionally, as neighboring states consider implementing solar mandates, added pressure could mount for Oklahoma lawmakers provide greater regulatory support. With system costs projected to fall another 40% by 2035, solar energy economics will continue enhancing in the state either way.
Financing Options for Oklahoma Solar Panels
Of course, even with ample savings opportunities, over $15,000 remains a steep price tag for many Oklahoma families. Luckily, various solar financing options exist to lower borrowing costs so households can access those long-term solar savings.
Popular Oklahoma Solar Financing Avenues
- Secured solar loans (~5% APR)
- PACE financing programs
- FHA Title I solar loans
- EnergySage solar marketplace (compares lender offers)
Additionally, Oklahoma residents can reduces their out-of-pocket solar costs through Do-It-Yourself (DIY) installations, buying used panels, or even collecting federal grants. However, be aware that DIY and used equipment routes often forfeit production guarantees, extended warranties and access to tax credits.
Key Takeaways
- Lagging adoption but soaring projected growth
- High energy bills & rising electric rates
- $15K+ average system cost with ~10 year payoff
- 25+ years lifetime savings of $23K+
- Quality local & out-of-state installer options
- Low state support but helpful federal incentives
Ready to run the numbers on solar panels for your Oklahoma home? Reputable local solar installers like IntegrateSun and Starry Solar provide free assessments to help determined system sizing, pricing and financing options customized for your household.
