Is Solar Worth It in Oklahoma?

What to consider before going solar in Oklahoma

We’ve talked to thousands of solar customers who have already gone through the installation process. It’s generally worth it if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills, helping the environment and gaining energy independence. But it doesn’t work out for everyone. Here’s what to consider before making the switch.

1. How much will it cost upfront?

The size of your system is one of the biggest solar cost factors in Oklahoma. A typical Oklahoma household needs about a 7 kW system, which costs $16,520 on average. Depending on your energy needs, you might need a smaller or larger system.

Most installers set the price according to the system’s wattage, with a typical cost between $2.50 and $5 per watt. “Cost per watt” is a little like looking at the price per square foot when you buy a house. It helps you compare the value of solar energy systems in different sizes. In Oklahoma, the average cost per watt is about $2.36.

Going solar is like buying a car. You could pay cash, but a lot of people finance or lease with minimal upfront costs.

Average solar panel costs by system size in Oklahoma

How to estimate what system size you need

Solar storage batteries cost $7,000 to $18,000.

First, look at your electric bill. It should say how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you used last year. Then, divide that number by 1,200 to estimate your system size in kilowatts (kW).

For example, if you used 12,000 kWh of electricity last year, you would need a 10-kW system. If you used 10,800 kWh, you would need a 9-kW system.

Consider battery storage

Solar panels only generate electricity while the sun is shining. A battery lets you store energy for later use, like at night or during a power outage.

It’s worth considering if you expect your utility company to keep raising rates (and it’s essential if you want real energy independence).

The biggest downside to a solar battery is the price. Adding one can increase your total system costs by $7,000 to $18,000.

2. How much will I save over time? ​​

Over 25 years, the average Oklahoma homeowner with solar panels is estimated to avoid $29,807 in total utility costs. That projected amount could fluctuate based on future electricity rates, your energy use and system performance. By going solar now, you’re also protecting yourself from future rate increases.

Monthly costs: solar payments vs. savings

Think of going solar in terms of your monthly costs. Given rising energy costs in Oklahoma and elsewhere, financing solar panels makes sense as long as your monthly loan payment is less than what you would be paying the utility company.

3. Is my house a good candidate for solar panels?

Going solar ends up being worth it for many homeowners as long as their house is a good candidate to support a solar panel installation. Here’s what to think about before you commit:

• How old are your appliances? The first step is to ensure that your electrical loads are as small as possible. For instance, if you have an older refrigerator or air conditioning unit, it’s smart to upgrade those before investing in solar panels.
• What is the size and angle of your roof? Solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs. North-facing roofs are generally less ideal, especially if those roofs have a high pitch. If the only place you can install is a north-facing roof with a 30-degree pitch, your costs will likely go up by 30% to 40%.
• What is the condition of your roof? If you have to replace your roof, do that before you install solar panels. Solar panels last 25 to 30 years, so you want your roof to last just as long. Otherwise, it could cost thousands to remove the panels, fix your roof and reinstall the panels again.

We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel system can produce over a year on your house.

4. How long will I stay in my house?

It takes years for electric bill savings to offset the initial cost — about 15.1 years on average in Oklahoma. If you sell your house and move before then, you might not fully realize the financial benefits of your solar investment.

Solar panels last 25 to 30 years.

According to Zillow, solar panels might add 4.1% to your home’s value. But don’t get solar panels just because you want to sell your house soon. Other home improvements, like remodeling the bathroom or kitchen, have a more predictable short-term return on investment.

Let’s say you spend $25,000 installing solar panels on a $400,000 house. It might sell for $16,400 more in a few years, but you miss out on that $29,807 in total avoided utility costs over 25 years.

5. Am I eligible for any financial incentives?

Many states offer rebates, tax credits or other financial incentives that help reduce the upfront cost of installing solar panels. Oklahoma is not one of them. In fact, there are currently no statewide incentives in Oklahoma to go solar.

The federal solar tax credit covered 30% of qualifying residential solar costs for systems placed in service through Dec. 31, 2025. For systems placed in service after that date, the credit is no longer available. Because of this, Oklahoma homeowners generally pay the full cost of solar installation.

What to know about net metering in Oklahoma

Net metering allows Oklahoma homeowners to earn credits for surplus solar electricity sent to the grid. State law allows qualifying residential systems up to 300 kW, though some utilities and cooperatives may impose additional limits, such as capping system size at 125% of your peak usage. Here’s how it works in practice:

1. Your home’s meter tracks the electricity you pull from the grid and any excess electricity your system sends back.
2. At the end of each billing period, your utility company looks at whether your system put more electricity into the grid than you pulled out.
3. If you put back more than you used, you get a credit towards next month's bill for the extra amount. If you used more than your system produced, you only pay the utility company for that additional amount.

Unused credits don’t always carry over indefinitely. Many utilities allow credits to roll over for a limited time but reset them annually. Any remaining credits at that point may expire.

Retail rate vs. avoided-cost rate

The biggest catch is how excess energy is valued. During the billing cycle, solar energy you use yourself — or credits you use within that same cycle — can effectively offset your bill at the retail rate.

However, if you still have extra energy at the end of the billing period, that surplus may be credited at the utility’s avoided-cost rate, which is typically much lower than what you pay for electricity.

Because of these rules, the goal in Oklahoma usually isn’t to produce as much energy as possible. Instead, it’s best to size your system to cover most or all of your own electricity use — but not far more than that. Generating a small surplus can help, but consistently overproducing electricity often leads to lower returns.

Real-world example

Lowell in Oklahoma City installed 13 solar panels in 2023. “My electric bill before was on average $125 a month, but now, it is always about $14.97,” they wrote in a review. “For January, February, March, and April, I over produced about 600 kilowatts, and here in Oklahoma, they give you a credit. But it's been very cloudy this month. So we're producing less because of the clouds. But I have all this credit, so it’ll be carried over into this month. So I still won’t have a bill.”

​​Pros and cons of solar panels in Oklahoma

Oklahoma might not be the best state for going solar, but it still ends up being worth it for some residents. It has a good climate for solar panels. However, you can expect some seasonal fluctuation in how much energy they can produce.

Solar companies in Oklahoma

People have mixed experiences with solar companies in Oklahoma. In the best-case scenario, it’s easy to make the switch and you’re happy with the system’s performance. In the worst-case scenario, you end up paying thousands for mid-tier solar equipment from a company with poor customer service and no follow-up or support.

A common complaint is related to pushy sales reps who make promises that can’t be delivered.

One resident, Wendy in Lawton, told us about a negative experience with dishonest sales practices, equipment issues and lack of assistance from the solar company she hired. There aren’t any Oklahoma-specific requirements, or a state-maintained database of solar contractors for consumers.

That’s why it’s so important to thoroughly research and verify claims made by sales teams before making a decision.

Compare local solar companies

A good solar company helps you navigate local incentives, permitting and net metering policies. Compare our picks for the top solar companies in Oklahoma to learn more.

FAQ

Bottom line: Is going solar worth it for you?

Given rising energy costs in Oklahoma and elsewhere, financing solar panels makes sense as long as your monthly loan payment is less than what you would be paying the utility company anyway. Solar panels essentially generate free electricity once the initial installation costs are paid.

Solar costs vs. savings: Oklahoma and nearby states