As a long-time Oklahoma resident with a technology background, I understand the struggle of high electricity bills. Luckily, our state‘s abundant sunshine makes solar power a great option to curb costs.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll equip you with everything to evaluate if home solar in Oklahoma is right for your household.
The Current Landscape of Solar Power in Oklahoma
With over 100MW of installed capacity, solar energy is growing in Oklahoma – just at a slower pace than most states. Only 1.2% of our electricity comes from the sun compared to the 5% national average.
But why has Oklahoma lagged behind in adopting this innovative technology?
Limited Policy Support
Unlike our neighbors, Oklahoma offers very few financial incentives or policy initiatives to drive solar adoption. No sales tax exemptions, no rebate programs, and no net metering to sell excess power back to the grid.
Low Public Engagement
Without proper legislation, most Oklahoma residents remain unaware of solar energy‘s money-saving potential or available options. There‘s less public support to motivate leaders to enact more pro-solar measures.
Influential Lobbying
The oil and gas industry continues holding sway in the state capitol, slowing progress on clean energy policies that could threaten their bottom line.
But the winds of change are starting to blow. Groups like the Oklahoma Solar Energy Society pressure lawmakers to open our energy market. As install costs fall yearly, economics alone will make switching to solar more enticing even without added incentives.
So should you consider adding a solar array in the current landscape?
You bet! Here‘s why…
Solar Panels Can Offset Your High Energy Bills
As an Oklahoma resident, you likely spend over $1,561 per year ($130 monthly) powering your home. With air conditioning demands in the hot summers, we use 35.9 kWh of electricity daily – 36% higher than the U.S. average!
That‘s $18,732 spent on energy bills over the 12-year lifespan of older AC units. Pair your AC upgrade with solar panels, and you can put some of that capital towards an investment that pays you back rather than a decaying appliance sucking up more electricity.
Over 25 years, experts predict solar systems in Oklahoma could provide over $23,000 in electricity bill savings.
Use this table to compare how your annual energy costs measure up:
| Description | Your Home | OK Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Electricity Bill | $???? | $1,561 | $1,249 |
| Monthly Electricity Bill | $???? | $130 | $104 |
| Daily Electricity Usage | ???? kWh | 35.9 kWh | 19.6 kWh |
Costs and usage amounts will vary based on location, household size, appliances, and conservation habits
With some quick mental math, you can see even if your costs fall below average, solar panels in Oklahoma can lead to thousands in long-term savings while protecting you from rising utility rates.
Calculating Your Solar Panel System Size & Costs
Now that you know the potential for energy bill offsets, what is the actual cost to install solar panels in Oklahoma?
While the statewide average is $2.62 per Watt, your exact system cost depends on:
Your Size Requirement: Customized for your location‘s sunlight hours and household‘s daily usage
Equipment Efficiency: More efficient panels produce more watts per unit, but cost more
Quality & Services: Installation process, warranties protections, and maintenance
Let‘s use the average 6 kilowatt (6,000 Watt) system as an example:
- 6,000 Watts x $2.62 per Watt Cost = $15,720 System Price
Accounting for all equipment, permits, labor, and the 30% Federal Tax Credit incentive, a professional installation of an appropriately-sized system for an average home would likely fall between $10,000 – $14,000 out of pocket.
Of course, your specific costs may fall outside that range depending on your home‘s unique specifications. Quality installers like IntegrateSun or Starry Solar have experts evaluate your energy profile before proposing solar solutions.
Reach out to them orUtilize their website calculators get a free quote customized with your details rather than relying on rough statewide estimates.
Federal Tax Credits & Limited Local Incentives
The main solar incentive available in Oklahoma is the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit applied as a credit on your next tax return.
- For a $15,000 solar installation, that equals a $4,500 credit off the system costs
Now if only Oklahoma offered some local incentives too…
Sadly, we have very few state-level programs compared to our neighbors like Colorado or Texas. No cash rebates, no sales tax exemptions on equipment, and no property tax breaks for adding home solar improvements.
And our lack of net metering policy means you cannot sell excess solar energy back to the grid for additional cost savings like most states allow.
While the lack of extra incentives keeps Oklahoma lagging as one of the most restrictive solar states, the cost savings and federal tax credit alone still make panels a wise long-term investment for your home.
And who knows – with groups like the Oklahoma Solar Energy Society pushing for better policies, we could see changes in coming years to unlock solar power‘s full potential across the Sooner State.
Variables That Impact Your Return on Investment
Now that you understand the incentives available, what variables impact how quickly solar panels in Oklahoma can pay themselves off through electricity savings?
Solar System Size – Right-sizing your array for maximum offset of your household‘s unique demands accelerates payoff timeline. Solar installers like Starry Solar specialize in custom plans tailored to each home‘s specifications.
Sunlight Availability – Oklahoma averages 5.59 peak sun hours per day. More sunlight equals more solar electricity generated. Some parts of the state like the Panhandle see longer sunny days than southeastern cities.
Electricity Rates – The higher the utility rates you‘re offsetting every month, the faster your solar investment earns a return through bill savings. Oklahoma‘s electric costs are 36% higher than U.S. averages.
Equipment Efficiency – More efficient solar panels and inverters convert more of the sun‘s energy, but often carry higher purchase prices. Most homeowners balance cost and efficiency for optimal returns.
System & Component Lifespans – While solar panels can operate for 25+ years, inverters and other gear may need replacement. Factor end-of-life costs into the investment payoff timeline.
Electric Usage Habits – Conserving energy through LED bulbs, insulation, smart devices will make your solar system offset a greater portion of your electricity needs and maximize savings.
With all these working in your favor as an Oklahoma resident, most households see payoff periods around 8-15 years before realizing 10-20 years of pure profit from their panels via utility savings.
Reach out to installers like IntegrateSun for custom solar quotes documenting exactly how long your system will take to pay itself off based on your home‘s specifics.
Solar Adoption Rates Continue Climbing Each Year
Oklahoma has been slow to adopt solar technology compared to other states. But each year, installation rates climb thanks to falling equipment prices.
In fact, over the last five years Oklahoma saw a 373% growth in solar – the 7th highest state-over-state increase nationwide.
And America as a whole continues accelerating solar adoption:
- There are now over 107 gigawatts of solar capacity installed nationally
- 3.8 million U.S. homes are now powered by solar energy
- Experts project the domestic solar industry will expand to provide 20% of national electricity generation by 2050
As prices fall and momentum builds, Oklahoma must get on board supporting this booming technology or risk being left even further behind in the emerging renewable energy economy.
The Solar Energy Society forecasts that pro-solar policy advances could create 13,000 new solar jobs here in Oklahoma in coming years. So if you don‘t install panels on your own home, there may be career opportunities in surging field.
The bottom line is that solar energy – with or without extra state incentives – makes economic sense for most Oklahoma households. By understanding precisely how the numbers play out for your home using quotes from reputable area solar installers, you can evaluate if and when making the switch makes will deliver savings.
Let‘s Recap the Key Takeaways…
- With ample sunshine and high electric bills, Oklahoma homes can offset significant energy costs by adding solar panels
- Limited state incentives exist currently, but federal tax credits and long-term power bill savings still make solar a wise investment
- Carefully calculated system sizing and choosing efficient equipment customized for your home is key to maximizing the return on your solar investment over the 25-year system lifespan
- By going solar, you‘ll take control over your energy source while hedging against rising electricity rates for decades to come
Are you currently considering solar panels or have any other questions on home solar in Oklahoma? As an energy industry professional living here in the state, I‘m always glad to help a neighbor take control of their power needs. Feel free to reach out any time!
