Is solar worth it in Oklahoma?
For a typical Oklahoma home in 2026, solar is a close call: about a 14.4-year payback and $21,307 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 14.4 yrs7.5 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 13.7¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,515kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- ~18%Avoided-cost export credit
The numbers for a typical Oklahoma home
| Electricity use | 1,047 kWh a month (Oklahoma average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 7.5 kW, producing 11,360 kWh a year (90% of use) |
| Price | $22,250 at about $3.00/W |
| First-year savings | $1,514 |
| Payback | 14.4 years |
| 25-year net | $21,307 (5.4% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 2.7% a year, from Oklahoma's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity is cheap: 13.7¢ per kWh, 24% below the U.S. average (18.0¢), so each solar kWh saves less.
- Exported solar is typically credited at about 18% of retail, so systems pay best when sized for what you use yourself.
- A typical system here produces about 1,515 kWh per kW per year (ranked #10 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in Oklahoma
Avoided-cost export credit. Oklahoma requires net metering, but only your same-month usage is offset at retail. Any excess left at the end of the billing period is bought at the utility's avoided cost, typically just a few cents per kWh.
Net excess in a billing period purchased at the utility's avoided energy cost, credited on the next bill.
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: No retail kWh rollover; excess paid/credited at avoided cost on next bill.
- System size limit: 300 kW
- Fixed charges: 2014 law (SB 1456) allows utilities to propose separate rates for DG customers; no residential DG surcharge currently known for OG&E/PSO.
- Last major change: 17 O.S. 156 and OAC 165:40-9; SB 1456 (2014). No major recent change found.
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) | Avoided-cost export credit | Net excess credited at avoided cost; exact current rate not verified. |
| Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO/AEP) | Avoided-cost export credit | Net excess at avoided cost; third-party sources cite a 25 kW residential limit (unverified). |
Solar incentives in Oklahoma
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
We didn't find active statewide solar incentives in Oklahoma. Check with your utility for local rebates.
What solar costs in Oklahoma
A fair cash price is around $3.00 per watt before incentives. For the 7.5 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $19,100 to $27,000; smaller systems cost more per watt.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 18,196
- Share of homes
- 0.9%
- Residential solar capacity
- 139 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +5.9%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in Oklahoma
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OG&E | 716,295 | 12.9¢ | 1,045 kWh/mo | Close call |
| PSO (Public Service Co. of Oklahoma) | 506,245 | 14.8¢ | 1,020 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Oklahoma Electric Cooperative | 59,539 | 13.4¢ | 1,256 kWh/mo | Close call |
| City of Edmond | 39,944 | 11.1¢ | 1,130 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Northeast Oklahoma Electric | 38,163 | 14.3¢ | 1,131 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative | 35,514 | 12.9¢ | 1,384 kWh/mo | Close call |
| East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative | 33,788 | 14.1¢ | 1,141 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Lake Region Electric Cooperative | 25,042 | 13.5¢ | 1,183 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative | 24,981 | 13.8¢ | 1,281 kWh/mo | Close call |
| CKenergy Electric Cooperative | 22,775 | 14.3¢ | 994 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Choctaw Electric Cooperative | 21,697 | 14.2¢ | 1,204 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Kiamichi Electric Cooperative | 20,997 | 14.5¢ | 1,097 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Central Rural Electric Cooperative | 20,052 | 13.4¢ | 1,499 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Cotton Electric Cooperative | 19,906 | 13.2¢ | 1,285 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Stillwater Utilities Authority | 19,604 | 14.3¢ | 880 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative | 17,740 | 16.3¢ | 1,160 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Red River Valley Rrl Electric Association | 16,152 | 12.4¢ | 1,099 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Southeastern Electric Cooperative | 15,575 | 12.8¢ | 1,220 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Cimarron Electric Cooperative | 15,541 | 13.0¢ | 981 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc (OK) | 15,072 | 16.6¢ | 700 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Indian Electric Cooperative | 14,832 | 13.9¢ | 1,306 kWh/mo | Close call |
| People's Electric Cooperative | 14,774 | 16.2¢ | 1,388 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| City of Ponca City | 13,907 | 13.0¢ | 885 kWh/mo | Close call |
| City of Claremore | 12,012 | 14.2¢ | 929 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Ozarks Electric Cooperative | 11,873 | 14.5¢ | 1,018 kWh/mo | Close call |
Solar by city in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City15.1-yr payback · Close call
- Tulsa13.8-yr payback · Close call
- Norman15.3-yr payback · Close call
- Broken Arrow13.8-yr payback · Close call
- Edmond15.1-yr payback · Close call
- Lawton13.1-yr payback · Worth it
- Moore15.2-yr payback · Close call
- Midwest City15.1-yr payback · Close call
- Enid14.9-yr payback · Close call
- Stillwater15.1-yr payback · Close call
- Owasso13.8-yr payback · Close call
- Bartlesville13.7-yr payback · Close call
- Muskogee15.8-yr payback · Close call
- Shawnee15.5-yr payback · Close call
- Bixby15.7-yr payback · Close call
- Jenks13.6-yr payback · Close call
- Yukon15-yr payback · Close call
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. Electrical contractor license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB). Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Solar easements recognized (60 O.S. 201.1 et seq.); no statewide restriction on HOA solar bans.
- Community solar. No statewide program; limited utility offerings (e.g., some co-op community solar).
Questions about solar in Oklahoma
Is solar worth it in Oklahoma in 2026?
For a typical Oklahoma home, solar is a close call. A 7.5 kW system costing about $22,250 after state incentives saves about $1,514 in the first year and pays back in about 14.4 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in Oklahoma?
A reasonable cash price is around $3.00 per watt before incentives, or roughly $19,100 to $27,000 for a 7.5 kW system.
Does Oklahoma have net metering?
Oklahoma requires net metering, but only your same-month usage is offset at retail. Any excess left at the end of the billing period is bought at the utility's avoided cost, typically just a few cents per kWh.
Is there a solar tax credit in Oklahoma?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Oklahoma does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of.
How do I check a solar installer's license in Oklahoma?
Electrical contractor license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB).. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://cib.ok.gov/.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include oklahoma.gov, energysage.com. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.