Oklahoma Solar Panel Buyers Guide (Installation & Efficiency 2023)
By Dan Simms /
In this EcoWatch guide on the cost of solar panels in Oklahoma, you’ll learn:
This guide has helped thousands of Oklahoman homeowners save time and money when going solar in the Sooner State. Let’s get started!
The average cost of solar panels in Oklahoma is $2.62 per watt, which is just below the national average of $2.66 per watt. That might not seem like a huge difference, but when you’re paying for a multi-kilowatt solar power system, those four cents add up.
We’ve found that the average Oklahoma resident installs an 11-kilowatt (kW) solar system for their home. Based on our solar calculator, an 11-kW solar energy system would cost about $28,820 in Oklahoma before applying any tax credits or solar rebates. However, that cost drops to $20,174 after homeowners claim the 30% federal solar tax credit.
Although Oklahoma is not one of the top states for solar, there has been a rise of residential solar panel installations in the Sooner State, with the biggest increase yet in 2021.1 As the costs involved to go solar are decreasing, it’s a little surprising to see Oklahoma still ranked as the 45th state for solar.2 Especially since its neighbor Texas is ranked second.3
Both Oklahoma and Texas have similar subtropical climates and ample sunshine, making it well worth going solar. However, it seems more Texans have bought into the pros of going solar — like energy savings and independence — compared to Oklahomans. Part of the reason for that could be because Texas lawmakers have created more incentives for residents to go solar, while the majority of Oklahoma’s energy production is still coming from fossil fuels or wind power.4
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Watch Below: Oklahoma Is At the Center of a Project Combining Wind and Solar Energy With Battery Storage
Read More: Oklahoma’s Renewable Energy Sources
Based on the company you choose and the size of the solar system needed to power your home, we’ve estimated that the average solar panel installation in Oklahoma costs between $20,900 and $31,500 before applying any tax incentives or solar rebates.
Any homeowner who installs a solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Oklahoma is eligible for the federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows solar adopters to claim 30% of their total solar equipment and installation costs as a tax credit on their next filing. The table below shows the cost of the solar panel system before and after claiming the federal tax credit.
Size of Solar Panel System | Oklahoma Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
8 kW | $20,960 | $14,672 |
9 kW | $23,580 | $16,506 |
10 kW | $26,200 | $18,340 |
11 kW | $28,820 | $20,174 |
12 kW | $31,440 | $22,008 |
13 kW | $34,060 | $23,842 |
14 kW | $36,680 | $25,676 |
Ready to enjoy the benefits of producing your own renewable energy? We’ve examined all of the solar companies in Oklahoma to find the best local installers. Click here to learn more.
See also: Find out how much solar power your roof can produce with our solar calculator
Most homeowners in Oklahoma pay between $20,960 and $36,68 for their solar panel systems before the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), or between $14,672 and $25,676 after the credit is accounted for. The range in pricing is so wide because solar panel costs depend heavily on several factors in Oklahoma, which we’ll discuss briefly below.
The solar equipment you choose to have installed will play a significant role in your all-in cost of going solar.
The panel brand is one of the first things you should consider, as some brands can top $3 per watt, while others are closer to the $2-per-watt range. On an average 11 kW system in Oklahoma, the brand alone can account for more than a $10,000 difference in what you pay for your solar panels.
Of course, cost isn’t the only factor, as higher prices typically come with lengthier and more comprehensive warranties, higher efficiency ratings and better durability.
In an area like Oklahoma, which experiences more tornadoes per year than any other state, durability and warranty coverage are crucial.1 However, the area also experiences 234 sunny days per year, which provides far more available sunlight than the national average of 205 sunny days. As such, most Oklahoma homeowners can afford to choose lower-efficiency panels.
The type of equipment you need installed is also an important factor. The extreme weather in the area leads to relatively frequent power outages, which means solar batteries are a common option. These can add tens of thousands of dollars to your total solar system cost.
You can save some money on your solar panels over time by paying with cash, although this does require the highest up-front cost of any solar financing option. If you instead opt for a solar loan, you’ll pay little to no money up front, but the interest charges will raise the overall price of going solar.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma is one of the few states in the nation that doesn’t offer state-funded or state-backed solar financing options. There are no financing opportunities afforded to low- or moderate-income households, so you’ll have to choose financing through third-party lenders in the area.
Shopping around for the best solar installer that suits your budget is crucial, and it can end up saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars in Oklahoma.
Some of the best local solar companies — including Astrawatt Solar and Solar Power of Oklahoma — tend to have higher prices than national competitors, as they are unable to buy equipment in bulk to save money. However, they might offer lower installation costs to offset the higher equipment prices.
Still, companies like these that provide a variety of affordable solar panel brands — like SolarEdge, LG and Silfab — are more likely to fit into more restrictive budgets than the national like SunPower that serve the area. SunPower installs only Maxeon panels, which are highly efficient and have an outstanding warranty but come at a higher price than most other brands.
In addition to the major cost factors — like the solar equipment and the solar installer you choose — there are some less crucial things to consider when deciding to go solar in Oklahoma. We’ll discuss these additional considerations below.
Remember how we mentioned that Oklahoma (despite being a neighbor) is far behind Texas when it comes to solar energy? Well, one reason for that could be because Oklahoma doesn’t have many incentives for people to go solar (there are several solar incentives in Texas). The state also doesn’t offer sales or property tax exemptions for solar energy, so you will also need to factor in those costs when determining the cost of solar panels in Oklahoma.
Below are some of the financial incentives you can capitalize on to shorten your solar payback period in the Sooner State:
Oklahoma Net Metering Policies | While Oklahoma doesn’t have a mandated net metering policy, the state requires all investor-owned utilities to offer net metering to solar customers.6 Under Oklahoma law, utility companies are required to compensate or credit solar adopters (at the full retail electricity rate) for any excess energy generation. |
Federal Solar Tax Credit | The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows solar adopters to claim 30% of their total solar equipment and installation costs as a tax credit on their next federal filing. The 30% credit is in effect for any solar project purchased through 2032. The credit will decrease to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 before phasing out in 2035. |
While the state of Oklahoma (or any of its utility companies) doesn’t offer any solar rebates, some solar companies or manufacturers often offer them as an incentive for customers. For example, as of March 2022, SunPower is offering a $500 rebate to new solar customers. Don’t be afraid to ask your solar installer what incentives and rebates may be available to you.
The brand of solar panel you choose will affect your total price of going solar, as well as the warranty you get and the power production you’ll experience. Since there are many options to choose from, below we’re showing you a side-by-side look at some of the best solar panel brands in Oklahoma and offer a relative pricing model to help decide which panels suit your budget.
Solar Panel Brand | Average Cost Per Watt ($-$$$$$) |
LG Solar | $$$ |
Canadian Solar | $$ |
JA Solar | $$ |
Mission Solar | $$ |
Panasonic | $$ |
Q Cells | $$ |
REC | $$$ |
Silfab | $$$ |
SunPower | $$$$$ |
Tesla | $$ |
Trina Solar | $$$ |
Want to learn exactly how much solar panels would cost for your Oklahoma home? Follow a link to one of our vetting brands to get a free no-obligation quote specific to your household.
Read More About Going Solar
At EcoWatch, we’re happy to get questions about the process and costs of getting rooftop solar from Oklahoma residents. Below are some of the questions we see most often, along with our responses. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
According to our data, the average cost of solar panels in Oklahoma is $2.62 per watt or $28,820 for the average 11-kW solar system. However, the cost will vary depending on how many solar panels you need to power your home. If you have a smaller home and lower energy needs, you may only need a 5-kW system which would cost $13,100. All of these figures are before factoring in the 30% federal solar tax credit.
Yes, data from Zillow shows that solar boost property value. In fact, homes with solar panels tend to sell for 4.1% more than homes without.8 However, this data is only valid for homeowners that own their solar system, not for those that have solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
We always encourage buying solar panels if you can. We know it’s a big upfront investment, but there are many customization and solar financing options to make buying solar panels more affordable. If you choose to lease solar panels, you won’t be eligible for the federal tax credit and can’t take advantage of your increased property value.
If a company approaches you about free solar panels, don’t fall for the trick. Many companies that advertise free solar panels are just using deceptive marketing techniques to rope you into a solar lease or PPA. Unfortunately, these companies are typically just out to make a sale and are not interested in helping you reap all of the benefits of going solar.
Yes, it’s possible to eliminate your current utility energy costs by going solar in Oklahoma because there is a decent net metering policy in place. However, note that you’ll probably need a system of at least 10-kW to fully offset your power bills in Oklahoma.
While the cost seems to be the thing most people zero in on, it’s not always the most important consideration for people buying solar panels. Remember that cheap isn’t always best if you want to maximize your solar savings, as higher-efficient solar panels will be more expensive, but will produce more energy. You’ll also want to make sure that the solar equipment and installation company you choose for the job offers comprehensive warranties to protect your system in the event of damage.
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