Oklahoma Solar Incentives, Cost & Net Metering (2026)
Written by Aditya Patil · Last updated 2026-09-24
Going solar in Oklahoma comes with unique challenges. With below-average electricity prices and an avoided-cost net metering policy, solar economics here rely heavily on maximizing your self-consumption rather than exporting power to the grid.
$179
Avg. monthly bill
14.33¢/kWh
Avg. rate
Up 10.7% YoY
4.7
Peak sun hours
per day
None
State incentives
Cost of solar in Oklahoma
Currently, LBNL's Tracking the Sun dataset doesn't have enough recent, publicly verifiable data to establish a precise median installed cost per watt specifically for Oklahoma. However, based on Oklahoma's average household consumption of 14,956 kWh/year and its strong solar resource (4.7 peak sun hours), a typical home would need roughly a 9.50 kW system to offset 100% of its annual energy usage.
Solar only, no battery
~37% self-consumption — exporting excess at avoided cost rates limits overall savings
$1,264 / yr savings
$43,094 over 25 years
Solar + battery
~60% self-consumption — storing power avoids selling it back for pennies
$1,585 / yr savings
$54,035 over 25 years
Estimated savings are based on current electricity rates and avoided cost export credits. Actual payback periods will vary based on your final installation price.
Incentives & rebates
Oklahoma does not currently offer any state-level tax credits, rebates, or sales tax exemptions for residential solar installations. Residents must rely primarily on the federal solar tax credit (if eligible) to help reduce upfront costs.
Net metering / export rules
Oklahoma does not mandate traditional retail net metering. Under rules set by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives are required to offer net metering for systems up to 300 kW, but the compensation rate is based on avoided cost.
Avoided cost is roughly the wholesale price a utility pays to generate or purchase power, which typically hovers around 2¢ to 8¢ per kWh in Oklahoma. Because you pay around 14.33¢/kWh for imported power but earn far less for exported power, the financial return for solar-only systems is constrained. Additionally, under a 2014 state law (Senate Bill 1456), utilities are permitted to ask the OCC for authorization to impose fixed capacity charges on customers with distributed generation.
| Policy Type | Avoided Cost |
| System Size Limit | Typically 110-125% of expected peak demand or annual consumption (up to 300 kW) |
| Export Credit Rate | Avoided cost rate (~$0.02 - $0.08 / kWh) |
| Fixed Capacity Charges | Utilities may apply to the OCC for permission to implement fixed charges for distributed generation |
Net excess generation is credited at the utility's avoided cost rate, which typically ranges from $0.02 to $0.08 per kWh, depending on the utility and current wholesale energy prices. This means homeowners earn far less for power sent back to the grid than what they pay for imported power.
Top utilities
| Utility | Residential rate | Customers |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co | 11.78¢/kWh | 710,123 |
| Public Service Co of Oklahoma | 12.73¢/kWh | 501,093 |
| Oklahoma Electric Coop Inc | 12.25¢/kWh | 58,544 |
Batteries & VPP programs
Oklahoma currently does not have widespread active battery rebate programs or Virtual Power Plant (VPP) networks for residential customers.
Estimate your own numbers
Our calculations assume statewide averages, but your actual bills and roof will vary. Use the solar calculator with your own usage and quotes to get a personalized estimate.
FAQ
Does Oklahoma have true net metering?
No, Oklahoma does not offer full retail net metering. Instead, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission requires utilities to credit excess solar production at their avoided cost rate. This is roughly the wholesale rate for electricity, usually ranging from 2¢ to 8¢ per kWh, which is significantly lower than the 14.33¢/kWh you pay for electricity from the grid.
Are there state solar tax credits or incentives in Oklahoma?
Currently, Oklahoma does not offer any state-level solar tax credits, cash rebates, or property/sales tax exemptions. Homeowners will need to rely entirely on the federal solar tax credit (if they purchase their system before it expires) to help reduce the upfront cost.
Is a home battery worth it in Oklahoma?
Because Oklahoma utilities only pay an avoided cost rate (2¢ to 8¢ per kWh) for power you send back to the grid, pairing your solar panels with a battery can make financial sense. A battery lets you store excess power generated during the day and use it at night, allowing you to offset more of your power usage at the full retail rate rather than exporting it for pennies.
Data sources
Last updated 2026-09-24
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Electricity Data Browser — accessed 2026-09-24
- NREL PVWatts — accessed 2026-09-24
- NREL Solar Resource Data — accessed 2026-09-24
- LBNL Tracking the Sun (public data file, host-owned residential systems) — accessed 2026-09-24
Written by Aditya Patil