Tulsa, OK Solar Panels
Solar Power in Tulsa
Thinking about solar energy for your Tulsa home? You’re in the right place. With Oklahoma electricity prices jumping 21% from 2020 to 2024, more homeowners are exploring how solar panels can help control rising energy costs.
This guide covers everything you need to know about solar installation in Tulsa—from understanding your home’s solar potential to finding the right system for your needs.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Tulsa, OK?
Our calculator uses real installation data from Tulsa homes—including Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, and Jenks—to show what solar actually costs in your neighborhood. Get a personalized estimate based on local projects, not national averages.
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You can still access the solar tax credit through Palmetto. Talk to us today to find out how.
Key Takeaways
- Tulsa receives over 220 sunny days annually with 5.2 peak sun hours daily, creating excellent conditions for solar energy production year-round.
- A typical 10 kW system costs around $27,296 and can save homeowners approximately $45,000 over 25 years through reduced electricity bills.
- Net metering programs from OG&E and PSO credit you for excess solar electricity, helping offset installation costs and maximize your savings.
Tulsa Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs is essential when considering solar energy. Let’s look at how rates have changed in Oklahoma and what it means for your budget.
Oklahoma electricity rates have risen from 11.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 12.2 cents in 2024. While this 11% increase is below the national average, it still impacts your monthly energy bills significantly.
Solar panels allow Tulsa homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing reliance on the grid. This means you’re less affected by future rate increases, giving you more predictable energy costs over time.
Over a typical 25-year solar panel lifespan, locking in your energy production costs today protects you from decades of utility rate fluctuations. Many homeowners find this long-term stability valuable for household budgeting.
Price of Energy: Oklahoma vs National Average
Tulsa Area Utility Providers
Understanding electricity costs in Tulsa starts with knowing your utility provider. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) serves most of the area, with residential rates averaging 13.8¢ per kWh in 2023—the latest available data.
PSO’s rates sit above Oklahoma’s state average of 12.10¢ per kWh but remain below the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh. This positioning reflects Oklahoma’s natural gas resources while accounting for infrastructure investments and regional grid maintenance costs.
With electricity rates historically trending upward, locking in predictable energy costs becomes valuable for Tulsa homeowners. Solar panels generate power at a fixed cost over their 25+ year lifespan, providing stability against future utility rate increases.
Tulsa Utilities Electricity Rates
Oklahoma Solar Incentives
Going solar in Tulsa comes with financial perks. Net metering programs through your utility company can help offset installation costs and reduce monthly bills. Check out available solar incentives in Oklahoma below.
Tulsa homeowners have access to net metering through two main utility providers: OG&E and PSO. These programs credit you for excess electricity your solar panels generate and send back to the grid, though program details vary significantly between providers.
Incentive programs change frequently, so research current offerings carefully. Understanding which utility serves your home and their specific net metering terms helps you make informed decisions about your solar investment.
OG&E’s Net Energy Billing Option (NEBO) is a monthly net metering program that allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credit for excess electricity they generate and send back to the grid. Each month, the electricity your solar system exports to the grid is netted against what you consume on a 1:1 basis, but this netting happens separately for different time-of-use (TOU) periods. This means your solar exports during off-peak hours offset your off-peak consumption, and on-peak exports offset on-peak consumption.
If your solar system produces more electricity than you use in a given month, you’ll receive a credit for that excess generation. However, this excess credit is valued at OG&E’s Avoided Energy Cost rate rather than the full retail rate. The credit amount varies by time period: winter months are entirely off-peak, while summer months include an on-peak period from 2-7pm. These TOU credits are tracked separately, so understanding your household’s energy usage patterns throughout the day can help you maximize your savings.
There’s an important limitation to be aware of: if your accumulated credit carries forward for longer than 24 consecutive months or exceeds $100 in total (whichever comes first), either you or OG&E may request a one-time payment to settle that amount. This means you won’t indefinitely accumulate large credits, so it’s beneficial to size your solar system appropriately to match your actual energy needs rather than significantly oversizing it.
PSO’s Net Energy Metering Service (NEMS) allows homeowners with solar panels to offset their electricity costs through a monthly netting system. Each month, the electricity your solar system exports to the grid is credited against what you consume on a 1:1 basis. This means for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you send to the grid, you receive a credit for one kWh of electricity you use that same month. However, if your system produces more electricity than you consume in a given month, any excess generation rolls over as a credit at PSO’s avoided cost rate, which typically ranges from 2-6 cents per kWh (averaging around 4 cents per kWh).
To participate in this program, you must enroll in a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan, which means your electricity rates will vary based on the time of day you use power. It’s important to understand that while same-month production is valued at your full retail rate through the 1:1 netting, any excess credits that carry forward are valued at the much lower avoided cost rate. Additionally, if you accumulate credits that either exceed $100 or carry forward for more than 24 consecutive months (whichever comes first), either you or PSO may request a one-time payment for that amount. This structure works best for homeowners whose solar systems are sized to closely match their monthly electricity consumption rather than significantly exceed it.
Ready to start saving with solar?
Speak with a Palmetto solar expert to find out exactly how much you can save with Oklahoma incentives.
Get a Free QuoteTulsa Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Tulsa enjoys over 220 sunny days annually, with hot summers maximizing production. While spring storms and occasional winter clouds occur, properly designed systems consistently generate strong year-round energy output.
Solar Production in Tulsa by Month
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.6 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for 18 hours AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge 5.4 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 2 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for 15 hours
- or Fully charge 3 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of planting 175 trees
- or Save approximately $4,234 in electricity costs
Want to know exactly how much solar can power your home?
Get a personalized solar analysis based on your actual home, energy usage, and roof characteristics.
Get My Custom EstimateSolar Panel Systems in Tulsa
We’ve mapped every solar installation across Tulsa to help you explore which neighborhoods are embracing clean energy. Click any hexagon to see how many homes in that area have made the switch to solar—you might be surprised by how many of your neighbors have already joined the movement!
Leasing Solar Panels
Tulsa homeowners have solar lease options available through major utility providers including Oklahoma Electric Coop (OEC), Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E), and Public Service of Oklahoma (PSO). With a solar lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount for your system—typically lower than your current electric bill—without the upfront investment costs.
Unlike purchasing a system outright, leasing means Palmetto handles all maintenance, repairs, and monitoring throughout the lease term. You start saving immediately without worrying about system upkeep or performance issues. This approach works well for homeowners who want predictable monthly costs and hassle-free solar energy.
Through Palmetto’s LightReach program, you can access solar savings without the complexity of ownership. Your monthly lease payment stays consistent while you enjoy clean energy and reduced electricity costs from day one.
Go solar without the investment
With LightReach, there are no investment costs to recoup, loan payments to manage, or maintenance needs to take on. As soon as your panels are active, your solar savings are too!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar makes sense in Tulsa. With over 220 sunny days annually and 5.2 peak sun hours daily, the city offers excellent conditions for solar energy production. A typical 10 kW system costs around $27,296 and can save homeowners approximately $45,000 over 25 years.
Oklahoma electricity rates have risen 11% since 2021, making solar an increasingly valuable investment. Net metering programs from OG&E and PSO help offset installation costs by crediting you for excess electricity your panels generate.
Yes, Tulsa has net metering through major utility providers. Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) and Public Service of Oklahoma (PSO) both offer monthly net metering programs that credit you 1:1 for excess solar electricity during the same billing period.
However, any excess credits beyond your monthly consumption roll over at a lower avoided cost rate (typically 2-6 cents per kWh). Both utilities cap accumulated credits at either $100 or 24 months, whichever comes first, before requiring payment.
Yes, solar panels increase home value in Tulsa. Research shows that solar panels increase home value by 4.1% on average. For a median-priced Tulsa home, this translates to approximately $7,000-$10,000 in added value.
Beyond the immediate appraisal boost, homes with solar panels typically sell faster than comparable properties. Buyers appreciate the lower utility bills and predictable energy costs that come with an existing solar system.
Solar panel installation costs in Tulsa vary by home size. A typical 10 kW system costs around $27,296, with prices ranging from $20,256 for smaller homes to $35,795 for larger properties.
These prices reflect the full system cost at an average rate of $2.75-$2.91 per watt. Your actual cost depends on your home’s energy needs, roof characteristics, and the specific equipment selected for your installation.
Yes, solar is financially worth it in Tulsa. A typical 10 kW system costs around $27,296 and saves approximately $45,000 over 25 years through reduced electricity bills. With a payback period of about 17 years, you’ll enjoy nearly a decade of free electricity after breaking even.
Oklahoma electricity rates have risen 11% since 2021, making solar increasingly valuable for long-term savings. Net metering programs from OG&E and PSO further improve returns by crediting excess generation at retail rates during the same billing period.
At Palmetto Solar, we bring a national presence with local expertise to every Tulsa installation. We offer some of the industry’s most flexible financing options, making solar accessible regardless of your budget or credit situation.
Our extensive install network ensures quality workmanship, while our commitment to customer education means you’ll understand every step of your solar journey. From initial consultation through system activation, we focus on making the transition to clean energy straightforward and rewarding for Tulsa homeowners.