Tulsa, OK Solar Panels
Solar Power in Tulsa
Solar installation in Tulsa is growing — and for good reason. Oklahoma electricity prices have risen 21% between 2020 and 2024, and many Tulsa homeowners are looking at solar as a practical way to get ahead of rising energy costs.
Whether you’re just getting started or ready to learn more, this guide covers everything you need to know about solar panels for your home — from how the installation process works to what makes Tulsa a smart place to go solar.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Tulsa, OK?
Based on real solar installations across Tulsa and surrounding communities — from Broken Arrow and Owasso to Jenks and Bixby — this calculator uses local data to give you an honest estimate of what solar could cost for your home.
System
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Key Takeaways
- Tulsa gets 5.2 peak sun hours per day — giving homeowners strong solar potential and an average estimated savings of ~$45,000 over 25 years.
- Oklahoma electricity prices have risen 21% since 2020 — solar can help Tulsa homeowners reduce their reliance on the grid and protect against future rate increases.
- Tulsa homeowners can go solar with no upfront cost through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — starting as low as $79/month with maintenance and a 90% production guarantee included.
Tulsa Electricity Prices
Electricity costs in Tulsa have been climbing. Here’s what that means for Oklahoma homeowners — and what you can do about it.
Oklahoma electricity rates rose from 11.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 12.2 cents per kWh in 2024 — an increase of nearly 11%. Over that same period, the national average climbed even faster, from 13.7 to 16.5 cents per kWh.
Solar panels allow Tulsa homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing how much they rely on the grid. When your system produces power, you’re drawing less from your utility — which can meaningfully offset the impact of rising electricity rates.
Because solar systems typically last 25 years or more, the long-term value compounds over time. As grid electricity costs continue to rise, homeowners with solar are increasingly insulated from those increases — making solar a practical hedge against future rate hikes.
Price of Energy: Oklahoma vs National Average
Tulsa Area Utility Providers
PSO (Public Service Company of Oklahoma) is the primary electric utility serving Tulsa. Based on the most recent available data from 2023, PSO’s average residential rate was 13.8¢ per kWh.
That rate sits below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh — but above Oklahoma’s state average of 12.10¢ per kWh. Tulsa homeowners pay more than most Oklahomans, even if less than the national norm.
Electricity rates can change over time. For homeowners who want more predictability in their energy costs, solar can help offset how much electricity you draw from the grid — and reduce your exposure to future rate changes.
Tulsa Utilities Electricity Rates
Oklahoma Solar Incentives
Tulsa homeowners have access to several solar incentives in Oklahoma that can help reduce the upfront and long-term costs of going solar.
Oklahoma offers a property tax exemption on added home value from solar, net metering credits for excess energy sent to the grid, the ability to earn money through Renewable Energy Certificates, and a community group-purchasing program through Solarize Oklahoma City.
Note: As of 2026, the federal residential solar tax credit is no longer available. State and local incentives still apply. With a solar lease through Palmetto’s LightReach program, Palmetto claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit and passes savings along through lower monthly payments, which can simplify the incentive process for homeowners.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Property Tax Exemption for Solar Energy Systems | Property Tax Exemption | Oklahoma provides a 100% property tax exemption on the added home value from a solar energy system installation, ensuring your property tax bill does not increase. | Learn More |
| Oklahoma Net Metering / Net Billing Program | Net Metering | Oklahoma requires investor-owned utilities to offer net metering for solar systems up to 300 kW, crediting customers for excess electricity sent to the grid with bill credits that roll over indefinitely. | Learn More |
| Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) — North American Renewables Registry | SREC | Oklahoma solar system owners may generate and sell Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) through the North American Renewables Registry, potentially earning $300–$1,000 annually for a 10 kW system. | Learn More |
Oklahoma law provides a 100% property tax exemption for the value added to a home by a solar energy system. Because solar panels can meaningfully increase your home’s assessed value, this exemption ensures that your annual property tax bill will not rise as a result of your installation — a benefit that compounds over the 25+ year lifespan of a typical solar system.
This exemption applies to residential homeowners in Tulsa who install a qualifying solar energy system on their property. The financial benefit can be significant: in Oklahoma, where the average home value increase from solar is estimated at several thousand dollars, the annual property tax savings can reach hundreds of dollars per year depending on your county’s mill levy rate.
Homeowners should confirm the exemption with their local county assessor’s office at the time of installation to ensure it is properly applied to their property record. For regulatory guidance, contact the Oklahoma Corporation Commission at the link above.
Oklahoma’s net metering rules, governed by 17 O.S. § 156 and OAC 165:40:9 and updated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in May 2019, allow residential solar customers with systems up to 300 kW to receive bill credits for excess electricity their panels send to the grid. During any billing period, solar production is netted against your consumption at the full retail energy rate — meaning you only pay for the net electricity you draw from the grid. Participating investor-owned utilities serving the Tulsa area include Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).
If your solar system produces more electricity than you consume in a given billing period, the surplus is compensated at the utility’s avoided cost rate — which is lower than the retail rate, typically ranging from approximately $0.02 to $0.08 per kWh depending on your utility. These dollar-based bill credits roll forward indefinitely and can be applied to any future charges on your electric bill, including fixed service availability fees and any grid electricity you purchase when your panels are not producing enough.
Important limitations apply: your installed generating capacity must not exceed 300 kW, and systems that equal or exceed 125% of your recorded peak demand at the service location may not qualify. Additionally, utilities may apply to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for approval to charge a fixed enrollment fee to net metering customers. Homeowners in Tulsa should contact their specific utility to confirm program availability, current compensation rates, and any applicable fees before installation.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are tradeable certificates issued for every megawatt-hour (MWh) of clean electricity generated by a qualifying solar system. Unlike net metering, RECs are earned based on generation alone — you do not need to sell electricity back to the grid to accumulate them. Oklahoma solar owners in Tulsa can register their systems and track their RECs through the North American Renewables Registry (NAR).
The value of RECs fluctuates similarly to market commodities. Based on available data, a 10 kW residential solar system in Oklahoma could generate approximately $300 to $1,000 in annual REC revenue, though actual earnings depend on current market prices and buyer demand. It is important to note that Oklahoma does not have an active Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) market or a strong Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which limits local demand and may reduce the value of credits compared to states with mandatory RPS requirements.
To participate, homeowners should first contact the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for guidance on applicable regulations, then create an account with the North American Renewables Registry to begin tracking and selling credits. Because REC markets can be volatile and Oklahoma’s market is limited, homeowners should research current market conditions carefully before relying on REC income as a significant part of their solar financial projections.
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 230 sunny days annually, but tornadoes, humidity, and variable cloud cover can impact production. Still, Tulsa’s strong sun exposure makes it a solid candidate for solar.
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 thousands of solar installations across the U.S. — including right here in Tulsa. Explore the map below to see which neighborhoods in your community have already made the switch to solar. Click any hexagon to see how many homes in that area have gone solar!
Leasing Solar Panels
If you’re considering solar in Tulsa, you don’t have to pay the full cost upfront. Palmetto offers a solar lease through its LightReach program — available to homeowners served by Oklahoma Electric Coop (OEC), Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E), and Public Service of Oklahoma (PSO). With a lease, you pay a predictable fixed monthly amount based on your system’s estimated production, rather than a large upfront investment.
Compared to buying a system outright with cash, leasing has some clear advantages. When you purchase, you’re responsible for maintenance, repairs, and monitoring over the life of the system. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and handles all of that for you — including a 90% production guarantee. That means less to worry about and more predictable monthly costs from day one.
Curious about how a lease compares to a cash purchase? Palmetto’s buy vs. lease guide walks through the key differences in plain language so you can decide what makes the most sense for your home and budget.
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 for many Tulsa homeowners. Tulsa averages 5.2 peak sun hours per day and over 230 sunny days annually — giving rooftop solar panels strong production potential. Oklahoma electricity prices have risen 21% since 2020, and solar can help reduce your reliance on the grid while protecting against future rate increases.
If upfront cost is a concern, Palmetto’s LightReach solar lease removes that barrier entirely — Tulsa homeowners can go solar with no money down and start saving from day one, with plans starting as low as $79/month.
Yes, Tulsa homeowners have access to net metering through their local utilities. Public Service of Oklahoma (PSO) — the primary utility serving Tulsa — offers monthly net metering where solar exports and imports are netted 1:1. Any excess production at month’s end is credited at PSO’s avoided cost rate (roughly 2–6¢/kWh). Credits roll forward, though accounts exceeding $100 or 24 months of carry-forward may receive a one-time payment.
Tulsa homeowners served by OG&E or OEC also have monthly net metering options with similar 1:1 netting structures and avoided-cost credits for surplus generation.
Yes, solar panels can increase your home value in Tulsa. According to a Zillow study, homes with solar panels sell for approximately 4.1% more than comparable homes without them. On a $250,000 Tulsa home, that could mean over $10,000 in added value.
Oklahoma also offers a property tax exemption on the added home value from solar — so your property taxes won’t increase because of your installation. That makes solar a practical long-term investment for Tulsa homeowners looking to build equity.
For Tulsa homeowners, the most accessible way to go solar is through Palmetto’s LightReach lease — with no upfront cost and a fixed monthly payment starting as low as $79/month for smaller homes. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so there’s nothing out of pocket to get started.
For those considering a cash purchase, a typical Tulsa system runs $20,000–$36,000 depending on home size. Note that the federal 30% residential tax credit is no longer available following the Big Beautiful Bill. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate.
For many Tulsa homeowners, solar can be worth it financially — especially with a lease option. With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, there’s no upfront investment required. Your fixed monthly payment is typically less than your current electricity bill, meaning you could start saving from day one.
Oklahoma electricity rates have risen 21% since 2020, and Tulsa averages ~$45,000 in estimated savings over 25 years for a typical home. Leasing makes those savings accessible without any out-of-pocket costs to get started.
Palmetto Solar is a strong choice for Tulsa homeowners. As a national company with a local focus, we’ve served 20,000+ customers across 31 states since 2011, with an approval rating over 85%. Our vetted install network brings professional, reliable service right to your Tulsa neighborhood.
We also offer some of the most flexible financing options available, including our LightReach lease — no upfront cost, maintenance included, and a 90% production guarantee. Whether you’re buying or leasing, we make going solar in Tulsa straightforward and accessible.
With Palmetto’s LightReach lease, Tulsa homeowners can go solar with no upfront cost. One fixed monthly payment covers the system, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee. For a typical 9.72 kW system in Tulsa, the estimated monthly lease payment is approximately $111/month — often less than your current electricity bill.
Because Palmetto owns the system, it claims the commercial Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and passes those savings to you through lower monthly payments — an advantage not available with cash purchases following the Big Beautiful Bill.