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3 Best Solar Companies in Oklahoma (2024 Guide)
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Every year, Oklahoma faces a turbulent tornado season that leaves residents without power for days. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the state experienced 63 tornadoes in 2022 alone. Solar panels can provide reliable backup energy when paired with batteries, keeping homes powered during severe weather events. Solar power can also help Oklahoma residents save on monthly energy costs beyond the storm season.
Our team spent 50 hours researching top solar providers nationwide, comparing product selections, warranties, customer reviews, and other important factors. Learn more about the solar companies we recommend for Oklahoma homeowners, plus tips for picking the right installer for your home.
Compare Solar Panel Installers in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Top Solar Energy Companies
Our Top Picks for Solar Panel Installation in Oklahoma
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
Are There Solar Incentives For Oklahoma Homeowners?
Oklahoma offers limited state-level solar incentives. However, homeowners can still benefit from the federal tax credit for up to 30% savings on solar panel installation costs. This credit applies to the purchase of photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar roofing, and stand-alone battery storage options. You must legally own your solar panels to qualify.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) mandates net-metering for investor-owned utilities (IOUs). Through this program, homeowners can send excess energy generated by their systems to the power grid in exchange for credits on their electric bills. However, pricing is not regulated, meaning you may receive less than the full retail electricity rate for returned power. You should check with your utility company for full details on its net-metering programs.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma doesn’t offer additional solar incentives, such as property tax exemptions. While installing solar boosts home value, it leads to higher property taxes. If you’re considering selling your solar-powered home, the increased property value will result in a higher selling price. Zillow found that solar-powered homes sell for 4.1% more than comparable homes, making solar panels a worthwhile investment.
Homeowners can check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for full details on solar rebates and area-wide incentives.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
Consider the following factors to help you choose between solar providers.
Solar Services
Solar panel companies use in-house installers or third-party contractors to complete their projects. In-house teams offer better quality control, more streamlined communication, and work for the company directly. Third-party contractors may maintain a different quality standard, leading to poor installation. You’ll also communicate with the installation team and company rep separately, which may complicate things. We recommend using solar companies that employ in-house installers for their projects.
Warranties and Power Production Guarantees
Solar installation companies often include manufacturer and workmanship warranties with their panels. Manufacturer coverage protects against manufacturing defects, while workmanship covers poor installation problems. Most high-quality solar panels include 25 years of coverage—sometimes longer. Since the average solar panel system lasts 25 years, you’ll want coverage that aligns with that life span. Look for companies offering 25 years or longer for both warranty options.
Additional protection may include a power production guarantee. This warranty outlines your panels’ linear production levels. This coverage is important since, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), solar panels drop in efficiency by 0.5% annually. Solar panel companies include these production guarantees to outline how long panels will last and their estimated production levels by the warranty’s conclusion. Coverage varies per company but may cover as little as two years or up to three decades.
Payment Options
Most companies offer two or more solar financing options. Cash payments and solar loans are the most common. Both options offer the best financial benefits and return on investment. They also make you the system’s legal owner, qualifying you for rebates and incentives that lower solar panel costs. We recommend cash payments and solar loans to get the most out of your solar investment.
Other options, such as solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), require minimal up-front costs but offer few financial benefits. The solar company retains solar ownership, disqualifying you for added system savings. You should avoid leasing options unless it’s imperative for you not to own your system.
Customer Support
Companies should offer two or more customer service contact options to make accessing help easy. You’ll find most installers include phone, email, and online forms. Additional options include online chat, text, and in-app correspondence. During secret shopping, we discovered many online chats have mixed results, offering live reps or automated responses. We recommend checking online reviews for mentions of unanswered calls, delayed responses, or unfriendly representatives.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Oklahoma
Below is a step-by-step guide to the solar quote process. Although a few steps may vary, this covers the general process and what to expect when you contact each solar installer. We recommend getting multiple free quotes from different companies for comparison.
- Contact each company: Most companies offer online forms or phone numbers to start the quote process. Check online form terms for any notices of automated texts and robocalls. If you plan to call, you may have to speak to multiple reps before contacting the sales department. During our shopping experience, we often spoke with one initial representative who verified our address before being connected to a sales rep.
- Set a consultation appointment: You’ll meet with a company rep for an in-person or virtual consultation. If you choose a virtual call, be sure your phone, tablet, or computer meets the system requirements. Some companies’ websites offer direct appointment scheduling.
- Review energy usage: The rep will review your energy bills to determine the right system and panel size. We recommend having several months of statements handy to account for seasonal fluctuations during summer and winter.
- Check your roof design: The rep will check your roof’s available space, structural integrity, and any design elements affecting your panel placement. They also check for any surrounding objects that could cast shadows on your panels. Since solar panels absorb the sun’s energy, you’ll need their surfaces free of obstructions. If too many trees surround your property, you may need tree removal services to make your home more viable for solar panels.
- Build your solar panel system: The company will begin building your solar system based on your energy use and roof assessments. During this stage, you can customize your system with your preferred solar panel type, inverters, and add-ons such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and solar batteries. These changes will impact your overall system costs. Higher-quality solar panels cost more but require fewer total panels. The best budget solar manufacturers cost less but may require a larger rooftop installation to meet your energy needs.
- Review the final quote and contract: The final quote includes an itemized list of all solar equipment, up-front costs, labor charges, and warranty details. You’ll also receive financing option details and your estimated payback period. Some installers assist with solar incentive applications and will recommend the best options for maximum savings. Compare each completed quote before committing to an installer.
Our Conclusion
Shine Solar is our top recommendation for Oklahoma solar installers. They offer years of experience and an extensive 30-year warranty.
We recommend getting solar quotes from at least three companies and comparing their products, warranty coverage, and solar services.
Other Oklahoma Home Service Resources
FAQ About Solar Companies in OK
How many solar companies are in OK?
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there are 33 solar companies in Oklahoma.
Does Oklahoma charge sales tax for solar systems?
Yes, Oklahoma charges sales tax for solar systems. There are no sales tax exemptions for solar system purchases.
Can you sell electricity back to the grid in OK?
Yes, you can sell electricity back to the grid under Oklahoma’s statewide net-metering program. It’s mandated for all investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and allows customers to earn bill credits for any excess energy sent back to the power grid. Payout rates vary between companies, so contact your utility company for program details.
Does OK offer a solar tax credit?
Oklahoma does not offer a statewide solar tax credit. However, all residents who own their systems qualify for the federal solar tax credit, which offers up to 30% back on total installation costs. Customers who lease their systems or enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) do not qualify.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.