Why Solar
Why Oklahoma Homeowners Are Going Solar
Not a sales pitch. Real numbers from Oklahoma Corporation Commission filings, EIA data and legislative records. Read the data, then decide.
The Rate Problem
$246 Million in Approved Rate Increases
OG&E: $126.6 Million Increase
Approved November 27, 2024 by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in a 2-1 vote. OG&E originally requested $332.5 million.
The result: approximately $13 more per month for the average residential customer. A 6.6% residential rate increase across roughly 900,000 customers.
The increase is currently under appeal at the Oklahoma Supreme Court. OG&E's next general rate case filing is expected between June 2026 and January 2027. See the full rate case history.
PSO: $119.5 Million Increase
Approved January 15, 2025. PSO originally requested $218 million. The typical residential customer using 1,100 kWh pays approximately $12 more per month.
PSO serves roughly 580,000 customers across eastern Oklahoma.
Another $597 million rate review is pending.
If approved, that would add approximately $25/month, a 16% increase. Hearings concluded February 19, 2026. A final OCC vote is expected late March or April 2026.
Source: Oklahoma Corporation Commission official rulings. Both increases are under appeal at the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
What's Driving Rates Up
Data Centers Are Draining Oklahoma's Grid
Oklahoma has 36+ data centers already operating and 18+ more under construction. Google operates facilities in Pryor with planned expansions in Stillwater and Owasso.
PSO signed a single customer agreement for over 1,000 megawatts of power. Their previous largest customer contract was 130 MW. They have 11 additional contracts, each over 50 MW. The Southwest Power Pool reports 12 large-load customers in queue for Oklahoma as of January 2026.
Someone pays for all that new infrastructure. OG&E has already proposed a 55 cents/month surcharge starting in 2026, escalating to $4.41/month by 2031. That's on top of the rate increases above.
The legislature is responding. HB 2992, the "Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026," passed the House Utilities Committee 7-0 and would shift infrastructure costs to data centers. Senator Sacchieri introduced SB 1488, a moratorium on new data centers over 100 MW until November 2029. But neither is law yet.
Approved rate increases (OG&E + PSO combined)
Year-over-year rate increase (EIA, May 2024 to May 2025)
Data centers under construction statewide
The Fix
How Solar Changes the Equation
Lock Your Rate
Solar panels produce electricity at a fixed cost. No rate cases, no surcharges, no annual increases. The sun doesn't file for rate hikes.
Net Metering Credits
Both OG&E and PSO offer net metering. When your panels produce more than you use during the day, excess energy flows to the grid and you earn credits. Use those credits at night.
Rising Savings
Every rate increase makes your solar system more valuable. The gap between what you would have paid and what you actually pay gets wider every year.
The Math
What 25 Years of Utility Bills Actually Costs
The average Oklahoma household pays around $150/month for electricity. At just 5% annual growth (below the current 12.4% trend), here's what that becomes:
Assumes $150/month starting cost with 5% annual growth. Formula: Year N = $150 x 12 x (1.05)^(N-1). Oklahoma-specific estimate.
Solar Payback
Cash Purchase
Typical payback period of 8-12 years. After that, your electricity is essentially free for the remaining 13-17 years of panel warranty. That's $50,000+ in avoided utility costs after payback.
Financed
Monthly loan payment typically matches or beats your current utility bill. You're paying the same amount, but building equity in an asset instead of sending money to OG&E or PSO.
Current Oklahoma Rate
Approximately 12 cents/kWh (Feb 2026). The national average is 18.05 cents/kWh. Oklahoma rates are still 36% below the national average, but they're catching up fast.
Oklahoma Weather
What About Hail, Wind and Clouds?
Hail-Rated Panels
We install Tier 1 panels tested to withstand 1-inch hail at 50+ mph. Your homeowner's insurance covers solar panels as part of your roof structure. Most homeowners see no increase in premiums.
More Sun Than Germany
Oklahoma averages 235 sunny days per year with approximately 5.0 peak sun hours daily. Germany led the world in solar installations for over a decade with significantly less sunshine.
Cloudy Day Production
Solar panels still produce 10-25% of full output on overcast days. Your system is designed around annual production averages, not daily peaks. Net metering credits from sunny days offset lower production periods.
Sources
- Oklahoma Corporation Commission — OG&E and PSO rate case rulings (2024-2025)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Oklahoma electricity rate data (May 2024 to May 2025)
- BestPlaces.net — Oklahoma sunshine and climate data
- NonDoc — "Corporation Commission advances huge PSO, OG&E rate increases"
- KOSU — "Oklahoma utility regulators deny OG&E's CWIP request"
See What Your Home Could Save
Every month you pay utility rates is a month you're not building equity in your own energy. Get a free analysis based on your actual usage and roof.
Talk to UsCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is solar actually worth it in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma gets more annual sunshine than Germany, the country that led the world in solar for over a decade. With rates rising 12.4% year-over-year and $246M in approved utility increases, solar locks in your energy cost while utility prices keep climbing. Cash systems typically pay for themselves in 8-12 years, then produce free electricity for another 13-17 years.
What happens to my solar savings when rates go up?
Your savings increase. Solar locks in your energy cost at today's price. Every time OG&E or PSO raises rates, the gap between what you would have paid and what you actually pay gets wider. A system that saves you $120/month today could save $200+/month in five years if rates continue climbing at current trends.
How does net metering work with OG&E and PSO?
Both OG&E and PSO offer net metering in Oklahoma. When your panels produce more electricity than your home uses (typically midday), the excess flows to the grid and you earn credits on your bill. At night or on cloudy days, you draw from the grid and use those credits. Most solar homeowners build up credits in summer to offset higher winter usage.
Will hail damage my panels?
Modern solar panels are tested to withstand 1-inch hail at 50+ mph. We install Tier 1 panels with hail ratings designed for severe weather states like Oklahoma. Your homeowner's insurance covers solar panels as part of your roof, and many homeowners see no increase in premiums.
What if I sell my house?
Homes with solar sell for more. Studies consistently show solar adds value to a home, and solar homes sell faster than comparable homes without panels. The system transfers to the new owner along with remaining warranty coverage.
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels are warrantied for 25 years and typically produce electricity well beyond that. Most panels degrade less than 0.5% per year, meaning after 25 years they're still producing around 87% of their original output. The inverter may need replacement once during that period (typically around year 12-15).
Do I still have an electric bill with solar?
You'll still have a small connection fee from your utility (typically $10-15/month for OG&E or PSO). But your actual electricity charges can drop to near zero. Most solar homeowners see their total bill drop by 70-90% depending on system size and energy usage.
What about cloudy days?
Solar panels still produce electricity on cloudy days, just at reduced output (typically 10-25% of full capacity). Your system is designed based on annual production, not daily peaks. The credits you build during sunny months offset lower production periods. Oklahoma averages 235 sunny days per year.