Oklahoma Solar Incentives

Oklahoma is the nation's 6th largest producer of wind power. Yet The Sooner State has little to offer homeowners who want a solar system on their property. There have been some teases from the Oklahoma legislature in recent years. In 2006, a bill was proposed that would have provided tax credits for solar systems, but it didn't pass. Furthermore, according to Solar Power Rocks, a similar bill passed the state house and senate but has stalled at the leadership level for reasons unknown.

A warmer embrace of solar power would serve to keep Oklahoma's natural beauty both natural and beautiful. From the Ozarks to the Great Plains, Oklahoma has a diverse landscape. It's about time state leadership got on board with the national trend toward a green and renewable grid. For now, here's what little Oklahoma homeowners can expect:

NET METERING

Customer-generated power systems up to 100 kW are eligible for net metering under an Oklahoma law that dates back to 1988.
Investor-owned utilities and regulated electric cooperatives are required to participate.
The purchase of net excess generation (NEG) must be negotiated with the utility. Utilities are not required to purchase or credit NEG to the customer's next bill. You can simply ask the utility to purchase that power from you.

So, net metering is it for now. That and the satisfaction of clean and free energy from the sun. Unfortunately most homeowners need that help from their state government to get solar projects off the ground. On the bright side, solar is not unheard of in the Oklahoma legislature. Let's just hope that next time a bill passes through legislative hands, it gets put on the top of the pile.

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