Oklahoma solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

The most straightforward way to make money with your solar system in Oklahoma is to join the Net Metering program. You sell to your utility all the electricity that you generate, but don’t use. In return, electric companies give you Renewable Energy Credits, which you can use to cover your bills. The program is open for all customers, but the installation must be under 300 kW in size. The utilities pay for your net excess generation at their avoided cost rate. Keep in mind that they can charge you an application fee.

Renewable Energy Credits are certificates granted to any person or entity upon generation of each MWh of clean electricity. Unlike with Net Metering, you don’t need to sell any electricity to get credits. The value of RECs is always changing, which makes them similar to stock market assets. Based on the available data, selling RECs could mean anywhere from $300 to $1,000 annually for a 10 kW solar system. To participate, first you may want to contact the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for relevant details. After that, you can create a REC account with the North American Renewables Registry (NAR) to begin storing and selling your credits.

If you are looking for additional funds to buy a solar system, the Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) program might help you with that. The loans are insured through Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.

When you are looking to buy new property with the help of an FHA loan, its amount can be increased to include the cost of your PV solar system. Once you’ve qualified for a home loan, the process of approving an EEM is much simpler and shorter. A standard FHA loan can be increased for energy-efficient upgrades by:

– the cost of upgrades based on the home energy assessment; or

– the lesser of 5% of:

• the Adjusted Value;
• 115 percent of the median area price of a Single Family dwelling; or
• 150 percent of the national conforming mortgage limit.

It means that you can get a loan for the whole system plus its installation and shipment. Read more about the FHA program and apply here. 

The Veterans Affairs program offers EEMs for military personnel, reservists and veterans. The size of a loan depends on your status and credit history. Check the guide on how to apply for the VA loan here.

To build a solar installation in Oklahoma, you usually need to gather some papers first. The exact requirements vary from city to city. For example, here’s what you need in Oklahoma city: 

• Any solar project requires an electrical permit.
• Building permit is required when you add panels to a roof or build a new structure for them.
• You'll have to pay fees for these permits, plus there is a minimum fee of $55 for solar.

It is recommended to get in touch with your electric company to discuss your connection to the grid and the net metering program. Most of the time it’s your installer who handles the process of getting a permit and makes sure that it is legal to install solar panels on your house in Oklahoma. 

Tornadoes are a constant problem in Oklahoma – the state suffers from 52 tornadoes a year on average. While it’s not the record breaker across the US (Texas has twice as many), Oklahoma claims to have the highest number of strong tornadoes per unit area. Solar panels deal with harsh weather well and strong winds usually aren’t a threat for them. A standard solar panel can withstand a 140 mph wind, while the average speed of a tornado is 40-100 mph. Some manufacturers, like Canadian Solar and Solaria, focus on making their PV modules as durable as possible: their panels are able to survive 170-200 mph winds.

While there aren’t any specific solar laws in Oklahoma related to tornadoes, photovoltaics are a safe and wise choice in this state. A solar installation is not going to be destroyed by a natural disaster, and off-grid systems provide you with energy even when power lines are down. Keep in mind, however, that grid-tie solar systems stop working during power outages.