Oklahoma utilities are leaders in affordable, renewable energy
Interest in solar power is increasing across Oklahoma. Rooftop solar enables customers to produce a portion of their own electricity. Customers who have rooftop solar still rely on the grid when their solar is not producing enough power to supply their needs. As we evaluate the role of solar in our energy future, it is important to assess the price structure for electrical service to ensure that customers with rooftop solar pay for their use of the grid and the costs to maintain it. These costs include:
It also is important to evaluate how customers with rooftop solar are credited for what they produce. Though they provide energy only, they receive credit for services like energy delivery, storm repairs and equipment maintenance. Continuing to pay rooftop solar customers for services they do not provide places a greater financial burden on other customers.
In 2010, Oklahoma set a goal that 15 percent of its energy capacity should consist of renewables by 2015. Oklahoma exceeded that goal ahead of the deadline and continues to increase its use of renewables. Oklahoma now is the fourth largest producer of wind energy capacity in the U.S. and is witnessing continued investments in solar power.
Advancements in technology and a focus on renewable, alternative forms of energy are driving innovation in the electric industry, and Oklahoma utilities are doing their part to deliver the benefits of these changes to customers.
Click on the video to learn more about making solar part of the state’s energy future with fair pricing and efficient use of resources.
Oklahoma utilities support customers who choose to install rooftop solar or other forms of customer-owned generation. These customers use the electrical grid differently from other customers. Updating the price structure reflects those differences in a way that still benefits solar customers and ensures all customers pay for their use of the grid. Without these changes, customers without rooftop solar would pay for solar customers’ use of the grid.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) recently installed its first solar farm. The 2.5-megawatt project near OG&E's Mustang generating plant can power about 500 homes and will serve as the power source for a community solar program OG&E launches in 2016.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has projects under way to install solar power at three of its facilities across the state. PSO also plans to add 50 megawatts of large-scale solar energy per year from 2021-2024 for a total of 200 megawatts.
Various studies have been published on the costs, challenges and trends related to customer-owned and large-scale solar projects.
— Dr. Peter Fox-Penner, Brattle Group principal
Oklahoma utilities are leading the way in modernizing Oklahoma’s energy future. Serving more than 1.3 million customers, we have increased our use of solar and wind energy and adopted new technologies that make natural gas generation more affordable. We also offer new tools to help our customers manage their energy use. We are working together to position Oklahoma for a bright future.