Tulsa Solar Panel Installation

Tulsa Solar Panel Installation from the Experts at Ampco Electric

Welcome to Ampco Electric, your trusted solar panel installation company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Installing solar panels on your home or business can be a complex process, but our team of NABCEP-certified experts simplifies every step. With the years of solar energy experience, we have the skills and knowledge to perfectly tailor a solar system to your needs.

When you choose Ampco Electric for Tulsa solar panel installation, you get unmatched customer service and the highest quality components. We take care of everything from permits and incentives to panel configuration and wiring. Our meticulous project management ensures your system is designed, installed and inspected properly for full compliance and maximum ROI.

Below we cover all the key details about solar panel installation in Tulsa from Ampco Electric:

How Does Grid-Connected Solar Work in Tulsa?

Most residential and commercial solar panel systems installed in Tulsa are grid-connected to Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). This means they synchronize with the existing electrical infrastructure.

Here’s how grid-connected solar works:

Solar panels on your roof or property convert sunlight into DC (direct current) electricity
The inverter converts the DC to usable AC (alternating current)
The electricity first supplies your home, business or a dedicated device
Any excess electricity gets fed back into the grid through a net meter
The net meter tracks your energy usage vs. production and "spins backwards" when feeding the grid
You receive credits on your electricity bills for the surplus energy produced
At night or when solar production is low, you seamlessly draw power from the grid

With grid-connected solar, you don’t need battery storage. The net metering process handles your credits for solar energy produced during the day and electricity usage at night. We’ll determine if battery backup makes sense for your goals during the free consultation and quote process.

Key Benefits of Grid-Connected Solar

Lower electricity bills through solar bill credits
Smaller carbon footprint from clean energy production
Increased home/business value with solar PV system
Backup power potential with batteries (optional)
Energy independence and insulation from utility rate hikes
Revenue from solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs)

Grid-connected solar provides flexibility and ensures you always have the power you need.

Energy Efficiency Recommendations To Maximize Solar Savings

One of the keys to optimizing solar panel system sizing and return on investment is proper energy efficiency. Any reductions in your home or business’s base electrical load will amplify the impact of solar.

We evaluate energy efficiency during our site visits and make recommendations on high-ROI upgrades. Common ways to increase efficiency before solar installation include:

LED lighting

Replacing all lighting with LEDs can reduce lighting electricity usage by 50% or more. The long lifespan (50,000+ hours) also minimizes maintenance. We recommend top LED brands like Philips, Cree and GE.

HVAC maintenance

Keeping your heating and cooling equipment tuned up improves energy efficiency 5-15%. This includes checking refrigerant levels, duct sealing, changing filters and cleaning coils.

Smart thermostats

New smart thermostats like the Nest regulate temperatures more efficiently while learning your usage patterns. This provides 5-10% HVAC energy savings.

Attic insulation

Proper attic insulation reduces heat transfer and conditioning loss. We recommend upgrading to an R-40 level or higher.

Weather stripping

Sealing air leaks around doors, windows and openings prevents energy waste from air infiltration. Quality weather stripping costs little but makes a big difference.

Window sun film

Solar window film improves insulation, blocks UV rays to protect furnishings, and reduces air conditioning costs.

Evaluate your home or business using an energy audit to determine efficiency priority areas. The more efficient the building, the greater the solar savings. Our team is happy to assess energy-saving opportunities at your location.

What Size Solar System Does Your Home or Business Need?

Sizing a solar panel system properly for your building’s electricity usage and goals is crucial. Oversizing can increase the system cost with diminishing additional savings. Undersizing leads to lost production potential and higher ongoing electricity bills.

We determine the ideal solar system size for you through:

Detailed electricity load evaluation

By examining your historical kWh usage and electric bills, we calculate the baseline. Average daily and monthly consumption informs minimum system size.

Future projections

We factor in any known upcoming changes to your electricity usage – expansions, equipment upgrades, EV purchases, etc. A system should meet future needs.

Available space assessment

The rooftop or ground area available for panels limits maximum system size. We design fully within your usable space.

Efficiency considerations

As mentioned above, we help optimize energy efficiency before final solar sizing. This prevents oversizing.

Usage offset goals

Most customers aim to offset 50-80% of their usage with solar. If you hope to achieve 100% offset, that factors into size.

Battery backup

For full home backup capability, increased solar panel capacity is needed beyond normal usage.

With these considerations in mind, we right-size your system for ideal ROI. Both production and financial projections are included in our proposal.

As examples, here are typical system sizes for different home and business types:

Panel placement locations and orientation also affect size. Contact us today to start planning the perfect solar solution for your building.

Solar Panel Types Available from Ampco Electric

Solar panels come in different underlying technologies, sizes, shapes and color options. The panels selected impact system performance, aesthetics and maintenance.

We choose Tier 1, high-efficiency panels from proven manufacturers – typically Q Cells, LG, Panasonic or SunPower. After inspecting your site, we recommend the best panel type and layout for your needs.

Here are the most common solar panel options we provide:

Monocrystalline

Most efficient but priciest option. Monocrystalline uses silicon cut from a single crystal structure. Typical efficiency 18-22%. Distinctive black color with rectangular shape.

Polycrystalline

Slightly lower efficiency but more affordable cost. Rectangular black panels made from many silicon crystal fragments fused together. Efficiency 15-18% range.

Bifacial

Gains extra production from reflected rear sunlight. Up to 25% more energy than standard panels in the right conditions. Requires special racking and taller mounting.

Thin Film

Extremely sleek, low-profile panels with integrated mounting. Can be directly adhered to roofs. Durability challenges in some climates. 6-8% lower efficiency than crystalline.

Black Panels

Many mono and poly options come in black for an attractive, uniform appearance. Provides a classy, high-end look.

White Panels

Color options like white blend better on lighter roofs but produce slightly less energy. Reduces roof heating.

Let us know if you have any special preferences or questions about solar panel types during our consultation. Performance, reliability and warranty are most important, but aesthetics matter too.

Racking Options for Mounting Solar Panels

Racking (or mounting) is the structure that securely attaches solar panels to rooftops or the ground. The racking choice affects labor, costs, durability, and aesthetics.

We offer all the best racking options and recommend what works best for your situation:

Flush mount

Attaches panels close to the roof surface. Good for low-pitch roofs. Fastened into roof rafters.

Tilt mount

Raises panels 4-12 inches off the roof. Allows air circulation underneath and provides optimal tilt angle.

Ballasted footing

Concrete or gravel-filled bases that hold racking in place without roof penetration. Used on flat commercial roofs or ground mounts.

Pole mounts

Drive pylons into the ground to mount panels above the surface. Enables dual-axis tracking.

Single-axis trackers

Motorized system tilts panels to follow the sun’s movement across the sky for boosted output.

Aluminum

Lightweight but durable aluminum alloy is the most common racking material. Resists corrosion.

Steel

Heavier but extremely sturdy. Used for sites with high wind loads or ground mounting. May be galvanized to prevent rust.

Proper racking design ensures your panels can withstand 100+ MPH winds and severe weather. It also minimizes leaks, allows ventilation, and enables safe, secure installation.

Our experienced project managers determine optimal racking approaches for each unique roof or site. Architectural plans and geotechnical conditions inform the design. Let us know if you have any specific racking needs or requests.

Inverters & Monitoring - Key Solar System Components

Beyond the solar panels, two other components play critical roles: inverters and monitoring hardware.

The inverter transforms the DC electricity from solar panels into usable AC power. Grid-connected systems require an inverter for net metering.

Microinverters place a small inverter at each panel. Central inverters connect in strings of panels. Here are the inverter types we recommend and install:

Detailed electricity load evaluation

Our top choice. Module-level MPPT tracking and robust integrated grounding ensure maximum production. Reliable and widely monitored.

Future projections

The power optimizers provide panel-level MPPT with one centralized unit. Cost-effective solution.

Available space assessment

High-performing central inverters good for smaller systems. Stable Taiwan-based brand.

SMA string inverters

Excellent central inverter option from a solar industry leader. Very robust but higher cost.

Monitoring hardware gives you 24/7 insight into system production and alerts us if maintenance is needed. Options we offer include:

Enphase Envoy

Seamlessly monitors Enphase microinverter systems. Easy automated production reports.

SolarEdge monitoring portal

Tracks SolarEdge HD-Wave inverters + power optimizers. User-friendly performance charts.

Also

3rd party monitoring like Also works with many inverter brands for comprehensive data.

The warranties, throughput, efficiency, and reliability ratings of all electrical components are closely examined. We only use equipment proven capable of handling Oklahoma’s intense heat and weather extremes.

How Much Do Solar Panels in Tulsa Cost?

Solar panel system costs depend on the size, equipment choices, site-specific factors, current incentives and more. While not inexpensive, the many benefits make solar a fantastic long-term investment.

Here are the main elements that make up total installed costs:

Flush mount

The core system components. Prices fluctuate but expect $2.50-$3.50 per Watt for quality panels and microinverters.

Tilt mount

Balance of system materials run $1-$1.50 per Watt typically. Wide range based on equipment.

Ballasted footing

For a professionally installed system expect around $1 per Watt in labor costs. Varies by complexity.

Pole mounts

Permitting, inspection, design, project management and overhead add roughly $500-$1000 on average.

Single-axis trackers

Installers need to cover expenses and make a reasonable profit. Our margins are very fair and competitive.

How Much Do Solar Panels in Tulsa Cost?

Here are the main elements that make up total installed costs:

Solar panels - The core system components. Prices fluctuate but expect $2.50-$3.50 per Watt for quality panels and microinverters.
Inverters, racking, electrical - Balance of system materials run $1-$1.50 per Watt typically. Wide range based on equipment.
Installation labor - For a professionally installed system expect around $1 per Watt in labor costs. Varies by complexity.
Permits and indirect costs - Permitting, inspection, design, project management and overhead add roughly $500-$1000 on average.
Profit margin - Installers need to cover expenses and make a reasonable profit. Our margins are very fair and competitive.

Federal tax credit

You can deduct 26% of the total system cost from your federal taxes through 2032. This instantly reduces effective cost by about 25%.

State/utility incentives

Additional rebates, tax credits and renewable energy incentives provide savings. We maximize all you qualify for.

SREC revenue

Oklahoma’s solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) marketplace creates an added income stream from your system’s production.

With incentives factored in, a typical 5 kW solar system in Tulsa ranges from $10,000-$14,000 total installed cost. Larger commercial systems can be over $100k but also produce more energy savings.

We provide complete transparent pricing in our proposals. There are no last-minute surprises – you see the full cost breakdown upfront before committing.

How Fast Does Solar Pay for Itself in Tulsa?

Between the energy bill savings, long-term electricity cost avoidance, and incentives received, solar power is a fantastic investment in Oklahoma.

Most solar systems installed by Ampco Electric in Tulsa achieve full ROI in 5-7 years. The factors that affect payback period include:

Size of PV system vs. offset electricity usage
Solar panel production efficiency and tilt optimization
Energy rates from your utility provider
Level of solar incentives and rebates captured
Future electricity price increases projected for your utility

After achieving full payback, the system continues producing free electricity for another 20-25 years or longer. This makes solar easily a better investment than paying the utility.

To help calculate precise ROI timeframes, our proposals include detailed annual production and savings projections. We show you when the system earns back its cost, and how much you save over 5, 10, 15, 20+ years.

You see clearly how going solar puts money back in your pocket over the long run. The environmental benefits are just a nice bonus!

Address

Sallisaw, OK

Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Solar Panel Installation