In short: Lawton gets the most sun of our Oklahoma metros, roughly 1,440 kWh a year per kW of panels by our estimate (NASA). The city is served by PSO, at about 12.7 cents per kWh in 2024, and Cotton Electric Cooperative, whose members averaged three interruptions that year (EIA). FEMA rates ice storms “very high” in Comanche County.
This page covers Lawton and the nearby Comanche County area. Statewide rules on net billing, licensing and incentives are in our Oklahoma energy guide.
Lawton at a glance
- Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO): about 12.7¢ per kWh for homes, averaged over 2024; 189 minutes without power per customer with major storms, 117 without them, across PSO’s Oklahoma system (EIA-861, 2024).
- Cotton Electric Cooperative: serves areas around the city; about 11.9¢; 356 minutes with major events, 225 without, and about 3.1 interruptions per member, nearly double the state’s 1.7 (EIA-861, 2024).
- Sun: about 4.9 kWh per square meter a day (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020), or roughly 1,440 kWh a year per kW of panels by our estimate, ahead of Oklahoma City (1,380), Stillwater (1,370) and Tulsa (1,310).
- Top hazards: Comanche County is “very high” for ice storms and “relatively high” for cold waves, strong wind, tornadoes and winter weather (FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025).
- Public charging: 15 ports at 5 locations in Lawton (AFDC data, October 3, 2026).
Prices above are 2024 averages across all months. For the current statewide price, see the state guide.
Your utility and what it means
- PSO: two solar plans. The Net Energy Billing Option is a time-of-day plan with a higher price from 2 to 7 p.m. on summer weekdays; PSO pays for excess beyond what it delivered that month. The Standard Purchase Schedule credits excess at a price set each year. PSO strongly recommends an approved interconnection application, filed through PowerClerk, before you commit to any contractor. See PSO solar and installing generating equipment.
- PSO EV rate: a lower price for charging from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. all year, with a 2 to 7 p.m. peak from June to October; smart meter required. See the PSO EV rate.
- Cotton Electric solar: overproduction in a month is credited at that month’s avoided energy cost, the wholesale energy and fuel cost set by its power supplier, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, and updated monthly. Cotton says it does not partner with any solar company, that proposals promising a zero electric bill “are not correct”, and that every member still pays a monthly fixed fee. Its distributed generation contact is dg@cottonelectric.com. See Cotton Electric renewable energy.
- Cotton Electric standby generators: a members-only program offering 22, 24 and 26 kW standby generator packages with an automatic transfer switch, pad and up to 50 feet of gas and electrical line, installed by a certified contractor. Ask Cotton for current pricing; see its generator program.
- Cotton Electric rebates: its 2026 program pays up to $4,000 per home for qualifying heat pumps, mini-splits and heat pump water heaters installed by a licensed contractor, first come, first served. See the rebate program.
Backup power in Lawton
Lawton’s outage risks are ice in winter and wind and tornadoes in spring. Ice storms are the county’s top FEMA rating, and freezing rain can bring down lines and trees for days. PSO’s system-wide outage time in 2024 was below the state average. Cotton Electric’s members saw about six hours and three separate interruptions, and rural homes on wells lose water when the power goes.
For frequent short outages, a home battery switches on instantly. For multi-day ice storms, a generator on a transfer switch, or a standby unit on natural gas or propane, keeps the furnace, well pump and fridge going; Cotton members can compare its program with outside quotes. A portable power station covers phones, radios and medical devices. Compare in backup power options and size with the generator sizing tool or battery backup calculator.
Safety: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says to run a generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, exhaust away from windows, doors and vents, never in a garage. Fit battery-backed carbon monoxide alarms. A licensed electrician should install the transfer switch; see generator installation.
Solar in Lawton
Lawton’s sun makes the best solar case of our four Oklahoma metros. At about 1,440 kWh a year per kW, each kW of panels would offset about $184 a year at PSO’s 2024 average price, or about $171 on Cotton Electric, if every kilowatt-hour replaces power you would buy. A 6 kW system would save roughly $1,030 to $1,100 a year on that basis (estimates). Exports earn less on both utilities, so size to your daytime use. Cotton Electric had 204 net-metered home solar systems in 2024 (EIA-861).
Check your roof in the solar potential tool, test quotes in the solar savings calculator, and read solar installation and net metering and net billing. Panels and racking should be rated for the county’s strong winds.
Batteries in Lawton
A battery earns its place here mainly as backup, especially for Cotton members who see interruptions often. On PSO’s time-of-day solar plan it can also shift midday solar into the summer evening peak. Get the utility’s approval before installing a grid-tied battery. See home battery installation and home battery cost.
EV charging in Lawton
Lawton has a small public network, 15 ports at 5 locations (AFDC data, October 3, 2026), so home charging matters. At about 30 kWh per 100 miles, PSO’s 2024 average of 12.7¢ works out to roughly $3.82 per 100 miles, and Cotton’s 11.9¢ to about $3.56 (estimates); PSO’s overnight EV rate can lower that. Use the EV charging cost calculator and read EV charger installation.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Lawton: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Permits and inspections
- City of Lawton: the License and Permits Division, 212 SW 9th Street, 580-581-3360, issues building permits and trade licenses. Inspection Services says all electrical, mechanical and plumbing work must be done by a contractor licensed in that trade, and only City-licensed contractors (or owners who did their own building work) can request inspections, on the line at 580-581-3362. We found no solar-specific guidance.
- Outside city limits: ask Comanche County.
- Utility and HOA: PSO or Cotton Electric must approve the connection; check HOA rules where they apply.
Cities we cover
- Lawton
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Lawton energy FAQ
Is solar worth more in Lawton than elsewhere in Oklahoma?
Lawton has the best sun of the metros we cover, about 1,440 kWh a year per kW by our estimate. That means each panel saves a little more, but exports still earn far less than retail on PSO and Cotton Electric, so the system should match your use.
How does Cotton Electric credit extra solar power?
Power you send beyond what you use in a month is credited at that month’s avoided energy cost, the wholesale energy and fuel cost from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative. Cotton warns that no proposal should promise a zero bill, because members still pay a fixed monthly fee.
Does Cotton Electric offer standby generators?
Yes, as a members-only program: 22, 24 and 26 kW standby generator packages with an automatic transfer switch, pad and up to 50 feet of gas and electrical line, installed by a certified contractor. Ask Cotton for current prices and compare them with independent quotes.
Who can do electrical work in Lawton?
The City says all electrical, mechanical and plumbing work must be done by a contractor licensed in that trade, and only City-licensed contractors can request inspections. Ask any installer for their state license and City registration.
Sources
Utilities, prices, outages and net-metered homes: U.S. Energy Information Administration, EIA-861 data for 2024. PSO solar, generating equipment and EV rate pages; Cotton Electric renewable energy, rebate and generator pages; City of Lawton License and Permits and Inspection Services pages; all read October 3, 2026. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Charging: Alternative Fuels Data Center, October 3, 2026. Generator safety: CPSC.