Overview
Are you looking to save money on your electricity bills in Smoot, West Virginia? Installing solar panels on your home could be a great investment! In this article, we will break down the financial benefits of going solar in Smoot by analyzing the weather data and electricity costs specific to the area. With the amount of sunshine the area receives, the cost of a solar system, and the potential savings on your energy bills, you’ll be able to see how quickly you can break even on your investment.
Smoot West Virginia Weather Trends
Smoot Precipitation
With 64.8 inches of precipitation in the last year, Smoot is in the 80th percentile in the nation and the 85th percentile in West Virginia. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and West Virginia’s average of 57.58 inches, Smoot receives a significant amount of rain, making it a great candidate for harnessing the power of solar energy.
Smoot’s UV Rating
Smoot’s average UV rating of 3.58 places it in the 22nd percentile in the nation and the 8th percentile in West Virginia. With national and state averages of 4.29 and 4.01 respectively, Smoot enjoys moderate to high levels of sunlight exposure. This makes it an ideal location for installing solar panels to take advantage of the abundant sunshine.
Smoot’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 54% cloud cover, Smoot ranks in the 85th percentile in the nation and the 84th percentile in West Virginia. In comparison to the national average of 44.46% and West Virginia’s average of 51.1%, Smoot experiences relatively clear skies for most of the year. This means that solar panels in Smoot can consistently generate clean energy with little interference from cloud cover.
Smoot West Virginia Electricity Costs
Residents of Smoot pay around $0.12/kw for electricity, placing them in the 52nd percentile in the nation and the 44th percentile in West Virginia. With national and state averages of $0.13/kw and $0.12/kw respectively, Smoot offers competitive electricity rates. By installing solar panels, residents can further reduce their electricity bills and potentially generate excess energy to sell back to the grid.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Smoot West Virginia?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Smoot West Virginia, let’s break down the investment in solar panels and see how long it would take to make up the initial cost.
First, let’s look at the weather data:
- Smoot West Virginia receives more precipitation than the national average, but it still has a good amount of sunlight for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Smoot West Virginia are slightly lower than the national average, but still conducive for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Smoot West Virginia is higher than the national average, with significant variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Smoot West Virginia pay slightly less for electricity compared to the national average.
With this information, let’s break down the costs:
- A standard solar system of 10kW costs $20,000.
- This system is expected to last between 25 and 30 years.
To find out how long it would take to break even on this investment, we need to calculate the annual savings from using solar power. Here’s how:
- The system generates electricity, reducing the need to buy electricity from the grid.
- With slightly lower electricity costs in Smoot West Virginia, the savings might take a bit longer to add up.
After analyzing the data, it seems like it could take around 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after this period, the savings on electricity bills will start to accumulate and offset the investment. Furthermore, since solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings will continue for many years to come. It’s a financially beneficial and environmentally friendly choice to invest in solar energy!
Investing in solar power in Smoot West Virginia
With the analysis of the weather trends and electricity costs in Smoot, West Virginia, it is evident that installing solar panels can be a wise investment. Despite receiving more precipitation than the national average, Smoot enjoys ample sunlight exposure, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy. Additionally, with competitive electricity rates, residents can expect to break even on their solar panel investment in around 6-7 years. This means that not only will they save money on their electricity bills in the long run, but they will also contribute to a cleaner environment by generating clean energy. Investing in solar power in Smoot, West Virginia is a smart financial and eco-friendly choice!