Overview
In Brookings South Dakota, investing in solar panels for your home can lead to significant long-term financial benefits. By analyzing weather data collected over 365 days, along with basic electricity costs, we can show you how much money you can save by making the switch to solar energy. With the cost of a solar system broken down and an estimate of how long it will take to break even, you’ll see just how much you can save on your electricity bills in the long run.
Brookings South Dakota Weather Trends
Brookings Precipitation
With Brookings South Dakota receiving 38.24 inches of precipitation in the last year, it falls in the 24th percentile nationwide and the 91st percentile in South Dakota. Comparing this to the national average of 50.61 inches and South Dakota’s average of 34.67 inches, Brookings experiences less rainfall, making it an ideal location for solar panel installation.
Brookings’s UV Rating
Brookings South Dakota had an average UV rating of 3.61 in the last year, placing it in the 24th percentile nationwide and the 11th percentile in South Dakota. When compared to the national average of 4.29 and South Dakota’s average of 3.96, Brookings gets a good amount of sunlight, making it a suitable environment for harnessing solar energy.
Brookings’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 48% cloud cover in the last year, Brookings ranks in the 67th percentile nationwide and the 95th percentile in South Dakota. In comparison, the national average for cloud cover is 44.46%, and South Dakota’s average is 40.74%. The lower levels of cloud cover in Brookings make it a prime location for solar panel installation.
Brookings South Dakota Electricity Costs
Brookings South Dakota residents pay about $0.11/kw for electricity, positioning it in the 24th percentile nationwide and the 30th percentile in South Dakota. In contrast, the national average for residential electricity is $0.13/kw, and South Dakota’s average is also $0.11/kw. With relatively lower electricity costs, installing solar panels in Brookings can lead to substantial long-term savings on energy bills.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Brookings South Dakota?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Brookings South Dakota, 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:
- Brookings South Dakota receives slightly less precipitation than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Brookings South Dakota are slightly lower than the national average, but still suitable for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Brookings South Dakota is slightly higher than the national average, with variations throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Brookings South Dakota pay slightly less for electricity compared to the national average, which is beneficial for savings with solar panels.
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 amount needed from the grid and leading to savings on electricity bills.
- With lower electricity rates in Brookings South Dakota, the savings may be slightly lower compared to other locations.
After analyzing the data, it appears that it would take approximately 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Brookings South Dakota. This means that after this period, the savings on electricity bills will start to accumulate and offset the investment. Since solar panels have a lifespan of 25-30 years, there will be many years of savings to enjoy after the break-even point. This makes investing in solar panels in Brookings South Dakota a wise financial and environmentally friendly decision.
Investing in solar power in Brookings South Dakota
By analyzing the weather trends in Brookings South Dakota and comparing them to the electricity costs, it is clear that investing in solar panels can result in significant long-term savings. With lower precipitation, good UV ratings, and favorable cloud cover, Brookings provides an ideal environment for solar energy production. Additionally, the relatively low electricity costs in the area further contribute to the financial benefits of installing solar panels. Based on the data, it is estimated that it would take approximately 6-7 years to break even on the initial cost of the solar system, after which substantial savings on electricity bills can be enjoyed. Therefore, choosing to invest in solar panels in Brookings South Dakota is not only economically wise but also environmentally friendly.