Overview
Are you a Wheaton Illinois resident looking to save money on your electricity bills? Installing solar panels on your home could be a wise investment. In this article, we will analyze weather data specific to Wheaton, such as inches of precipitation, average UV ratings, and cloud cover percentages, to show you how much sunlight your panels can harness. By breaking down the cost of a solar system and estimating the time it will take to break even, you’ll see just how beneficial switching to solar energy can be for your wallet.
Wheaton Illinois Weather Trends
Wheaton Precipitation
With 44.31 inches of precipitation in the last year, Wheaton falls in the 36th percentile nationwide and the 54th percentile in Illinois. Despite being below the national and state averages of 50.61 inches and 45.69 inches respectively, Wheaton still receives a decent amount of rain to benefit from the use of solar panels.
Wheaton’s UV Rating
Having an average UV rating of 3.83 places Wheaton in the 37th percentile across the country and the 15th percentile within Illinois. Although lower than the national and state averages of 4.29 and 4.21, Wheaton still gets a fair amount of sunlight throughout the year, making solar energy a viable option for residents looking to save on electricity costs.
Wheaton’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 47% cloud cover, Wheaton ranks in the 62nd percentile nationally and the 82nd percentile in Illinois. Even though there are days with significant cloud cover, the majority still offer clear skies for solar panels to capture sunlight efficiently. Residents can take advantage of the many days with low to moderate cloud cover to generate renewable energy.
Wheaton Illinois Electricity Costs
At $0.13/kw for electricity, Wheaton residents pay slightly more than the national average but remain on par with Illinois’s average of $0.12/kw. By switching to solar panels, residents can significantly reduce their electricity bills over time and contribute to a more sustainable environment for future generations.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Wheaton Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Wheaton, Illinois, 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:
- Wheaton gets slightly less rain than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Wheaton are a bit lower than the national average, but still sufficient for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Wheaton is around average for the country, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Wheaton pay an average price 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 as much from the grid.
- With Wheaton’s average electricity rates, the savings are moderate.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 10 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. That means, after 10 years, the money you save on electricity bills will start to add up and pay off the investment. And remember, solar panels last for a long time, so after that initial period, you’ll be enjoying those savings for many more years to come. It’s a wise investment for both your wallet and the environment!
Investing in solar power in Wheaton Illinois
Switching to solar energy in Wheaton, Illinois can be a smart choice to save money on electricity bills. By analyzing the weather trends specific to Wheaton, such as precipitation, UV ratings, and cloud cover, we can see that the city receives enough sunlight to make solar panels a worthwhile investment. With electricity costs slightly higher than the national average, residents can still benefit from significant savings over time by using solar power. At an average break-even period of around 10 years, investing in solar panels is not only financially prudent but also environmentally friendly, contributing to a sustainable future for generations to come.