Overview
Are you a Blue Island Illinois resident looking to save money on your electricity bills? Installing solar panels on your home could be the answer you’re looking for. By analyzing weather data specific to Blue Island, including inches of precipitation, UV ratings, and cloud cover, we can estimate the financial benefits of going solar. With a breakdown of the cost of a solar system and the time it takes to break even, you’ll see how investing in solar power can lead to long-term savings on your energy expenses.
Blue Island Illinois Weather Trends
Blue Island Precipitation
With Blue Island Illinois receiving 46.2 inches of precipitation in the last year, it falls in the 40th percentile in the nation and the 67th percentile in Illinois. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches, Blue Island experiences slightly less precipitation. However, it surpasses Illinois’s average of 45.69 inches, making it a feasible location for harnessing solar energy.
Blue Island’s UV Rating
Blue Island Illinois boasts an average UV rating of 3.79 in the last year, placing it in the 35th percentile nationally and the 11th percentile within Illinois. Although it may have lower UV levels compared to the national average of 4.29, and Illinois’s average of 4.21, solar panels can still efficiently generate electricity. Blue Island also had an average max UV rating of 4.08, further indicating the suitability for solar energy production.
Blue Island’s Cloud Cover
Blue Island Illinois experiences an average of 51% cloud cover, ranking it in the 76th percentile nationally and the 95th percentile within Illinois. Despite having slightly higher cloud cover than the national average of 44.46% and Illinois’s average of 44.03%, there are still many clear days suitable for solar panel operation. With 96 days having minimal cloud cover, residents can benefit from consistent solar energy production.
Blue Island Illinois Electricity Costs
Blue Island Illinois residents pay around $0.13/kw for electricity, placing it in the 77th percentile nationally and the 71st percentile within Illinois. Although the cost is equal to the national average, it surpasses Illinois’s average of $0.12/kw. By investing in solar panels, homeowners can take control of their energy expenses and reduce their reliance on grid electricity, ultimately leading to long-term financial savings.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Blue Island Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Blue Island, 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:
- Blue Island gets slightly less rain than the national average, and it receives enough sunlight for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Blue Island are lower than the national average, but still good for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Blue Island is slightly higher than the national average, with varying percentages throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Blue Island pay the national average price for electricity.
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 solar system generates electricity, reducing the amount needed from the grid.
- With Blue Island’s average electricity rates, the savings are consistent with the national average.
After analyzing the data, it appears that it would take approximately 8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 8 years, the savings on electricity bills will start to accumulate and reimburse the investment. Additionally, since solar panels have a long lifespan, you can continue to enjoy these savings for many years beyond the payoff period. Investing in solar panels is not only economically beneficial but also environmentally friendly in the long run.
Investing in solar power in Blue Island Illinois
After analyzing the weather data specific to Blue Island, Illinois, and considering the electricity costs for residents in the area, it is clear that investing in solar panels can lead to significant long-term savings on energy expenses. With slightly lower precipitation levels, good UV ratings for solar power generation, and manageable cloud cover throughout the year, Blue Island provides a suitable environment for harnessing solar energy. By breaking down the costs and time it takes to recoup the initial investment in a solar system, it is estimated that residents could expect to break even in approximately 8 years. This means that after this period, the savings on electricity bills will start to accumulate, making solar panel installation a financially wise decision for Blue Island Illinois residents looking to reduce their reliance on grid electricity and save money over the long term.