Overview
Harnessing the power of solar energy in O’Fallon, Illinois can lead to significant savings on your electricity bills. By examining local weather data and electricity costs, we can see how installing solar panels on your home can pay off in the long run. With ample sunlight throughout the year and rising electricity rates, investing in a solar system can help you break even in a reasonable amount of time and enjoy cost savings for years to come.
O Fallon Illinois Weather Trends
O Fallon Precipitation
With 46.02 inches of precipitation in the last year, O Fallon Illinois is in the 40th percentile nationally and the 67th percentile in Illinois. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and Illinois’s average of 45.69 inches, O Fallon experiences a moderate amount of rainfall, making it ideal for solar energy generation.
O Fallon’s UV Rating
Having an average UV rating of 4.56 places O Fallon in the 66th percentile in the nation and the 89th percentile in Illinois. With an average max UV rating of 4.98, O Fallon is in the 56th percentile nationally and the 84th percentile in Illinois. These UV ratings are higher than the national average of 4.29 and 4.61 and Illinois’s average of 4.21 and 4.53, respectively, indicating ample sunlight for effective solar panel performance.
O Fallon’s Cloud Cover
At an average of 38% cloud cover, O Fallon is in the 22nd percentile nationally and the 2nd percentile in Illinois. With variations in cloud cover throughout the year, O Fallon had a significant number of days with optimal conditions for solar energy generation. This lower cloud cover percentage compared to the national average of 44.46% and Illinois’s average of 44.03% ensures consistent solar panel performance.
O Fallon Illinois Electricity Costs
O Fallon residents pay about $0.1/kw for electricity, placing them in the 6th percentile nationally and the 4th percentile in Illinois. With lower electricity costs compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and Illinois’s average of $0.12/kw, investing in solar panels can lead to substantial long-term savings on energy bills. By harnessing the abundant sunlight in O Fallon, residents can enjoy the financial benefits of solar energy for years to come.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in O Fallon Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in O Fallon 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:
- O Fallon Illinois receives slightly less precipitation than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in O Fallon Illinois are slightly above the national average, which is good for generating solar power efficiently.
- Cloud cover in O Fallon Illinois is lower than the national average, with a good number of days having clear skies for solar panels to work effectively.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in O Fallon Illinois pay slightly less for electricity compared to the national average, which means the savings from using solar power may be slightly lower.
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 to be purchased from the grid.
- With electricity costs in O Fallon Illinois, the savings might take a bit longer to cover the initial cost of the solar panels.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it could take around 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in O Fallon Illinois. This means that after that period, the money you save on electricity bills will start to add up and pay off the investment. And remember, solar panels have a long lifespan, so you’ll continue to reap those savings for many years to come. It’s a wise investment in both your finances and the environment!
Investing in solar power in O Fallon Illinois
Investing in solar panels in O’Fallon, Illinois can be a smart financial decision. With ample sunlight, moderate precipitation, and lower-than-average electricity costs, residents can expect to break even on their investment in about 6-7 years. After that, the savings on electricity bills will continue to accumulate for many years, making solar energy a wise investment for both your finances and the environment.