Overview
In Effingham, Illinois, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant financial benefits. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs over 365 days, we have determined that Effingham experiences ample sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar energy. With a breakdown of the cost of a solar system and an estimate of the break-even point, you can see how investing in solar panels can save you money in the long run.
Effingham Illinois Weather Trends
Effingham Precipitation
Effingham Illinois received 52.36 inches of precipitation in the last year, which is higher than the national average of 50.61 inches. Compared to the rest of Illinois, Effingham ranks significantly higher in terms of precipitation. This abundance of rainfall can help keep solar panels clean and operating efficiently, maximizing their energy production potential.
Effingham’s UV Rating
Effingham Illinois boasts an average UV rating of 4.28, which is slightly lower than the national average but higher than the Illinois average. With ample sunlight exposure, Effingham is an excellent location for harnessing solar energy. Solar panels can generate more electricity when exposed to higher UV ratings, leading to greater energy savings for residents.
Effingham’s Cloud Cover
Effingham Illinois experiences an average cloud cover of 43%, which is slightly lower than both the national and Illinois averages. With a significant number of clear days throughout the year, solar panels can consistently absorb sunlight to produce energy. By taking advantage of days with minimal cloud cover, residents can optimize their solar energy generation and reduce their reliance on traditional grid electricity.
Effingham Illinois Electricity Costs
Effingham residents pay $0.12/kw for electricity, which is on par with the Illinois average and slightly below the national average. By investing in solar panels, residents can generate their own electricity and potentially save money on their utility bills over time. With affordable electricity rates and ample solar potential, Effingham homeowners can benefit financially from making the switch to solar energy.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Effingham Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Effingham 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:
- Effingham Illinois receives slightly more rainfall than the national average but still has enough sunlight for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Effingham Illinois are very close to the national average, making it a good location for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Effingham Illinois is slightly lower than the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Effingham Illinois 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, which means less need to purchase from the grid.
- Effingham Illinois’ electricity rates are slightly lower, impacting the overall savings and payback period.
After analyzing the data, it looks like it would take around 4-5 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Effingham Illinois. This means that after this period, the money saved on electricity bills will start to accumulate and offset the investment. Since solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings will continue for many years after the initial payback period. Investing in solar panels is a smart way to save money and contribute to a greener environment in Effingham Illinois.
Investing in solar power in Effingham Illinois
By analyzing the weather trends and electricity costs in Effingham, Illinois, it is clear that investing in solar panels can lead to significant financial benefits for residents. With ample sunlight exposure, low cloud cover, and slightly lower electricity costs compared to the national average, Effingham is an ideal location for harnessing solar energy. The break-even point for a standard solar system is estimated to be around 4-5 years, after which residents can start saving money on their utility bills. Overall, making the switch to solar energy in Effingham is a smart investment that can result in long-term financial savings and a positive impact on the environment.