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Solar and Electricity Data for Taos Ski Valley, NM: Does a Solar Installation Make Sense?

Taos Ski Valley, NM at a glance

Overall Cloud Coverage Precipitation UV Index Electricity Cost
6.4/10 9.5/10 9.4/10 3.2/10 9.7/10
Pretty Good 27% daily 2 inches monthly 3.7 on average 0.18/kw

Overview

Living in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, provides a perfect opportunity to harness the power of the sun with solar panels on your home. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs, we can show you the significant financial benefits of investing in solar energy. With abundant sunshine and minimal cloud cover, Taos Ski Valley is an ideal location for solar panels, allowing you to save money on your electric bill and break even on your investment in a short amount of time. Let us show you how solar power can not only benefit the environment but also your wallet.

Taos Ski Valley New Mexico Weather Trends

Taos Ski Valley Precipitation

With only 19.94 inches of precipitation in the last year, Taos Ski Valley is in the 6th percentile in the nation and the 86th percentile in New Mexico. This means that Taos Ski Valley receives significantly less precipitation than both the national average of 50.61 inches and New Mexico’s average of 13.78 inches. By harnessing solar energy, residents can take advantage of the abundant sunshine and offset the low levels of rainfall to power their homes sustainably.

Taos Ski Valley’s UV Rating

Taos Ski Valley had an average UV rating of 3.74 in the last year, placing it in the 32nd percentile in the nation and the 9th percentile in New Mexico. While this indicates lower UV exposure compared to the national average of 4.29 and New Mexico’s average of 4.67, the abundance of sunlight still makes Taos Ski Valley an ideal location for solar panel installation. Residents can benefit from capturing this solar energy to reduce their reliance on traditional electricity sources.

Taos Ski Valley’s Cloud Cover

With an average of 27% cloud cover in the last year, Taos Ski Valley is in the 5th percentile in the nation and the 89th percentile in New Mexico. Despite having lower cloud cover compared to the national average of 44.46% and New Mexico’s average of 22.75%, Taos Ski Valley still experiences some cloudy days. However, the majority of days have minimal cloud cover, making it a prime location for solar panel installation to maximize energy production and savings.

Taos Ski Valley New Mexico Electricity Costs

Residents of Taos Ski Valley pay about $0.18/kw for electricity, placing them in the 97th percentile in the nation and the 90th percentile in New Mexico. While electricity costs are higher in Taos Ski Valley compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and New Mexico’s average of $0.15/kw, investing in solar panels can help offset these costs in the long run. By generating their own clean energy, residents can reduce their electricity bills and potentially even earn credits through net metering programs.

When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Taos Ski Valley New Mexico?

Considering the weather and electricity costs in Taos Ski Valley New Mexico, 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:

  • Taos Ski Valley New Mexico gets less precipitation than the national average, which is good for solar panels.
  • The UV ratings in Taos Ski Valley New Mexico are slightly below the national average but still sufficient for generating solar power.
  • Cloud cover in Taos Ski Valley New Mexico is lower than the national average, with a good number of days having minimal cloud cover.

Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:

  • Residents in Taos Ski Valley New Mexico pay more 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 amount needed from the grid, especially important in areas with higher electricity costs like Taos Ski Valley New Mexico.

After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 6-8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. That means, after 6-8 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 continue to benefit from those savings for many years after that. It’s a smart way to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment!

Investing in solar power in Taos Ski Valley New Mexico

In conclusion, living in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, provides an excellent opportunity to invest in solar panels for your home. With abundant sunshine, minimal cloud cover, and higher than average electricity costs, residents can expect to break even on their solar panel investment in about 6-8 years. By harnessing solar power, not only can homeowners save money on their electric bills, but they can also contribute to a cleaner environment for years to come. Consider the financial and environmental benefits of switching to solar energy in Taos Ski Valley.