Overview
Living in George Washington comes with its fair share of benefits, including plenty of sunshine to harness for energy savings. By installing solar panels on your home, you can take advantage of the abundant sunlight in the area to significantly reduce your electricity costs. In this article, we will explore the financial benefits of investing in a solar system, breaking down the costs and estimating the time it will take to break even based on a year of weather data and electricity rates specific to George Washington.
George Washington Weather Trends
George Precipitation
With only 13.53 inches of precipitation in the last year, George Washington is in the 3rd percentile in the nation and the 10th percentile in Washington. This means that George receives significantly less rainfall compared to both the national average of 50.61 inches and Washington’s average of 45.64 inches.
George’s UV Rating
George Washington had an average UV rating of 3.98 in the last year, placing it in the 44th percentile in the nation and the 85th percentile in Washington. Although this may seem moderate, it indicates ample sunlight for solar energy production when compared to the national average of 4.29 and Washington’s average of 3.64.
Additionally, George had an average max UV rating of 4.34, ranking in the 41st percentile in the nation and the 76th percentile in Washington. This suggests even more solar energy potential, especially when considering the national average of 4.61 and Washington’s average of 3.97 for average max UV rating.
George’s Cloud Cover
Despite having an average of 38% cloud cover in the last year, George Washington still has lower cloud cover compared to the national average of 44.46% and Washington’s average of 49.1%. With a good number of days featuring clear skies, there is plenty of sunlight available for solar panel efficiency.
George Washington Electricity Costs
George Washington residents pay about $0.06/kw for electricity, which is remarkably low compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and Washington’s average of $0.1/kw. This means that by installing solar panels, residents can capitalize on the region’s favorable weather conditions to generate their own electricity and further reduce their energy costs in the long run.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in George Washington?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in George Washington, 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:
- In the last year, George Washington received less precipitation than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in George Washington are slightly lower than the national average, but still sufficient for generating solar power.
- The cloud cover in George Washington is lower than the national average, with most days having less than 25% cloud cover.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in George Washington pay 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, reducing the need to purchase electricity from the grid.
- With George Washington’s lower electricity rates, the savings are still significant.
After analyzing the data, it appears that it would take approximately 5 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 5 years, the money saved on electricity bills will begin to offset the investment. Additionally, since solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings will continue for many years beyond that initial period. Investing in solar panels is a wise choice for saving money and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Investing in solar power in George Washington
Investing in solar panels in George Washington is a smart financial decision. With lower than average precipitation, ample sunlight, and reduced cloud cover, the region offers ideal conditions for solar energy production. Coupled with the low electricity costs in the area, homeowners can expect to break even on their investment in approximately 5 years. Not only will solar panels help save money on electricity bills, but they also contribute to environmental sustainability. By harnessing the power of the sun, residents of George Washington can enjoy long-term financial benefits while reducing their carbon footprint.