Overview
If you’re an Allentown Pennsylvania resident looking to save money on your electricity bills, installing solar panels on your home could be a smart investment. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to Allentown, we will show you how much you can potentially save with a solar system. With the cost of solar panels decreasing and tax incentives available, you may be surprised at how quickly you can break even and start enjoying the financial benefits of solar power.
Allentown Pennsylvania Weather Trends
Allentown Precipitation
In the last year, Allentown Pennsylvania received 70.39 inches of precipitation, ranking in the 89th percentile in the nation and the 90th percentile in Pennsylvania. Comparatively, the national average for total precipitation is 50.61 inches, while Pennsylvania’s average is 59.53 inches. With higher than average precipitation levels, harnessing solar power in Allentown can be a great way to take advantage of this natural resource.
Allentown’s UV Rating
Allentown Pennsylvania had an average UV rating of 3.75 in the last year, placing it in the 32nd percentile in the nation and the 58th percentile in Pennsylvania. In comparison, the national average for UV rating is 4.29, while Pennsylvania’s average is 3.82. Additionally, Allentown had an average max UV rating of 4.02, also ranking in the 32nd percentile nationally and the 47th percentile within Pennsylvania. With moderate UV levels, installing solar panels in Allentown can still be a viable option for generating clean energy.
Allentown’s Cloud Cover
Over the past year, Allentown Pennsylvania had an average of 48% cloud cover, placing it in the 66th percentile in the nation and the 29th percentile in Pennsylvania. In comparison, the national average for cloud cover is 44.46%, while Pennsylvania’s average is 51.8%. With a mix of varying cloud cover throughout the year, Allentown presents a suitable environment for solar panel installation, allowing residents to benefit from solar energy production.
Allentown Pennsylvania Electricity Costs
Allentown Pennsylvania residents pay about $0.13/kw for electricity, positioning the city in the 76th percentile in the nation and the 60th percentile in Pennsylvania. Interestingly, both the national average and state average for residential electricity costs are also $0.13/kw. With stable electricity rates and the potential for savings through solar power, residents in Allentown can make a smart financial decision by investing in solar panels for their homes.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Allentown Pennsylvania?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Allentown, Pennsylvania, 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:
- Allentown gets more rain than the national average, but it still has enough sunshine for solar panels to work effectively.
- The UV ratings are slightly lower than the national average, but still suitable for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover is slightly higher than the national average, with varying degrees throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Allentown pay the same rate for electricity as the national average, which is $0.13/kw.
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 from the grid.
- Given Allentown’s electricity costs, the savings will contribute significantly to the payback period.
After calculating, it seems that it would take approximately 6 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 6 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to accumulate and offset the investment. Additionally, considering the long lifespan of solar panels, there will be years of continued savings beyond the initial payback period. Investing in solar energy is a wise decision both financially and environmentally!
Investing in solar power in Allentown Pennsylvania
In conclusion, installing solar panels in Allentown, Pennsylvania can be a beneficial investment for residents looking to save money on electricity bills. With higher than average precipitation levels and moderate UV ratings, along with stable electricity costs, the environment in Allentown is conducive to solar panel installation. Based on calculations, it could take approximately 6 years to break even on the initial cost of a solar system, after which residents can enjoy continued savings for years to come. Overall, investing in solar energy in Allentown is a smart choice financially and environmentally.