Overview
Are you tired of constantly rising electricity bills in Ashland, Illinois? Installing solar panels on your home can help you save money in the long run. In this article, we will break down the cost of a solar system and estimate how long it will take for you to break even based on weather data collected over 365 days in Ashland. With the financial benefits of solar energy, you can start saving money on your electricity bill while also helping the environment.
Ashland Illinois Weather Trends
Ashland Precipitation
With Ashland receiving 44.77 inches of precipitation in the last year, the city is in the 37th percentile in the nation and the 59th percentile in Illinois. Comparing this to the national average of 50.61 inches and Illinois’s average of 45.69 inches, Ashland’s precipitation levels are slightly below average. However, with solar panels, you can still take advantage of the sunlight that does break through the clouds to generate electricity for your home.
Ashland’s UV Rating
Ashland had an average UV rating of 4.2 in the last year, placing it in the 54th percentile in the nation and the 58th percentile in Illinois. Although slightly below the national average of 4.29 and Illinois’s average of 4.21, Ashland still receives a decent amount of sunlight. The average max UV rating of 4.62 indicates potential for solar energy production. Installing solar panels in Ashland can help you harness this sunlight to reduce your reliance on traditional electricity sources.
Ashland’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 45% cloud cover in the last year, Ashland sits in the 55th percentile in the nation and the 62nd percentile in Illinois. While the city does have its fair share of cloudy days, there are still plenty of opportunities for solar energy production. The variety of cloud cover percentages throughout the year allows for a mix of sunny and overcast days, making solar panels a viable option for sustainable energy in Ashland.
Ashland Illinois Electricity Costs
Residents in Ashland pay about $0.13/kw for electricity, ranking the city in the 67th percentile in the nation and the 54th percentile in Illinois. Even though the cost is on par with the national average, it is slightly higher than Illinois’s average of $0.12/kw. By installing solar panels on your home in Ashland, you can offset these electricity costs and potentially save money in the long run while reducing your environmental impact.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Ashland Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Ashland, 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:
- Ashland gets slightly less precipitation than the national average, making it a good environment for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Ashland are close to the national average, providing good conditions for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Ashland is also around the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Ashland pay the national average for electricity, 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.
- With the national average electricity rates, the savings will be consistent over time.
After analyzing the data, it seems that it would take around 7-8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after this period, the savings on electricity bills will start to accumulate and make up for the investment. And considering that solar panels have a long lifespan, you will continue to benefit from these savings for many years to come. It’s a wise decision to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment!
Investing in solar power in Ashland Illinois
After analyzing the weather data and electricity costs in Ashland, Illinois, it is clear that installing solar panels can be a cost-effective investment. With slightly lower precipitation levels, decent UV ratings, and moderate cloud cover, Ashland provides a suitable environment for solar energy production. Additionally, residents in Ashland pay average electricity rates, making solar panels a viable option to offset these costs. Based on the data, it is estimated that it would take around 7-8 years to break even on the initial investment in solar panels. This means that not only will you save money on electricity bills in the long run, but you will also be contributing to a cleaner environment. Installing solar panels in Ashland, Illinois is a wise decision that can lead to long-term financial and environmental benefits.