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Solar and Electricity Data for Benicia, CA: Does a Solar Installation Make Sense?

Benicia, CA at a glance

Overall Cloud Coverage Precipitation UV Index Electricity Cost
7/10 9.2/10 8.9/10 6.9/10 9.9/10
Excellent 31% daily 2 inches monthly 4.7 on average 0.24/kw

Overview

In Benicia, California, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant financial benefits. By analyzing weather data and electricity cost, we can show you how much money you can save over time with a solar system. With the right information, you can make an informed decision about whether solar is the right choice for your home in Benicia.

Benicia California Weather Trends

Benicia Precipitation

With just 29.11 inches of precipitation in the last year, Benicia California is in the 11th percentile in the nation and the 62nd percentile in California. This means that Benicia receives less rainfall compared to most areas in the country and the state. Considering the national average for total precipitation is 50.61 inches and California’s average is 31.54 inches, installing solar panels in Benicia can be a smart choice to take advantage of the sunny weather.

Benicia’s UV Rating

Benicia California had an average UV rating of 4.65 in the last year, ranking it in the 69th percentile in the nation and the 36th percentile in California. With an average max UV rating of 5.16, Benicia is in the 60th percentile in the nation and the 46th percentile in California. These high UV ratings indicate that Benicia enjoys plenty of sunny days, perfect conditions for generating solar energy. Compared to the national average UV rating of 4.29 and California’s average of 4.76, Benicia is an ideal location for solar panel installation.

Benicia’s Cloud Cover

Benicia California had an average of 31% cloud cover in the last year, placing it in the 8th percentile in the nation and the 57th percentile in California. This low cloud cover percentage means that Benicia experiences clear skies for a significant portion of the year, allowing for more sunlight to reach solar panels. With 196 days of minimal cloud cover, 85 days with moderate cloud cover, and only 39 days of heavier cloud cover, Benicia offers great conditions for maximizing solar energy production.

Benicia California Electricity Costs

Residents in Benicia California pay about $0.24 per kilowatt-hour for electricity, ranking the city in the 99th percentile in the nation and the 96th percentile in California. In comparison, the national average for residential electricity is $0.13/kw, while California’s average is $0.21/kw. With electricity costs higher in Benicia than the national and state averages, investing in solar panels can lead to significant long-term savings on energy bills.

When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Benicia California?

Considering the weather and electricity costs in Benicia California, 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:

  • Benicia California receives less precipitation than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
  • The UV ratings in Benicia California are higher than the national average, ideal for generating solar power efficiently.
  • Cloud cover in Benicia California is lower than the national average, with a good number of sunny days throughout the year.

Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:

  • Residents in Benicia California pay more for electricity compared to the national average, at $0.24/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:

  • By generating electricity with the solar panels, residents can reduce their reliance on the grid and save money on electricity bills.
  • Given the higher electricity costs in Benicia California, the savings from using solar power would be significant.

After analyzing the data, it seems that it would take approximately 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels through savings on electricity bills. This means that after this period, residents will start reaping the benefits of their investment, with continued savings for many years to come due to the long lifespan of solar panels. It’s a wise financial decision that also contributes to a greener environment!

Investing in solar power in Benicia California

Based on the analysis of weather trends and electricity costs in Benicia, California, it is evident that installing solar panels can result in significant long-term financial benefits for residents. With lower precipitation, higher UV ratings, and minimal cloud cover, Benicia offers ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production. Additionally, the higher electricity costs in the city make investing in solar panels a smart choice for saving money on energy bills. By breaking down the costs and calculating the potential savings, it appears that residents could expect to break even on their solar installation investment in approximately 6-7 years. This means that after this initial period, homeowners can enjoy continued savings and contribute to a greener environment for many years to come. Overall, installing solar panels in Benicia, California, is a wise financial decision with both short-term and long-term benefits.