Overview
Living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, you may be wondering if investing in solar panels for your home is worth it. By analyzing data on local weather patterns and electricity costs, this article will show you the financial benefits of making the switch to solar energy. With a breakdown of the costs of a solar system and an estimation of the payback period, you will see how installing solar panels can help you save money in the long run.
Bethlehem Pennsylvania Weather Trends
Bethlehem Precipitation
With Bethlehem receiving 62.1 inches of precipitation in the last year, it falls above the national average of 50.61 inches. Compared to the rest of Pennsylvania, Bethlehem is slightly higher than the state average of 59.53 inches. The abundance of precipitation in Bethlehem presents an opportunity to harness solar energy efficiently, even on cloudy days.
Bethlehem’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 3.83, Bethlehem may seem lower than the national average of 4.29. However, it is important to note that Bethlehem’s UV rating is above Pennsylvania’s average of 3.82. This means that Bethlehem receives a decent amount of sunlight, making it a viable location for installing solar panels and generating renewable energy.
Bethlehem’s Cloud Cover
Despite the average cloud cover of 47% in Bethlehem, which is lower than Pennsylvania’s average of 51.8%, the city experienced a variety of cloud cover throughout the year. With numerous days having low cloud cover percentages, there are plenty of sunny days to harness solar power effectively. This makes Bethlehem an ideal location for solar panel installation.
Bethlehem Pennsylvania Electricity Costs
Residents of Bethlehem pay $0.13/kw for electricity, aligning with the national average. Compared to the rest of Pennsylvania, Bethlehem’s electricity costs are slightly lower than the state average of $0.13/kw. By investing in solar panels, Bethlehem residents can take advantage of the sun’s energy to offset electricity costs and potentially save money in the long run.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Bethlehem Pennsylvania?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Bethlehem, 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:
- Bethlehem gets slightly more rain than the national average, but it still has enough sunlight for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Bethlehem are slightly lower than the national average, but they are still good for producing solar power.
- Cloud cover in Bethlehem is about average for the country, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Bethlehem pay the national average for electricity.
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, which means residents don’t need to buy as much from the grid.
- With the average electricity rates, the savings are steady.
After analyzing the numbers, 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 start to accumulate and pay off the investment. Additionally, since solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings will continue for many years beyond that initial period. It’s a wise decision to save money and contribute to environmental conservation simultaneously!
Investing in solar power in Bethlehem Pennsylvania
After analyzing the data on weather patterns, electricity costs, and the potential financial benefits of switching to solar energy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, it is evident that investing in solar panels for your home is a smart move. With the ability to harness solar power efficiently even on cloudy days and the opportunity to offset electricity costs, residents in Bethlehem can expect to break even on their solar installation in approximately 5 years. Not only will this investment save money in the long run, but it will also contribute to environmental conservation. Making the switch to solar energy in Bethlehem is a win-win situation that can benefit both your wallet and the planet.