Overview
Living on Blakely Island, Washington, can be expensive, especially when it comes to electricity bills. With high levels of precipitation and cloudy days, residents often rely heavily on traditional energy sources, leading to costly utility payments. However, by investing in solar panels, residents can take advantage of the island’s average high UV ratings, reducing their dependence on the grid and saving money in the long run. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs, we can estimate the cost of a solar system and determine how quickly it will pay for itself, making the switch to solar a financially savvy decision for Blakely Island residents.
Blakely Island Washington Weather Trends
Blakely Island Precipitation
Living in Blakely Island, Washington means experiencing 32.2 inches of precipitation annually. Compared to the rest of the country, the island falls in the 14th percentile, while in Washington, it ranks in the 39th percentile in terms of total annual precipitation. With the national average sitting at 50.61 inches and the state’s average at 45.64 inches, it’s clear that Blakely Island sees less rainfall, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy.
Blakely Island’s UV Rating
Blakely Island boasts an average UV rating of 3.06, placing it in the 4th percentile nationally and the 3rd percentile in Washington. When compared to the national average of 4.29 and the state’s average of 3.64, it’s evident that the island receives a sufficient amount of sunlight for efficient solar panel operation. Additionally, with an average max UV rating of 3.03, Blakely Island is in the 9th percentile in the nation and the 3rd percentile in Washington, indicating ample sunlight for solar energy production.
Blakely Island’s Cloud Cover
Blakely Island experiences an average cloud cover of 53%, putting it in the 84th percentile nationally and the 55th percentile in Washington. The national average for cloud cover is 44.46%, while Washington’s average stands at 49.1%. With varying levels of cloud cover throughout the year, Blakely Island residents can still benefit from solar energy generation, especially with 73 days of minimal cloud cover and 104 days of mostly cloudy conditions.
Blakely Island Washington Electricity Costs
Residents of Blakely Island pay around $0.15/kw for electricity, which is higher than the national average of $0.13/kw and significantly more than Washington’s average of $0.1/kw. By switching to solar energy, homeowners can reduce their reliance on the grid and save money in the long run. With the island’s favorable weather conditions and high electricity costs, investing in solar panels is a financially savvy decision for Blakely Island residents.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Blakely Island Washington?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Blakely Island, 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:
- Blakely Island gets less precipitation than the national average, making it a suitable location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings are slightly lower than the national average, but still good enough for generating solar power effectively.
- Cloud cover is slightly higher than the national average but varies throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Blakely Island pay slightly more 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 amount needed to be purchased from the grid.
- With slightly higher electricity rates in Blakely Island, the savings are significant.
After calculating the numbers, it appears that it would take around 4-6 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 pay off the investment. Additionally, with solar panels lasting for 25-30 years, the savings will continue well into the future. Investing in solar panels is a wise choice for saving money and contributing to a cleaner environment!
Investing in solar power in Blakely Island Washington
Switching to solar energy on Blakely Island, Washington, is not only an environmentally friendly choice but also a smart financial decision for residents. With favorable weather conditions such as low precipitation, high UV ratings, and varying cloud cover, solar panels can be highly effective in generating electricity. Additionally, with electricity costs higher than the national average, investing in solar panels can lead to significant savings in the long run. By analyzing the data, it is clear that the initial cost of a solar system can be recouped in around 4-6 years, after which residents can enjoy ongoing savings on electricity bills. Making the switch to solar is a wise investment for the future of Blakely Island residents.