Overview
In Bloomington Illinois, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant financial savings over time. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to the area, we estimate how long it will take for you to break even on your investment in a solar system. With the potential for lower electricity bills and a more sustainable lifestyle, going solar in Bloomington is a smart choice for your wallet and the environment.
Bloomington Illinois Weather Trends
Bloomington Precipitation
With Bloomington Illinois receiving 47.4 inches of precipitation in the last year, it falls just below the national average of 50.61 inches and slightly above Illinois’s average of 45.69 inches. This means that Bloomington residents can expect a good amount of rainfall to help keep their solar panels clean and functioning efficiently.
Bloomington’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 3.97, Bloomington Illinois is on par with the national average of 4.29 but slightly lower than Illinois’s average of 4.21. This means that residents can benefit from a decent amount of sun exposure, which is crucial for maximizing the energy production of solar panels. Additionally, the average max UV rating of 4.3 indicates even more potential for harnessing solar energy.
Bloomington’s Cloud Cover
While Bloomington Illinois has an average cloud cover of 48%, which is slightly above the national average of 44.46% and well above Illinois’s average of 44.03%, there are still plenty of clear days for optimal solar energy absorption. With 96 days of minimal cloud cover and 85 days of maximum cloud cover, residents can take advantage of a variety of weather conditions for solar energy production.
Bloomington Illinois Electricity Costs
At $0.1/kw, Bloomington Illinois residents pay less for electricity compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and Illinois’s average of $0.12/kw. By investing in solar panels, residents can further reduce their electricity bills and potentially even generate excess energy to sell back to the grid, ultimately saving money and promoting a cleaner environment.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Bloomington Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Bloomington 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:
- Bloomington Illinois gets slightly less rain than the national average, and it has good UV ratings for generating solar power. However, there is some cloud cover throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Bloomington Illinois pay a bit less 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 need to buy electricity from the grid.
- With Bloomington Illinois’ lower electricity rates, the savings might not be as significant as in other areas, but they will still contribute to recovering the installation cost.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 8-10 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 8-10 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start adding up and contributing to the investment’s pay off. And don’t forget, solar panels have a long lifespan, so you’ll continue to benefit from those savings for many years after reaching the break-even point. It’s a wise choice for saving money and supporting the environment in the long run!
Investing in solar power in Bloomington Illinois
By analyzing the weather trends and electricity costs in Bloomington Illinois, it is clear that investing in solar panels can lead to significant financial savings over time. With favorable UV ratings for solar energy generation, along with slightly lower electricity costs compared to the national average, residents can expect to break even on their solar system installation within 8-10 years. This means that not only will you save money on electricity bills, but you will also be contributing to a cleaner environment for years to come. Going solar in Bloomington is not only a smart choice for your wallet but also for the planet.