Overview
Living in Bourbon, Missouri, can come with high electricity bills due to the hot summers and chilly winters. However, by investing in solar panels for your home, you can significantly reduce your energy costs and save money in the long run. In this article, we will break down the cost of a solar system for your home and estimate how long it will take for you to break even based on the specific weather data and electricity costs in Bourbon. Let’s explore how switching to solar energy can benefit both your wallet and the environment.
Bourbon Missouri Weather Trends
Bourbon Precipitation
With Bourbon, Missouri receiving 52.33 inches of precipitation in the last year, it falls above the national average of 50.61 inches but slightly below Missouri’s average of 47.04 inches. By harnessing solar energy, you can take advantage of the abundant sunlight during rainy seasons to power your home, potentially reducing your reliance on grid electricity.
Bourbon’s UV Rating
Considering Bourbon, Missouri’s average UV rating of 4.45, which is higher than the national average of 4.29 but lower than Missouri’s average of 4.59, installing solar panels can be incredibly efficient. The higher UV rating means more sunlight exposure, allowing your solar panels to generate more electricity and potentially save you more on your energy bills in the long run.
Bourbon’s Cloud Cover
Despite an average of 40% cloud cover in Bourbon, Missouri, which is slightly below the national average of 44.46% but higher than Missouri’s average of 39.07%, solar panels can still be a viable option. With various days of differing cloud cover percentages, having solar panels can help you make the most of sunny days and store excess energy for cloudier periods, ensuring a consistent power supply for your home.
Bourbon Missouri Electricity Costs
At $0.11/kw for electricity, Bourbon, Missouri, falls right in line with the state average but slightly below the national average of $0.13/kw. By switching to solar energy, you can not only decrease your dependency on traditional electricity sources but also potentially lock in lower electricity costs in the future, providing you with long-term savings while reducing your carbon footprint.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Bourbon Missouri?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Bourbon Missouri, 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:
- Bourbon Missouri receives slightly more precipitation than the national average, but still has enough sun for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Bourbon Missouri are close to the national average, making it a good location for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Bourbon Missouri is slightly lower than the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Bourbon Missouri pay slightly less for electricity compared to the national average, which can influence the savings from solar power.
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 from the grid and thus saving money.
- With slightly lower electricity rates in Bourbon Missouri, the savings may take a bit longer to cover the initial cost.
Based on the calculations, it looks like it could take around 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Bourbon Missouri. After this period, the savings on electricity bills will start to accumulate and pay off the investment. Since solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings and benefits will continue for many years to come. It’s a wise choice for saving money and contributing to a cleaner environment!
Investing in solar power in Bourbon Missouri
Switching to solar energy in Bourbon, Missouri, can be a smart financial and environmental decision. By investing in solar panels for your home, you can take advantage of the abundant sunlight even in a location with slightly above-average precipitation and cloud cover. With electricity costs in Bourbon aligning with the state average but falling below the national average, solar energy can help you save money in the long run. By breaking down the costs and estimated payback period, it’s clear that investing in solar panels can lead to significant savings over time while reducing your carbon footprint. Making the switch to solar power is not only beneficial for your wallet but also for the planet.