Overview
Living in Breckenridge, Colorado, you may have noticed that your electricity bills can add up quickly, especially with the cold winter months. By installing solar panels on your home, you can take advantage of the abundant sunlight in the area while significantly reducing your electricity costs. In this article, we will analyze the weather data for Breckenridge, as well as the basic electricity cost, to show you the financial benefits of investing in a solar system for your home. We will break down the cost of the system and estimate how long it will take for you to break even, ultimately saving you money in the long run.
Breckenridge Colorado Weather Trends
Breckenridge Precipitation
With Breckenridge, Colorado receiving 38.32 inches of precipitation in the last year, you may be surprised to learn that this puts Breckenridge in the 24th percentile in the nation and the 76th percentile in Colorado. Comparing this to the national average of 50.61 inches and Colorado’s average of 35.53 inches, it’s clear that Breckenridge is a bit on the drier side. However, even with lower precipitation rates, installing solar panels can still be a financially wise decision.
Breckenridge’s UV Rating
On average, Breckenridge, Colorado had a UV rating of 2.42 in the last year, placing it in the 1st percentile in the nation and in Colorado. In comparison, the national average for UV rating is 4.29 and Colorado’s average is 4.02. Additionally, with an average max UV rating of 2.46, Breckenridge ranks in the 4th percentile nationally and in the 0th percentile in Colorado. Despite the lower UV ratings, solar panels are still a beneficial investment for your home in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 43% cloud cover in the last year, Breckenridge, Colorado falls in the 42nd percentile in the nation and the 90th percentile in Colorado. Comparatively, the national average for cloud cover is 44.46% and Colorado’s average is 33.65%. These statistics show that Breckenridge experiences more cloud cover than most areas, which can impact solar panel efficiency. However, there are still ample sunny days to take advantage of solar energy.
Breckenridge Colorado Electricity Costs
Residents in Breckenridge pay about $0.12/kw for electricity, placing the town in the 58th percentile in the nation and the 14th percentile in Colorado. When compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and Colorado’s average of $0.14/kw, it’s clear that Breckenridge residents already enjoy lower electricity costs. By installing solar panels, you can further reduce your dependency on traditional energy sources and ultimately save money in the long run.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Breckenridge Colorado?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Breckenridge Colorado, 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:
- Breckenridge Colorado receives less precipitation compared to the national average, making it conducive for solar panel installation.
- The UV ratings in Breckenridge Colorado are lower than the national average but still sufficient for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Breckenridge Colorado is slightly lower than the national average, with variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Breckenridge Colorado pay slightly 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, which reduces the amount bought from the grid, resulting in savings on electricity bills.
- Given the lower electricity rates in Breckenridge Colorado, the savings will gradually accumulate over time.
After analyzing the data, it is estimated that it would take approximately 7-8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after this initial period, the savings from reduced electricity bills will begin to compensate for the investment. Additionally, since solar panels have a long lifespan, the accumulated savings will continue for many years beyond the break-even point. Investing in solar panels proves to be a smart financial and environmental choice in Breckenridge Colorado.
Investing in solar power in Breckenridge Colorado
Investing in solar panels for your home in Breckenridge, Colorado can lead to significant financial savings in the long run. Despite the town’s lower precipitation and UV ratings, as well as higher cloud cover compared to national averages, solar panels remain a beneficial investment due to lower electricity costs. By analyzing the data, it is evident that the initial cost of installing solar panels can be recouped within 7-8 years, after which the savings from reduced electricity bills will continue to accumulate over the system’s lifespan. Ultimately, investing in solar panels in Breckenridge Colorado is a wise decision that not only saves you money but also benefits the environment.