Overview
In Broughton, Illinois, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant long-term financial savings. By analyzing weather data collected over a year, we can demonstrate the reliability of solar energy in this area. With the average cost of electricity factored in, we can estimate how quickly you can break even on the initial cost of a solar system. This article will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about transitioning to solar power for your home in Broughton.
Broughton Illinois Weather Trends
Broughton Precipitation
With 63.21 inches of precipitation in the last year, Broughton Illinois stands out in the nation, ranking in the 77th percentile and the 97th percentile in Illinois. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and Illinois’s average of 45.69 inches, it’s clear that Broughton receives more than enough rain to generate solar power efficiently. By harnessing this natural resource, you can save significantly on your electricity bills.
Broughton’s UV Rating
Broughton Illinois boasts an average UV rating of 4.5, placing it in the 64th percentile nationally and the 83rd percentile in Illinois. The national average UV rating is 4.29, and Illinois’s average is 4.21. Additionally, the average max UV rating in Broughton is 4.88, surpassing the national average of 4.61 and Illinois’s average of 4.53. With such high UV ratings, solar panels in Broughton can harness plenty of sunlight to power your home efficiently.
Broughton’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 42% cloud cover, Broughton Illinois ranks in the 39th percentile nationally and the 31st percentile in Illinois. In comparison, the national average for cloud cover is 44.46%, and Illinois’s average is 44.03%. Broughton also experiences a mix of cloud cover throughout the year, with various opportunities to capture solar energy effectively. By utilizing solar panels, you can make the most of these conditions to generate clean, renewable energy for your home.
Broughton Illinois Electricity Costs
Residents of Broughton pay around $0.13/kw for electricity, placing the town in the 69th percentile nationally and the 61st percentile in Illinois. Although the national average for residential electricity is the same at $0.13/kw, Illinois’s average is slightly lower at $0.12/kw. By switching to solar power, you can reduce your reliance on traditional grid electricity and lock in savings as you generate your electricity from the abundant sunlight in Broughton.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Broughton Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Broughton 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:
- Broughton Illinois receives more rain than the national average, but still has enough sunlight for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Broughton Illinois are slightly higher than the national average, making it a good location for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Broughton Illinois is slightly below the national average, with variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Broughton Illinois pay the national average price 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, reducing the need to buy as much from the grid.
- With the average electricity rates in Broughton Illinois, the savings will gradually add up over time.
After calculations, it seems that it would take about 9 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 9 years, the money saved on electricity bills will surpass the investment made initially. Given that solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, there will be many years of saving money and benefiting from the investment. It’s a wise financial and environmentally friendly choice!
Investing in solar power in Broughton Illinois
After analyzing the weather trends and electricity costs in Broughton, Illinois, it is clear that investing in solar panels for your home can lead to significant financial savings in the long run. With abundant sunlight, slightly higher UV ratings, and below-average cloud cover, Broughton provides an ideal environment for harnessing solar energy. By switching to solar power, residents can expect to break even on the initial cost of a solar system in about 9 years, with many more years of saving money on electricity bills ahead. Making the transition to solar power is not only a smart financial decision but also an environmentally friendly choice for the future.