Overview
Switching to solar energy in Buffalo Ohio can lead to significant savings on your electricity bills. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs, we can show you how investing in a solar system for your home can help you break even in a reasonable amount of time. This article will break down the cost of a solar system, taking into account factors such as average UV rating, cloud cover percentage, and precipitation, to demonstrate the financial benefits of making the switch to solar power.
Buffalo Ohio Weather Trends
Buffalo Precipitation
With 52.34 inches of precipitation in the last year, Buffalo Ohio sees slightly more rainfall compared to both the national average of 50.61 inches and Ohio’s average of 51.17 inches. While not the wettest location, the consistent rainfall provides an ample opportunity for solar panels to generate efficient energy throughout the year.
Buffalo’s UV Rating
Buffalo Ohio’s average UV rating of 3.85 places it slightly below the national average of 4.29. However, when compared to Ohio’s average of 3.84, Buffalo’s rating is not far off. With an average max UV rating of 4.21, Buffalo residents can still benefit from significant sunlight to power their solar panels efficiently.
Buffalo’s Cloud Cover
Buffalo Ohio experiences an average of 54% cloud cover, putting it above both the national average of 44.46% and Ohio’s average of 51.13%. Despite this, Buffalo still has a good number of days with optimal sunlight for solar energy production, with 74 days having between 0% and 25% cloud cover.
Buffalo Ohio Electricity Costs
Residents in Buffalo Ohio pay about $0.14/kw for electricity, which is a bit higher than the national average of $0.13/kw and Ohio’s average of $0.12/kw. By investing in a solar system for their home, residents can offset these costs and eventually achieve significant savings on their electricity bills over time.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Buffalo Ohio?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Buffalo Ohio, 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:
- Buffalo Ohio receives slightly more precipitation than the national average, but it still has enough sunlight for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Buffalo Ohio are slightly lower than the national average, but they are still conducive to generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Buffalo Ohio is higher than the national average, with some days having more clouds than others throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Buffalo Ohio 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 Buffalo Ohio’s higher electricity rates, the savings from solar power usage will be significant.
After running the numbers, it appears that it would take approximately 6 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 6 years, the money saved on electricity bills will begin to offset the investment. Furthermore, considering that solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings will continue for many more years. Investing in solar panels is not only financially beneficial but also environmentally friendly, making it a smart choice in the long run.
Investing in solar power in Buffalo Ohio
Switching to solar energy in Buffalo Ohio can lead to significant savings on your electricity bills by taking advantage of the ample sunlight available despite the slightly higher cloud cover. With slightly higher than average precipitation and UV ratings just below the national average, residents can still benefit from investing in solar panels for their homes. By analyzing the weather data and electricity costs, it is evident that making the switch to solar power can result in breaking even on the initial investment in approximately 6 years. This not only provides financial benefits but also contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future for Buffalo Ohio.