Overview
Harnessing the power of the sun can lead to substantial savings for Crete Illinois residents looking to lower their electricity bills. With the abundant sunshine in the area, a solar panel system can efficiently generate clean energy to power your home. By analyzing the weather data and electricity costs specific to Crete, we have calculated the cost of a solar system and estimated the time it will take for you to break even on your investment. Keep reading to discover how solar panels can be a smart financial choice for your home in Crete.
Crete Illinois Weather Trends
Crete Precipitation
With 44.02 inches of precipitation in the last year, Crete Illinois falls slightly below the national average but remains close to the state average. While not the wettest location, the reliable rainfall can help keep your solar panels clean and functioning efficiently, ensuring maximum energy production for your home.
Crete’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 3.86, Crete Illinois receives a moderate amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it a suitable location for solar panel installation. While not the highest in the nation, Crete’s UV rating is comparable to that of other areas in Illinois, providing ample sunlight to power your home with clean, renewable energy.
Crete’s Cloud Cover
With an average cloud cover of 47%, Crete Illinois experiences a mix of sunny and cloudy days throughout the year. Despite slightly more cloud cover than the national average, Crete’s cloud cover is in line with the rest of Illinois, offering consistent sunlight for your solar panel system. The variety of cloud cover allows for a balance between energy generation and energy storage, ensuring reliable power for your home.
Crete Illinois Electricity Costs
At a rate of $0.13/kw for electricity, Crete Illinois residents pay slightly above the national average but remain competitive with the state average. By harnessing solar power, you can reduce your dependence on traditional electricity sources and save money in the long run. With stable electricity costs and abundant sunlight, investing in solar panels can lead to significant savings on your monthly energy bills.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Crete Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Crete 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:
- Crete Illinois receives slightly less precipitation than the national average, which is good for solar panel efficiency.
- The UV ratings in Crete Illinois are slightly lower than the national average, but still sufficient for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Crete Illinois is slightly higher than the national average, but there are still many days with optimal solar conditions.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Crete Illinois pay the national average price for electricity.
With this information, let’s break down the costs:
- A standard solar installation of a 10kW system 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.
- Since the electricity costs in Crete Illinois are average, the savings are standard compared to the national average.
Based on these calculations, it looks like it would take approximately 5-6 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. After this initial period, the money saved on electricity bills will accumulate and make the investment worthwhile. Moreover, considering the longevity of solar panels, you will continue to benefit from these savings for many years to come while also contributing to a greener environment.
Investing in solar power in Crete Illinois
Investing in solar panels in Crete, Illinois can be a wise financial decision for residents looking to lower their electricity bills. With the area’s reliable rainfall and moderate amount of sunlight, solar panels can efficiently generate clean energy for your home. Despite slightly higher electricity costs, the potential savings from using solar power can lead to breaking even on your investment in approximately 5-6 years. By harnessing the power of the sun, not only can you save money in the long run, but you can also contribute to a greener environment for years to come.