Overview
Are you a Dekalb Illinois resident looking to save money on your electricity bill? Installing solar panels on your home could be a smart financial decision. By analyzing local weather data and electricity costs, we’ll show you how investing in a solar system can help you break even in a reasonable amount of time. Learn how harnessing the power of the sun can lead to significant long-term savings for your household.
Dekalb Illinois Weather Trends
Dekalb Precipitation
With Dekalb Illinois receiving 41.97 inches of precipitation in the last year, it is clear that the area sees a fair amount of rain. While this puts Dekalb in the 31st percentile in both the nation and Illinois, it is interesting to note that the national average for total precipitation is 50.61 inches, with Illinois averaging 45.69 inches. Investing in solar panels can help alleviate the impact of this precipitation on your electricity bills over time.
Dekalb’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 3.76 in the last year, Dekalb Illinois experiences moderate levels of UV radiation. Ranking in the 33rd percentile nationally and the 9th percentile in Illinois, Dekalb falls slightly below the national average of 4.29 and the state average of 4.21. Harnessing the power of the sun through solar panels can capitalize on these UV levels to generate clean and sustainable energy for your home.
Dekalb’s Cloud Cover
Dekalb Illinois had an average of 48% cloud cover in the last year, ranking in the 66th percentile nationally and the 89th percentile in Illinois. With variations in cloud cover throughout the year, Dekalb experienced a range of cloudy days. By installing solar panels, you can still generate energy even on cloudy days, ensuring a consistent source of power for your household.
Dekalb Illinois Electricity Costs
Residents in Dekalb typically pay around $0.13 per kilowatt-hour for electricity, placing them in the 77th percentile nationally and the 71st percentile in Illinois. While this is slightly higher than the national average, which is also $0.13/kw, it is essential to note that Illinois averages $0.12/kw. By investing in solar panels, you can offset these electricity costs and potentially save money in the long run.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Dekalb Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Dekalb 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:
- Dekalb Illinois received less precipitation than the national average, making it a suitable location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings are slightly lower than the national average but still adequate for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover is slightly higher than the national average, with varying degrees throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Dekalb Illinois pay the national average for electricity, which is $0.13/kw.
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.
- With the average electricity cost, the savings from using solar power will help offset the initial investment cost.
After calculating the numbers, it appears that it would take approximately 5-6 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 5-6 years, the savings on electricity bills will begin to accumulate and pay off the investment. Since solar panels last for 25-30 years, the savings will continue for many years after the initial investment is recouped. Investing in solar panels is a smart way to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment in Dekalb Illinois.
Investing in solar power in Dekalb Illinois
Investing in solar panels in Dekalb Illinois can be a financially wise decision that will lead to significant long-term savings for your household. By analyzing local weather data and electricity costs, we have shown that solar panels can help you break even on your investment in approximately 5-6 years. After this initial payback period, the savings on electricity bills will continue to accumulate, making solar panels a smart choice for saving money and contributing to a cleaner environment in Dekalb Illinois.