Overview
Living in sunny Flagstaff, Arizona, means that you have the perfect conditions to benefit from installing solar panels on your home. With an average of 266 sunny days a year, you can harness the power of the sun to significantly reduce your electricity bill. By analyzing weather data and basic electricity costs, we will show you how investing in a solar system can help you save money in the long run. Let’s break down the cost of a solar panel system and estimate how quickly you can expect to break even on your investment.
Flagstaff Arizona Weather Trends
Flagstaff Precipitation
With only 26.03 inches of precipitation in the last year, Flagstaff is in the 9th percentile in the nation and the 97th percentile in Arizona. This means you have less rain to contend with compared to other states, making it an ideal environment for utilizing solar panels to generate electricity.
Flagstaff’s UV Rating
Flagstaff’s average UV rating of 3.96 in the last year places it in the 43rd percentile in the nation and the 4th percentile in Arizona. While this may indicate slightly lower sunlight intensity than other parts of the country, it still offers ample sunlight for harnessing solar power. Solar panels can still be highly effective in capturing this sunlight and converting it into energy for your home.
Flagstaff’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 23% cloud cover in the last year, Flagstaff is in the 3rd percentile in the nation and the 90th percentile in Arizona. This low cloud cover percentage means that there are plenty of clear days to maximize solar energy production. Installing solar panels ensures that you can take full advantage of the sunny days throughout the year.
Flagstaff Arizona Electricity Costs
Flagstaff residents pay about $0.13/kw for electricity, placing them in the 80th percentile in the nation and the 90th percentile in Arizona. Although the cost is on par with the national average, investing in solar panels can help offset your electricity bills over time. By generating your own clean energy, you can reduce your dependence on traditional power sources and save money on your monthly utility expenses.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Flagstaff Arizona?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Flagstaff, Arizona, 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:
- Flagstaff gets less precipitation than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV rating in Flagstaff is slightly lower than the national average, but still suitable for generating solar power efficiently.
- Cloud cover in Flagstaff is lower than the national average, with most days having between 0% and 25% cloud cover.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Flagstaff pay the national average price for electricity, making it a good area for investing in solar power.
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, especially with the average electricity cost in Flagstaff.
- With lower cloud cover and good UV rating, the system will be productive throughout the year.
After analyzing the data, it appears that it would take around 5 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Flagstaff, Arizona. This means that after 5 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to accumulate and pay off the investment. With the long lifespan of solar panels, you’ll continue to benefit from these savings for many more years. Investing in solar power is not only a smart financial decision but also a step towards sustainability.
Investing in solar power in Flagstaff Arizona
Installing solar panels in Flagstaff, Arizona, can be a smart financial decision that saves you money in the long run. With the sunny weather and lower cloud cover, solar systems can efficiently generate electricity, reducing your dependence on traditional power sources. Considering the average electricity costs in Flagstaff, investing in solar panels could result in breaking even on the initial cost in about 5 years. This means that you will start to see significant savings on your electricity bills and continue to benefit from clean energy for many years to come. By making the switch to solar power, you are not only saving money but also taking a step towards a more sustainable future.