Overview
If you’re a Fort Drum resident looking to save money on your electricity bills, installing solar panels on your home could be a smart investment. By analyzing weather data specific to the area, we can show you how much energy you can generate throughout the year and calculate the potential savings on your monthly utility costs. With a breakdown of the costs of a solar system and an estimate of how long it will take to break even, this article will help you see the financial benefits of going solar in Fort Drum, New York.
Fort Drum New York Weather Trends
Fort Drum Precipitation
With Fort Drum receiving 66.34 inches of precipitation in the last year, you can see it ranks higher than most of the country at the 83rd percentile, although it falls in the 58th percentile within New York. Comparing this to the national average of 50.61 inches and New York’s average of 63.5 inches, it’s clear that Fort Drum experiences a significant amount of rainfall, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy.
Fort Drum’s UV Rating
Fort Drum’s average UV rating of 3.15 in the last year may seem lower than other parts of the country, ranking in the 6th percentile nationally and the 18th percentile within New York. However, when compared to the national average of 4.29 and New York’s average of 3.57, it’s evident that Fort Drum still receives sufficient sunlight to generate solar power. With an average max UV rating of 3.36, Fort Drum is in a good position to harness solar energy effectively.
Fort Drum’s Cloud Cover
Fort Drum experienced an average of 61% cloud cover in the last year, placing it in the 97th percentile in the nation and the 81st percentile in New York. Despite this high cloud cover percentage, the national average of 44.46% and New York’s average of 54.76% suggest that Fort Drum still has enough sunny days to make solar panel installation worthwhile. With varying cloud cover throughout the year, there are still plenty of opportunities to generate solar energy.
Fort Drum New York Electricity Costs
Residents in Fort Drum pay about $0.13/kw for electricity, which positions the area in the 67th percentile nationally and the 53rd percentile within New York. While the national average for residential electricity is also $0.13/kw, New York’s average is slightly higher at $0.15/kw. By installing solar panels on your home, you can take advantage of Fort Drum’s relatively lower electricity costs and potentially save even more on your monthly utility bills.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Fort Drum New York?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Fort Drum, New York, 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:
- Fort Drum receives more precipitation than the national average, which can affect solar panel efficiency.
- The UV ratings in Fort Drum are lower than the national average, but still good for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Fort Drum is higher than the national average, which can reduce solar energy production.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Fort Drum pay an average of $0.13/kw for electricity, which is in line with 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:
- Despite the weather challenges, the solar system can still generate electricity and reduce reliance on the grid.
- With average electricity rates, the savings from using solar power can help offset the initial cost of the system.
Based on the calculations, it looks like it would take approximately 10 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Fort Drum, New York. After this period, the savings on electricity bills will accumulate and pay off the investment. Considering the longevity of solar panels, this investment will continue to provide savings for many years to come, making it a wise financial and environmental decision.
Investing in solar power in Fort Drum New York
Installing solar panels in Fort Drum, New York can be a beneficial investment for residents looking to save on electricity bills. By analyzing the weather trends specific to the area and understanding the electricity costs, we can see that the financial benefits of going solar are significant. Despite some weather challenges, the potential savings on monthly utility costs can help break even on the initial investment in approximately 10 years. This long-term investment not only saves money but also contributes to a more sustainable environment for future generations.