Overview
In Fort Greely Alaska, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant financial savings in the long run. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs over a year, we can demonstrate the potential benefits of switching to solar power. With the right solar system, Fort Greely residents can expect to break even on their investment within a reasonable timeframe, making it a smart financial choice for many homeowners in the area.
Fort Greely Alaska Weather Trends
Fort Greely Precipitation
Fort Greely Alaska received 23.11 inches of precipitation in the last year. This places Fort Greely in the 7th percentile in the nation and the 16th percentile in Alaska for total precipitation. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and Alaska’s average of 57.06 inches, Fort Greely’s lower precipitation levels make it an ideal location for solar panel installation.
Fort Greely’s UV Rating
Fort Greely Alaska had an average UV rating of 1.91 in the last year. This puts Fort Greely in the 0th percentile in the nation and the 54th percentile in Alaska. With a national average UV rating of 4.29 and Alaska’s average of 1.83, Fort Greely’s low UV rating may not seem ideal. However, the city’s average max UV rating of 2.29 still offers ample sunlight for efficient solar panel operation.
Fort Greely’s Cloud Cover
Fort Greely Alaska experienced an average of 64% cloud cover in the last year. This places Fort Greely in the 99th percentile in the nation and the 17th percentile in Alaska for cloud cover. While the national average is 44.46% and Alaska’s average is 67.94%, Fort Greely’s relatively high cloud cover may impact solar panel efficiency. However, the number of days with lower cloud cover levels still provides significant sunlight for energy production.
Fort Greely Alaska Electricity Costs
Fort Greely residents pay about $0.25/kw for electricity, placing them in the 100th percentile in the nation and the 67th percentile in Alaska for residential electricity costs. Compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and Alaska’s average of $0.34/kw, Fort Greely’s electricity costs are relatively high. By switching to solar power, residents can save significantly on their energy bills in the long run, making it a smart financial choice for homeowners in the area.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Fort Greely Alaska?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Fort Greely, Alaska, 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 Greely gets less rainfall compared to the national average, providing good conditions for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Fort Greely are lower than the national average, but still suitable for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Fort Greely is higher than the national average, with a significant number of days having between 75% and 100% cloud cover.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Fort Greely pay 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 from the grid, especially with Fort Greely’s higher electricity rates.
After analyzing all the data, it appears that it would take around 7-8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 7-8 years, the savings from reduced electricity bills will start to accumulate and pay off the investment. Since solar panels last for a long time, you will continue to benefit from these savings for many years to come. Investing in solar panels is a smart way to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment!
Investing in solar power in Fort Greely Alaska
Based on the weather data and electricity costs in Fort Greely, Alaska, it is clear that installing solar panels can lead to significant financial savings in the long run. Despite the city’s lower UV ratings and higher cloud cover, the reduced electricity costs and relatively low rainfall create favorable conditions for solar panel operation. With residents paying higher electricity rates than the national average, switching to solar power can help homeowners break even on their investment within 7-8 years. This makes investing in solar panels a smart financial choice for many homeowners in Fort Greely, allowing them to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment for years to come.