Overview
If you live in Garfield, New Mexico, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant savings on your electricity bill. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to Garfield, we have determined that a solar system can pay for itself in a relatively short amount of time. In this article, we will break down the financial benefits of going solar in Garfield, including the cost of a solar system and the estimated payback period based on our data analysis.
Garfield New Mexico Weather Trends
Garfield Precipitation
With only 5.54 inches of precipitation in the last year, Garfield is in the 0th percentile in the nation and the 9th percentile in New Mexico. This means that compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and New Mexico’s average of 13.78 inches, Garfield receives significantly less rainfall, making it an ideal location for solar energy.
Garfield’s UV Rating
Garfield boasts an average UV rating of 5.35 in the last year, placing it in the 86th percentile in the nation and the 82nd percentile in New Mexico. This high UV rating, along with an average max UV rating of 5.87, indicates that Garfield receives ample sunlight for solar panel efficiency. When compared to the national average of 4.29 and New Mexico’s average of 4.67, Garfield is a standout location for harnessing solar power.
Garfield’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 17% cloud cover in the last year, Garfield ranks in the 1st percentile in the nation and the 7th percentile in New Mexico. This low cloud cover percentage, along with the distribution of days with varying amounts of cloud cover, means that Garfield experiences mostly clear skies, providing consistent sunlight for solar energy production. Compared to the national average of 44.46% and New Mexico’s average of 22.75%, Garfield offers optimal conditions for solar panel installation.
Garfield New Mexico Electricity Costs
Residents in Garfield pay about $0.11/kw for electricity, positioning it in the 22nd percentile in the nation and the 17th percentile in New Mexico. With the national average at $0.13/kw and New Mexico’s average at $0.15/kw, Garfield residents enjoy relatively lower electricity costs, making solar panel installation a financially sound investment for long-term energy savings. By harnessing the abundant sunlight and low precipitation rates in Garfield, homeowners can significantly reduce their electricity bills by going solar.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Garfield New Mexico?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Garfield New Mexico, 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:
- Garfield New Mexico receives significantly less precipitation than the national average, making it a sunny location for efficient solar panel operation.
- The UV ratings in Garfield New Mexico are higher than the national average, providing great conditions for generating solar power.
- The cloud cover in Garfield New Mexico is much lower than the national average, with a majority of days having low to no cloud cover, which is ideal for solar energy production.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Garfield New Mexico pay slightly less for electricity compared to the national average, at $0.11/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 need to purchase from the grid, resulting in savings on electricity bills.
- With Garfield New Mexico’s lower electricity rates, the savings from using solar power are slightly lower compared to the national average.
After analyzing the data, it appears that residents of Garfield New Mexico would recoup the initial cost of the solar panels in approximately 5-6 years. Beyond that point, the savings on electricity bills will continue to accumulate, providing financial benefits for many years due to the long lifespan of solar panels. Investing in solar energy not only saves money but also contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable environment. It’s a wise choice for the long term.
Investing in solar power in Garfield New Mexico
Based on the analysis of weather trends and electricity costs in Garfield, New Mexico, it is clear that installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant long-term savings on your electricity bill. With ample sunlight, low precipitation rates, and relatively lower electricity costs, residents can expect to break even on their solar panel investment in approximately 5-6 years. Beyond that, the savings will continue to accumulate, providing financial benefits for many years to come. Investing in solar energy not only saves money but also contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable environment, making it a wise long-term choice for homeowners in Garfield, New Mexico.