Overview
In Garfield, Washington, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant long-term financial savings. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to the area, we can estimate the cost of a solar system and predict how quickly you can break even on your investment. With substantial annual sunshine, low precipitation, and minimal cloud cover, Garfield is an ideal location for harnessing solar energy to power your home. Discover how making the switch to solar can benefit both your wallet and the environment in the long run.
Garfield Washington Weather Trends
Garfield Precipitation
With Garfield, Washington receiving 31.2 inches of precipitation in the last year, it falls below the national average of 50.61 inches. Compared to the rest of Washington, Garfield is slightly drier, as the state’s average is 45.64 inches. By harnessing solar energy in a region with lower precipitation levels, you can rely less on traditional energy sources and save money in the long run.
Garfield’s UV Rating
Garfield, Washington’s average UV rating of 3.66 indicates that it receives moderate UV exposure. While this falls below the national average of 4.29, it is higher than Washington’s average of 3.64. With the potential for optimal sunlight, installing solar panels in Garfield can maximize energy production and contribute to substantial long-term financial savings.
Garfield’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 44% cloud cover in the last year, Garfield, Washington ranks slightly below the national average of 44.46% and Washington’s average of 49.1%. Additionally, the distribution of cloud cover days provides ample opportunities for consistent solar energy generation. By taking advantage of clearer skies, you can significantly reduce your reliance on grid electricity and decrease your utility bills.
Garfield Washington Electricity Costs
Garfield, Washington residents pay about $0.09/kw for electricity, which is below the national average of $0.13/kw. While it may be higher than the state’s average of $0.1/kw, the relatively low cost of electricity in Garfield makes solar investment even more attractive. By switching to solar power, you can lock in lower energy costs and insulate yourself from future utility rate hikes.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Garfield Washington?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Garfield Washington, 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 Washington receives less precipitation than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Garfield Washington are slightly lower than the national average, but still sufficient for generating solar power.
- The cloud cover in Garfield Washington is around the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Garfield Washington pay less for electricity compared to the national average, which can impact the savings from using 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 need to purchase power from the grid.
- With Garfield Washington’s lower electricity rates, the savings may take longer to cover the initial cost.
After analyzing the data, it appears that it might take around 8-10 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Garfield Washington. This means that after 8-10 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to offset the investment. Considering the long lifespan of solar panels, the savings will continue for many years, making it a wise financial and environmentally-friendly choice.
Investing in solar power in Garfield Washington
Installing solar panels in Garfield, Washington is a smart investment that can lead to significant long-term savings. With lower precipitation levels, moderate UV exposure, and ample opportunities for solar energy generation due to lower cloud cover, Garfield is an ideal location for harnessing solar power. Additionally, residents in Garfield pay below the national average for electricity, making the switch to solar even more attractive. Based on the analysis, it may take around 8-10 years to break even on the initial cost of solar panels in Garfield, after which the savings will continue for many more years. Switching to solar power not only benefits your wallet but also the environment, making it a wise choice for homeowners in Garfield, Washington.