Overview
In Glen Carbon, Illinois, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs over a year, we can demonstrate how investing in solar energy can help you break even on your initial investment sooner than you might think. With the right information and financial breakdown, you can see the financial benefits of going solar in Glen Carbon.
Glen Carbon Illinois Weather Trends
Glen Carbon Precipitation
Over the last year, Glen Carbon Illinois received 53.15 inches of precipitation, ranking it in the 55th percentile in the nation and the 86th percentile in Illinois. With a national average of 50.61 inches and Illinois averaging 45.69 inches, Glen Carbon sees a decent amount of precipitation compared to other areas.
Glen Carbon’s UV Rating
In the past year, Glen Carbon Illinois had an average UV rating of 4.48, placing it in the 64th percentile in the nation and the 82nd percentile in Illinois. With the national average at 4.29 and Illinois’s average at 4.21, Glen Carbon enjoys a relatively high UV rating. Additionally, the average max UV rating in Glen Carbon was 4.9, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy.
Glen Carbon’s Cloud Cover
On average, Glen Carbon Illinois experienced 41% cloud cover over the last year, placing it in the 30th percentile nationally and the 15th percentile in Illinois. With the national average at 44.46% and Illinois averaging 44.03%, Glen Carbon enjoys relatively clear skies, making it an ideal location to maximize the benefits of solar energy. With a majority of days having low to moderate cloud cover, solar panels are likely to receive ample sunlight for efficient energy production.
Glen Carbon Illinois Electricity Costs
Residents of Glen Carbon Illinois pay around $0.1/kw for electricity, ranking the town in the 6th percentile nationwide and the 4th percentile in Illinois. Compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and Illinois’s average of $0.12/kw, Glen Carbon offers lower electricity costs, making it even more beneficial for residents to invest in solar panels. By switching to solar energy, residents can significantly reduce their electricity bills and achieve long-term cost savings.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Glen Carbon Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Glen Carbon, Illinois, 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:
- Glen Carbon gets slightly more rain than the national average, but it still has plenty of sunny days for solar panels to operate efficiently.
- The UV ratings in Glen Carbon are slightly above the national average, making it a good location for solar power generation.
- Cloud cover in Glen Carbon is slightly lower than the national average, with a fair amount of variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Glen Carbon pay a bit less for electricity compared to the national average, at $0.10/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 amount that needs to be purchased from the grid.
- With Glen Carbon’s lower electricity rates, the savings may take a bit longer to cover the initial cost.
After conducting the calculations, it seems that it would take approximately 8-10 years to recoup the initial investment in the solar panels. Following this period, the savings on electricity bills will begin to accumulate and pay off the investment. Remember, solar panels have a long lifespan, so you’ll continue to benefit from these savings for many years to come. Investing in solar energy is a wise choice for both your finances and the environment!
Investing in solar power in Glen Carbon Illinois
Investing in solar panels in Glen Carbon, Illinois can prove to be a smart financial decision over the long term. With favorable weather conditions for solar energy production and relatively low electricity costs in the area, residents can expect to break even on their initial investment in solar panels within 8-10 years. Beyond that point, the savings on electricity bills will continue to accumulate, providing both financial benefits and a positive impact on the environment. By analyzing the data on weather trends and electricity costs, it’s clear that going solar in Glen Carbon is a worthwhile investment.