Overview
In Keene, New Hampshire, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant long-term savings on your electricity bills. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to Keene, we can demonstrate how a solar system can pay for itself over time. This article will outline the financial benefits of going solar in Keene, including a breakdown of costs and a projected timeline to reach the break-even point.
Keene New Hampshire Weather Trends
Keene Precipitation
In the last year, Keene, New Hampshire received 66.83 inches of precipitation, placing it in the 84th percentile nationwide and the 17th percentile within the state. Comparatively, the national average for total precipitation is 50.61 inches, while New Hampshire’s average is 73.01 inches. Despite Keene receiving more precipitation than the national average, it still falls below the state average, indicating that the city may not experience as extreme weather patterns as other parts of New Hampshire.
Keene’s UV Rating
Over the last year, the average UV rating in Keene was 3.37, ranking it in the 13th percentile nationally and the 70th percentile within New Hampshire. In comparison, the national average for average UV rating is 4.29, and New Hampshire’s average is 3.25. Keene’s average max UV rating of 3.64 places it in the 21st percentile nationwide and the 76th percentile within the state. These UV ratings suggest that Keene experiences moderate levels of UV exposure, making it an ideal location for solar panel installation.
Keene’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 54% cloud cover over the past year, Keene falls in the 86th percentile nationally and the 47th percentile in New Hampshire. The national average for cloud cover is 44.46%, while New Hampshire’s average is 55.38%. Keene experienced a range of cloud cover, with 70 days of clear skies (0%-25% cover), 104 days with moderate cover (25%-50%), 81 days with significant cover (50%-75%), and 109 days with heavy cloud cover (75%-100%). These varied conditions provide opportunities for consistent solar energy production throughout the year.
Keene New Hampshire Electricity Costs
Residents of Keene, New Hampshire pay around $0.19/kw for electricity, positioning the city in the 97th percentile nationally and the 63rd percentile in the state. In contrast, the national average for residential electricity is $0.13/kw, while New Hampshire’s average matches Keene’s at $0.19/kw. By considering the higher-than-average electricity costs in Keene, investing in solar panels can offer significant long-term savings on utility bills, making it a financially wise decision for residents.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Keene New Hampshire?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Keene, New Hampshire, 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:
- Keene gets more precipitation than the national average, but it still receives enough sunlight for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Keene are slightly lower than the national average, but they are still suitable for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Keene is higher than the national average, with variations throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Keene 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 need to buy as much from the grid.
- With Keene’s higher electricity rates, the savings are even more significant.
After careful calculations, it appears that it would take approximately 8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 8 years, the money saved on electricity bills will begin to accumulate and pay off the investment. Keep in mind that solar panels have a long lifespan, so after that initial period, you will continue to enjoy those savings for many years ahead. Investing in solar energy is a wise choice to save money and contribute to a greener environment!
Investing in solar power in Keene New Hampshire
After analyzing the weather trends and electricity costs in Keene, New Hampshire, it is evident that investing in solar panels can lead to significant long-term savings for residents. With higher-than-average electricity costs and suitable weather conditions for solar power generation, installing a solar system can pay for itself in approximately 8 years. This means that after the initial investment is covered, residents can enjoy reduced utility bills and contribute to a greener environment for many years to come. Making the switch to solar energy in Keene is not only financially beneficial but also environmentally responsible.