Solar By City

Solar and Electricity Data for Lawrence, MA: Does a Solar Installation Make Sense?

Lawrence, MA at a glance

Overall Cloud Coverage Precipitation UV Index Electricity Cost
3.3/10 2.5/10 1.3/10 2.6/10 9.9/10
Not Bad 51% daily 6 inches monthly 3.6 on average 0.24/kw

Overview

Lawrence Massachusetts Weather Trends

Lawrence Precipitation

With Lawrence, Massachusetts receiving 68.76 inches of precipitation in the last year, it is evident that the city experiences a significant amount of rainfall. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches, Lawrence is well above average in terms of precipitation. Although Massachusetts as a whole experiences more precipitation than the national average, Lawrence is still slightly higher than the state average of 68.09 inches.

Lawrence’s UV Rating

When it comes to UV rating, Lawrence Massachusetts had an average rating of 3.65 in the last year. While this places Lawrence below the national average of 4.29, it is slightly above the average UV rating for the state of Massachusetts, which is 3.69. Additionally, with an average max UV rating of 3.91, Lawrence is still below the national and state averages, indicating the potential for solar panels to generate electricity efficiently.

Lawrence’s Cloud Cover

In the last year, Lawrence Massachusetts had an average cloud cover of 51%. While this may seem like a lot, it is actually lower than the national average of 44.46%. Although Massachusetts’s average cloud cover is slightly higher at 50.86%, Lawrence still falls below the state average. With a good number of days having lower cloud cover percentages, there is ample opportunity for solar panels to harness sunlight effectively.

Lawrence Massachusetts Electricity Costs

Residents of Lawrence, Massachusetts pay about $0.24/kw for electricity, which is higher than both the national average of $0.13/kw and the state average of $0.22/kw. With electricity costs ranking in the 99th percentile nationally and the 95th percentile within Massachusetts, investing in solar panels can help save money in the long run while also reducing the carbon footprint of the household.

When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Lawrence Massachusetts?

Considering the weather and electricity costs in Lawrence, Massachusetts, 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:

  • Lawrence gets more rain than the national average, but it still has enough sun for solar panels to work effectively.
  • The UV ratings in Lawrence are slightly lower than the national average, but they’re still good for generating solar power.
  • Cloud cover in Lawrence is higher than the national average, with varying levels throughout the year.

Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:

  • Residents in Lawrence 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 purchase as much from the grid.
  • Due to Lawrence’s higher electricity rates, the savings from using solar power are even greater.

After calculations, it seems that it would take approximately 5 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 5 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to accumulate and pay off the investment. Additionally, considering the long lifespan of solar panels, the savings will continue for many years beyond the initial investment period. Investing in solar panels is a wise decision to both save money and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Investing in solar power in Lawrence Massachusetts

Based on the weather trends and electricity costs in Lawrence, Massachusetts, investing in solar panels can be a beneficial decision for residents. With abundant rainfall and decent sunlight, solar panels can effectively generate electricity despite slightly lower UV ratings. Additionally, the higher than average cloud cover in Lawrence does not hinder the efficiency of solar panels. Considering the higher electricity costs in the city, it would take approximately 5 years to break even on the initial investment, after which significant savings on electricity bills can be enjoyed. Therefore, installing solar panels not only helps save money in the long run but also contributes to environmental sustainability, making it a wise choice for residents of Lawrence, Massachusetts.