Overview
If you live in Madison, Illinois, installing solar panels on your home can save you money in the long run. By analyzing the weather data and electricity costs specific to Madison, we can determine the financial benefits of switching to solar energy. With information on average precipitation, UV ratings, and cloud cover, along with the breakdown of solar system costs and estimated payback time, you can make an informed decision about investing in solar panels for your home.
Madison Illinois Weather Trends
Madison Precipitation
With an average of 54.54 inches of precipitation in the last year, Madison, Illinois is positioned favorably compared to the rest of the country and the state. Falling in the 58th percentile nationally and the 88th percentile within Illinois, Madison receives slightly more rainfall than the national average of 50.61 inches and the Illinois average of 45.69 inches. Investing in solar panels can help you harness this natural resource to generate clean energy for your home.
Madison’s UV Rating
Madison, Illinois boasts an average UV rating of 4.6, placing it in the 67th percentile across the nation and the 92nd percentile within Illinois. This high UV rating means that there is great potential for solar energy production in Madison. In fact, with an average max UV rating of 5.01, Madison surpasses both the national and state averages, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar power to reduce your electricity bills and environmental impact.
Madison’s Cloud Cover
Despite a cloud cover average of 40% in the last year, Madison, Illinois still outperforms the national average of 44.46% and the state average of 44.03%. With a significant number of days having low to moderate cloud cover, Madison provides ample opportunities for solar panels to capture sunlight and convert it into valuable energy. By utilizing solar panels, you can take advantage of the clear days to maximize your energy savings.
Madison Illinois Electricity Costs
Madison residents benefit from relatively low electricity costs, paying around $0.1/kw. This places Madison in the 6th percentile nationally and the 4th percentile within Illinois. Compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and the state average of $0.12/kw, installing solar panels can further decrease your reliance on traditional grid electricity and help you save money over the long term. Making the switch to solar energy can lead to substantial cost savings while reducing your carbon footprint.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Madison Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Madison, 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:
- Madison, Illinois receives slightly more precipitation than the national average, but it still has enough sunny days for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Madison, Illinois are slightly higher than the national average, making it a good location for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Madison, Illinois is slightly lower than the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Madison, Illinois pay slightly less 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 amount needed from the grid.
- Since electricity costs are slightly lower in Madison, Illinois, the savings may be slightly less significant compared to other locations.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 7-8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means, after 7-8 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to offset the initial investment. Plus, since solar panels have a long lifespan, you’ll continue to benefit from these savings for many years to come. It’s a smart financial move that helps the environment too!
Investing in solar power in Madison Illinois
Investing in solar panels in Madison, Illinois can be a smart financial decision. With slightly higher than average precipitation, UV ratings, and slightly lower than average cloud cover, Madison is well-suited for generating solar power. Pair this with the relatively low electricity costs in the area, and you have a recipe for significant cost savings in the long run. By breaking even on your investment in 7-8 years and enjoying the benefits of clean energy for decades, installing solar panels is a win-win situation for your wallet and the environment.