Overview
In Ottertail, Minnesota, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant savings on your electricity bill. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to the area, we estimate how long it will take to break even on the cost of a solar system. With the average max UV rating, average UV rating, average percentage of cloud cover, and inches of precipitation over 365 days, we can show you the potential financial benefits of going solar in Ottertail.
Ottertail Minnesota Weather Trends
Ottertail Precipitation
With 33.24 inches of precipitation in the last year, Ottertail Minnesota is in the 16th percentile nationwide and the 21st percentile in the state. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and Minnesota’s average of 37.31 inches, Ottertail receives less precipitation, making it a great location for solar panel installation.
Ottertail’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 3.38, Ottertail Minnesota is in the 14th percentile nationwide and the 28th percentile in the state. Compared to the national average of 4.29 and Minnesota’s average of 3.6, Ottertail experiences moderate UV levels suitable for efficient solar panel performance.
In addition, Ottertail’s average max UV rating of 3.51 places it in the 18th percentile nationwide and the 33rd percentile in the state. Despite not having the highest UV ratings, Ottertail still has ample sunlight for effective solar energy production.
Ottertail’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 50% cloud cover, Ottertail Minnesota is in the 73rd percentile nationwide and the 63rd percentile in the state. Compared to the national average of 44.46% and Minnesota’s average of 48.96%, Ottertail experiences less cloud cover, allowing for more sunlight to reach solar panels for efficient energy generation.
Furthermore, Ottertail had a distribution of different cloud cover percentages throughout the year. With a significant number of days having low to moderate cloud cover, there are plenty of opportunities for solar panels to capture sunlight and produce electricity efficiently.
Ottertail Minnesota Electricity Costs
At $0.11/kw for electricity, Ottertail Minnesota is in the 38th percentile nationwide and the 8th percentile in the state. Compared to the national average of $0.13/kw and Minnesota’s average of $0.13/kw, Ottertail residents pay lower electricity costs, making it even more financially beneficial to invest in solar panels for long-term savings and environmental impact.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Ottertail Minnesota?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Ottertail Minnesota, 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:
- Ottertail Minnesota gets less precipitation than the national average, making it a suitable location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Ottertail Minnesota are slightly lower than the national average, but still good for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Ottertail Minnesota is slightly higher than the national average, with variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Ottertail Minnesota pay less for electricity compared to the national average, which is beneficial for the return on investment in solar panels.
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.
- With Ottertail Minnesota’s lower electricity rates, the savings are still significant.
After calculation, it seems that it would take approximately 7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 7 years, the money saved on electricity bills will begin to accumulate and pay off the investment. Since solar panels have a long lifespan, these savings will continue for many years thereafter. Investing in solar power is not only economical but also environmentally friendly.
Investing in solar power in Ottertail Minnesota
With favorable weather conditions and comparatively low electricity costs in Ottertail, Minnesota, investing in solar panels can lead to significant long-term savings. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to the area, we estimate that it would take approximately 7 years to break even on the cost of a standard solar system. After this initial period, the savings accrued from lower electricity bills will continue to accumulate, making solar power a financially beneficial and environmentally friendly investment for residents in Ottertail.