Solar and Electricity Data for Pahoa, HI: Does a Solar Installation Make Sense?

Overall	Cloud Coverage	Precipitation	UV Index	Electricity Cost
4.3/10	0.3/10	2.9/10	8.2/10	10/10
Not Bad	61% daily	5 inches monthly	5.2 on average	0.35/kw

Overview

Living in Pahoa, Hawaii comes with its own unique set of benefits and challenges, especially when it comes to electricity costs. By analyzing the weather data specific to Pahoa over the course of a year, we can see how solar panels can help you save money on your electricity bill. With the cost of installing a solar system broken down and estimated time to break even calculated, you can make an informed decision on whether investing in solar panels is the right choice for you.

Pahoa Hawaii Weather Trends

Pahoa Precipitation

Living in Pahoa, Hawaii means experiencing 60.24 inches of precipitation annually. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and Hawaii’s average of 38.66 inches, Pahoa receives more rain, putting it above the majority in both categories. With such high precipitation levels, harnessing solar energy can help you save on your electricity bill.

Pahoa’s UV Rating

Pahoa Hawaii boasts an average UV rating of 5.18, ranking it higher than most areas in the nation but lower than the state’s average. The sun’s rays in Pahoa are stronger than the national average of 4.29 but slightly lower than Hawaii’s average of 5.44. With ample sunlight throughout the year, solar panels can efficiently convert this abundant resource into cost-saving energy for your home.

Pahoa’s Cloud Cover

With an average of 61% cloud cover in Pahoa, residents experience more cloudiness compared to the national and state averages. While the rest of the country sees around 44.46% cloud cover and Hawaii around 53.18%, Pahoa’s cloud cover can impact your solar energy production. Despite this, investing in solar panels can still significantly reduce your dependence on traditional electricity sources.

Pahoa Hawaii Electricity Costs

Residents in Pahoa, Hawaii pay about $0.35/kw for electricity, placing them at the top of the national and state percentiles. With the national average at $0.13/kw and Hawaii’s average at $0.33/kw, electricity costs in Pahoa are higher. By installing solar panels, you can generate your own clean and renewable energy, ultimately lowering your electricity expenses and reducing your carbon footprint.

When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Pahoa Hawaii?

Considering the weather and electricity costs in Pahoa, Hawaii, 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:

Pahoa gets more precipitation than the national average, but it still has good UV ratings for generating solar power.
The UV ratings in Pahoa are higher than the national average, which is great for solar panel efficiency.
Pahoa has higher average cloud cover compared to the national average, with some variation throughout the year.

Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:

Residents in Pahoa 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 amount needed from the grid.
With Pahoa’s higher electricity rates, the savings will be greater.

After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. After that, the money saved on electricity bills will start to accumulate and pay off the investment. Since solar panels last for a long time, you’ll be enjoying those savings for many years to come. It’s a smart investment for saving money and supporting renewable energy!