Overview
Living in Portales, New Mexico provides the perfect opportunity to take advantage of solar energy and save money on your electricity bills. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to our area, we can estimate the financial benefits of installing solar panels on your home. With the right system, you can break even on your investment in a surprisingly short amount of time, allowing you to enjoy long-term savings while also reducing your carbon footprint.
Portales New Mexico Weather Trends
Portales Precipitation
Living in Portales, New Mexico means experiencing a drier climate compared to the rest of the nation, with only 15.11 inches of precipitation in the last year. While this puts us in the 65th percentile in New Mexico, we fall in the 3rd percentile nationally. With the national average for total precipitation at 50.61 inches, it’s clear that our area receives significantly less rainfall than most of the country.
Portales’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 5.17 in the last year, Portales, New Mexico enjoys ample sunlight perfect for harnessing solar energy. This puts us in the 82nd percentile nationally and the 71st percentile in New Mexico. Compared to the national average of 4.29, and New Mexico’s average of 4.67, we receive a higher level of UV exposure, making solar panels a worthwhile investment in our area. Additionally, our average max UV rating of 5.77 further emphasizes the abundance of sunlight available for energy generation.
Portales’s Cloud Cover
Portales, New Mexico experiences relatively clear skies, with an average cloud cover of 23% in the last year. This places us in the 56th percentile in New Mexico and the 3rd percentile nationally. Compared to the national average of 44.46% and New Mexico’s average of 22.75%, our area enjoys more sunshine due to fewer cloudy days. With 238 days having between 0% and 25% cloud cover, solar panels have ample opportunity to soak up the sun’s rays for energy production.
Portales New Mexico Electricity Costs
Portales residents benefit from affordable electricity costs, paying only $0.09/kw. This places us in the 10th percentile in New Mexico and the 4th percentile nationally. With the national average for residential electricity at $0.13/kw and New Mexico’s average at $0.15/kw, our lower rates make the switch to solar panels even more financially attractive. By investing in solar energy, you can take advantage of our sunny climate and cost-effective electricity pricing to save money in the long run while reducing your environmental impact.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Portales New Mexico?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Portales, New Mexico, 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:
- Portales, New Mexico receives less precipitation than the national average, making it a great location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in Portales are higher than the national average, indicating strong sunlight for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Portales is lower than the national average, with many days having minimal cloud cover.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Portales pay less for electricity compared to the national average, making solar energy even more cost-effective.
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 Portales’ lower electricity rates, the savings from solar panels are significant.
After analyzing the data, it appears that it would take roughly 4-5 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 4-5 years, the savings on electricity bills will begin to accumulate, making the investment worthwhile. Additionally, since solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings will continue for many years beyond the payback period. Investing in solar energy is a smart choice for both financial savings and environmental impact!
Investing in solar power in Portales New Mexico
Living in Portales, New Mexico offers the perfect conditions for harnessing solar energy and saving money on electricity bills. With ample sunlight, low cloud cover, and affordable electricity costs, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant long-term savings. By breaking even on your investment in just 4-5 years, you can enjoy years of reduced energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Investing in solar energy in Portales is a smart choice for both your wallet and the environment.