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Solar and Electricity Data for Saint Michael, MN: Does a Solar Installation Make Sense?

Saint Michael, MN at a glance

Overall Cloud Coverage Precipitation UV Index Electricity Cost
4.6/10 4.4/10 8.6/10 2.7/10 7.5/10
Not Bad 46% daily 3 inches monthly 3.7 on average 0.13/kw

Overview

In Saint Michael, Minnesota, installing solar panels on your home can lead to significant financial benefits. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs, we can show you how a solar system can help you save money in the long run. We’ll break down the upfront cost of installation and estimate how quickly you can recoup your investment through energy savings. With favorable weather conditions and rising electricity costs, going solar in Saint Michael is a smart choice for your wallet.

Saint Michael Minnesota Weather Trends

Saint Michael Precipitation

In the last year, Saint Michael, Minnesota, received 31.91 inches of precipitation. While this puts Saint Michael in the 14th percentile in both the nation and Minnesota, it’s important to note that the national average for total precipitation is 50.61 inches, while Minnesota’s average is 37.31 inches. This means that Saint Michael sees less precipitation compared to the rest of the country and state.

Saint Michael’s UV Rating

Over the last year, Saint Michael, Minnesota, had an average UV rating of 3.66. This places Saint Michael in the 27th percentile in the nation and the 61st percentile in Minnesota. While the national average for UV rating is 4.29, and Minnesota’s average is 3.6, Saint Michael’s slightly lower UV rating indicates less intense sun exposure. However, this does not diminish the benefits of installing solar panels.

Saint Michael’s Cloud Cover

In the last year, Saint Michael, Minnesota, had an average cloud cover of 46%. This places Saint Michael in the 56th percentile in the nation and the 31st percentile in Minnesota. While the national average for cloud cover is 44.46% and Minnesota’s average is 48.96%, Saint Michael’s moderate cloud cover still allows for ample sunlight to generate solar power, making it a viable option for solar panel installation.

Saint Michael Minnesota Electricity Costs

Saint Michael, Minnesota residents pay about $0.13/kw for electricity, positioning them in the 75th percentile in the nation and the 59th percentile in Minnesota. The national average for residential electricity is also $0.13/kw, as is Minnesota’s average. Despite the relatively low electricity costs in Saint Michael, investing in solar panels can still lead to significant savings in the long run, making it a wise financial decision for homeowners in the area.

When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Saint Michael Minnesota?

Considering the weather and electricity costs in Saint Michael, 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:

  • Saint Michael receives less precipitation than the national average, making it suitable for solar panels to operate effectively.
  • The UV ratings in Saint Michael are slightly below the national average but still conducive for generating solar power.
  • The cloud cover in Saint Michael is around the national average, with some variability throughout the year.

Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:

  • Residents in Saint Michael pay the national average price for electricity, which is $0.13/kw.

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 from the grid.
  • Since Saint Michael has average electricity costs, the savings will be significant but not as high as in areas with higher electricity rates.

After analyzing the data, it appears that it would take around 8-10 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Saint Michael, Minnesota. This means that after 8-10 years, the money saved on electricity bills will begin to accumulate and pay off the investment. Moreover, solar panels have a long lifespan, so beyond this initial period, you can continue reaping the benefits for many years. Investing in solar power is a practical way to save money and contribute to environmental conservation.

Investing in solar power in Saint Michael Minnesota

After analyzing the weather trends and electricity costs in Saint Michael, Minnesota, it is clear that installing solar panels can lead to significant financial benefits. Despite receiving less precipitation and having slightly lower UV ratings, Saint Michael’s moderate cloud cover still allows for effective solar power generation. With average electricity costs, investing in a solar system could lead to breaking even on the initial cost within 8-10 years. This means that homeowners in Saint Michael can start saving money and benefiting from solar energy for many years to come, making it a wise financial decision for the area.