Overview
In Saint Thomas, North Dakota, installing solar panels on your home can significantly reduce your electricity costs and save you money in the long run. By analyzing weather data such as inches of precipitation, average max UV rating, average UV rating, and average percentage cloud cover collected over 365 days, we can estimate the financial benefits of going solar in this area. With the cost of a solar system in mind, we can also calculate how long it will take for you to break even and start seeing a return on your investment.
Saint Thomas North Dakota Weather Trends
Saint Thomas Precipitation
With 29.37 inches of precipitation in the last year, Saint Thomas North Dakota is below the national average of 50.61 inches but slightly above North Dakota’s average of 30.8 inches. By harnessing the power of the sun through solar panels, you can rely less on traditional electricity sources, helping you save money in the long run.
Saint Thomas’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 3.32, Saint Thomas is below both the national average of 4.29 and North Dakota’s average of 3.46. Despite this, solar panels can still effectively generate electricity even with moderate levels of UV radiation. By making the switch to solar energy, you can take advantage of the sun’s power to reduce your reliance on the grid.
Saint Thomas’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 49% cloud cover in the last year, Saint Thomas North Dakota experiences slightly more cloud cover than the national average of 44.46% but less than North Dakota’s average of 46.71%. Despite this, solar panels can still capture sunlight on partly cloudy days, allowing you to generate electricity and save on your energy bills throughout the year.
Saint Thomas North Dakota Electricity Costs
At $0.11/kw for electricity, Saint Thomas residents pay less than the national average of $0.13/kw but slightly more than North Dakota’s average of $0.1/kw. By installing solar panels on your home, you can lower your electricity bills even further and potentially generate excess energy to sell back to the grid, making your investment in solar power a financially savvy decision.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Saint Thomas North Dakota?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Saint Thomas, North Dakota, 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 Thomas gets less precipitation than the national average, making it suitable for solar panel installation.
- The UV ratings are slightly lower than the national average, but still good for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover is slightly higher than the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Saint Thomas pay slightly less for electricity compared to the national average, which can affect the savings from using solar power.
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 and resulting in savings on electricity bills.
- With Saint Thomas’s lower electricity rates, the savings may not be as significant compared to areas with higher rates.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it could take around 10-12 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 10-12 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to exceed the initial investment. Since solar panels last for 25 to 30 years, you’ll continue to enjoy those savings for many years beyond the breakeven point. Investing in solar panels can be a smart financial decision in the long run, while also contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
Investing in solar power in Saint Thomas North Dakota
Installing solar panels in Saint Thomas, North Dakota can be a financially savvy decision in the long run. By analyzing weather trends and electricity costs in the area, we have determined that it could take around 10-12 years to break even on the initial investment in solar panels. Despite slightly lower UV ratings and higher cloud cover, solar panels can still effectively generate electricity and help you save on your energy bills. With the potential to sell excess energy back to the grid and with solar panels lasting up to 30 years, investing in solar power in Saint Thomas can lead to significant long-term savings while also contributing to a more sustainable energy future.