Solar By City

Solar and Electricity Data for Shelby, MI: Does a Solar Installation Make Sense?

Shelby, MI at a glance

Overall Cloud Coverage Precipitation UV Index Electricity Cost
3.8/10 2.1/10 6.1/10 1.3/10 9.4/10
Not Bad 52% daily 4 inches monthly 3.4 on average 0.16/kw

Overview

If you live in Shelby Michigan, installing solar panels on your home can save you money in the long run. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to Shelby, we can estimate the financial benefits of switching to solar energy. With the right system, you could break even within a few years and start seeing significant savings on your energy bills. Let’s explore how solar panels can be a smart investment for your home in Shelby.

Shelby Michigan Weather Trends

Shelby Precipitation

With Shelby Michigan receiving 45.4 inches of precipitation in the last year, it is evident that the area has a decent amount of rainfall. However, when compared to the national average of 50.61 inches, Shelby falls slightly below. Fortunately, Michigan’s average of 44.01 inches is lower as well, making Shelby a good candidate for harnessing solar energy.

Shelby’s UV Rating

Shelby Michigan had an average UV rating of 3.37 in the last year, which is lower than the national average of 4.29. However, Michigan’s average UV rating is similar at 3.43. With an average max UV rating of 3.49, Shelby’s potential for harnessing solar energy is promising despite being below the national and state averages.

Shelby’s Cloud Cover

With an average of 52% cloud cover in the last year, Shelby Michigan has more clouds compared to the national average of 44.46%. However, Michigan’s average cloud cover of 52.98% is similar to Shelby’s. Despite this, Shelby still has 91 days with minimal cloud cover, making it a viable location for solar panel installation.

Shelby Michigan Electricity Costs

Residents in Shelby Michigan pay about $0.16/kw for electricity, which is higher than both the national average of $0.13/kw and Michigan’s average of $0.16/kw. Despite this, switching to solar energy can help offset these costs in the long run, providing significant savings on energy bills for Shelby residents.

When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Shelby Michigan?

Considering the weather and electricity costs in Shelby Michigan, 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:

  • Shelby Michigan receives slightly less precipitation than the national average, making it a suitable location for solar panels.
  • The UV ratings in Shelby Michigan are a bit lower than the national average, but still adequate for generating solar power.
  • Cloud cover in Shelby Michigan is slightly higher than the national average, with fluctuations throughout the year.

Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:

  • Residents in Shelby Michigan pay more for electricity compared to the national average, at $0.16/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:

  • By generating electricity from solar panels, residents can reduce their reliance on the grid, especially with Shelby Michigan’s higher electricity rates.

After doing the math, it seems that it would take approximately 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 6-7 years, the money saved on electricity bills will begin to offset the investment in solar panels. Since solar panels have a long lifespan, the savings will continue for many years beyond the payback period. Investing in solar energy is not only a financially wise decision but also an environmentally friendly one.

Investing in solar power in Shelby Michigan

Installing solar panels in Shelby Michigan can be a smart investment for residents looking to save money on their energy bills. By analyzing the weather trends and electricity costs specific to Shelby, we can see that the area has the potential for harnessing solar energy effectively. Despite slightly lower precipitation and UV ratings compared to national averages, Shelby still offers a suitable environment for solar panel installation. With electricity costs higher than the national average, switching to solar power can lead to significant savings in the long run. Based on the data, it is estimated that residents could break even on their investment in solar panels within 6-7 years, after which the savings will continue for many more years. Overall, investing in solar energy in Shelby Michigan is a financially wise and environmentally friendly decision.