Overview
If you live in Silver City, New Mexico, installing solar panels on your home could save you a significant amount of money on your electricity bills. By analyzing weather data for the area and estimating the cost of a solar system, we can show you how quickly you can break even on your investment. With the high average UV rating, low percentage of cloud cover, and relatively low precipitation in Silver City, solar panels are a smart financial decision that can benefit both your wallet and the environment.
Silver City New Mexico Weather Trends
Silver City Precipitation
With just 9.97 inches of precipitation in the last year, Silver City New Mexico is in the 1st percentile in the nation and the 37th percentile in New Mexico for total precipitation. This low amount of rainfall means less interference with your solar panels, resulting in more consistent energy production throughout the year.
Silver City’s UV Rating
Having an average UV rating of 4.76 last year, Silver City is in the 72nd percentile in the nation and the 57th percentile in New Mexico. This high UV rating means your solar panels will receive plenty of sunlight, allowing you to generate more clean energy compared to areas with lower UV ratings.
Silver City’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 20% cloud cover in the last year, Silver City is in the 1st percentile in the nation and the 18th percentile in New Mexico. This means that the sky is often clear, providing ample sunlight for your solar panels to produce electricity efficiently. Less cloud cover leads to higher energy output from your solar system.
Silver City New Mexico Electricity Costs
At just $0.14/kw, Silver City residents pay more than the national average of $0.13/kw but less than the state average of $0.15/kw for electricity. By installing solar panels, you can reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources and take control of your electricity costs. Over time, this can lead to significant savings on your monthly bills while also reducing your carbon footprint.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Silver City New Mexico?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Silver City, 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:
- Silver City receives less precipitation than the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings are higher than the national average, providing plenty of sunlight for solar power generation.
- The cloud cover in Silver City is lower than the national average, with many days having clear skies ideal for solar energy production.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Silver City pay a bit more for electricity compared to the national average, but it’s still reasonable.
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, which means you won’t need to purchase as much from the grid.
- With Silver City’s electricity rates, the savings from using solar power will add up over time.
After evaluating the numbers, it appears that it would take approximately 5-6 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after this time period, the money saved on electricity bills will start to offset the investment. Additionally, considering that solar panels last for many years, you’ll continue to benefit from these savings for a long time. Investing in solar power is a smart way to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment in the long run!
Investing in solar power in Silver City New Mexico
Installing solar panels in Silver City, New Mexico is a wise financial decision that offers numerous benefits. With the area’s high UV rating, low cloud cover, and minimal precipitation, solar panels can generate consistent energy and significant savings on electricity bills. By breaking down the costs and analyzing the weather trends, it’s evident that investing in solar power in Silver City is a smart way to both save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Take advantage of the ideal conditions in Silver City to make a long-lasting impact on your finances and the environment!