Overview
If you’re a resident of Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, looking to save money on your electricity bills, installing solar panels on your home could be a wise investment. By analyzing weather data specific to your area, such as inches of precipitation, average max UV rating, average UV rating, and average percentage cloud cover over the course of 365 days, we can estimate the financial benefits of going solar. With basic electricity costs factored in, we’ll break down the cost of a solar system and project how long it will take for you to break even, making a compelling case for why solar power is a smart choice for your home in Snoqualmie Pass.
Snoqualmie Pass Washington Weather Trends
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation
With an impressive 71.38 inches of precipitation in the last year, Snoqualmie Pass ranks in the 90th percentile in the nation and the 83rd percentile in Washington. This high level of precipitation presents a great opportunity for residents to harness the power of solar energy, especially when compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and Washington’s average of 45.64 inches.
Snoqualmie Pass’s UV Rating
Despite having a lower average UV rating of 2.75, placing Snoqualmie Pass in the 1st percentile in both the nation and Washington, solar panels can still be a beneficial investment. When compared to the national average of 4.29 and Washington’s average of 3.64, the potential for generating solar power is evident. Additionally, with an average max UV rating of 2.93, Snoqualmie Pass is in the 7th percentile nationally and the 1st percentile in Washington.
Snoqualmie Pass’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 58% cloud cover in the last year, Snoqualmie Pass is in the 93rd percentile nationally and the 89th percentile in Washington. Despite the higher cloud cover compared to the national average of 44.46% and Washington’s average of 49.1%, there are still plenty of clear days to capture sunlight for solar energy production. In fact, there were 81 days with 0-25% cloud cover, 69 days with 25-50% cloud cover, 66 days with 50-75% cloud cover, and 148 days with 75-100% cloud cover.
Snoqualmie Pass Washington Electricity Costs
Residents of Snoqualmie Pass pay approximately $0.11 per kilowatt-hour for electricity, positioning them in the 25th percentile nationally and the 87th percentile in Washington. While this cost is slightly lower than the national average of $0.13/kw, it is higher than Washington’s average of $0.10/kw. By installing solar panels, residents can not only reduce their electricity bills but also contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy source.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Snoqualmie Pass Washington?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, 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:
- Snoqualmie Pass gets more precipitation than the national average, but it still receives a good amount of sunlight for solar panels to work effectively.
- The UV ratings in Snoqualmie Pass are lower than the national average, but they are still sufficient for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Snoqualmie Pass is higher than the national average, which may affect the efficiency of solar panels.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Snoqualmie Pass pay slightly less for electricity compared to the national average.
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 less electricity needs to be purchased from the grid.
- With slightly lower electricity rates in Snoqualmie Pass, the savings are still significant.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 8-10 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. That means, after 8-10 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to add up and pay off the investment. And remember, solar panels last for a long time, so after that initial period, you’ll be enjoying those savings for many years to come. It’s a smart way to save money and help the environment at the same time!
Investing in solar power in Snoqualmie Pass Washington
Installing solar panels in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington can be a beneficial investment due to the high level of precipitation, despite lower UV ratings and higher cloud cover. With electricity costs slightly lower than the national average, residents can expect to break even on the initial cost of a solar system in approximately 8-10 years. By harnessing the power of solar energy, residents not only save money on electricity bills but also contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy source. Investing in solar panels is a smart choice for homeowners in Snoqualmie Pass looking to save money in the long run while reducing their carbon footprint.