Overview
Have you ever thought about taking advantage of Virginia’s sunny weather to save money on your electricity bills? In this article, we will show you how installing solar panels on your home in Surry can help you cut costs and break even in a reasonable amount of time. By analyzing a year’s worth of weather data and electricity rates, we will demonstrate how harnessing solar power can be a smart financial decision for residents in Surry.
Surry Virginia Weather Trends
Surry Precipitation
Surry Virginia received 72.84 inches of precipitation in the last year, ranking it in the 92nd percentile nationally and the 96th percentile within Virginia. Comparatively, the national average for total precipitation is 50.61 inches, while Virginia’s average is 56.77 inches. With an abundance of precipitation, Surry has the ideal conditions for maximizing the efficiency of solar panels.
Surry’s UV Rating
In the last year, Surry Virginia had an average UV rating of 4.56, placing it in the 66th percentile nationwide and the 71st percentile within Virginia. The national average for UV rating is 4.29, and Virginia’s average is 4.41. Additionally, Surry had an average max UV rating of 4.82, positioning it in the 53rd percentile nationally and the 60th percentile within Virginia. These high UV ratings make Surry an excellent location for harnessing solar energy.
Surry’s Cloud Cover
Surry Virginia had an average of 43% cloud cover in the last year, ranking it in the 45th percentile nationally and the 44th percentile within Virginia. The national average for cloud cover is 44.46%, while Virginia’s average is 44.78%. With a considerable number of days with clear skies, Surry provides ample sunlight for solar panels to generate electricity efficiently, even on partially cloudy days.
Surry Virginia Electricity Costs
Surry Virginia residents pay about $0.12/kw for electricity, placing the area in the 54th percentile nationwide and the 38th percentile within Virginia. In comparison, the national average for residential electricity is $0.13/kw, and Virginia’s average is also $0.12/kw. By taking advantage of the relatively low electricity costs in Surry, installing solar panels can lead to substantial savings on energy bills over time.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Surry Virginia?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Surry Virginia, 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:
- Surry Virginia receives more precipitation than the national average, but it still has enough sunshine for solar panels to be effective.
- UV ratings in Surry Virginia are higher than the national average, making it a good location for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Surry Virginia is slightly lower than the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Surry Virginia 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, reducing the amount needed from the grid.
- With Surry Virginia’s lower electricity rates, the savings are slightly less compared to the national average.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 5-6 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 5-6 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start paying off the investment. Since solar panels last for a long time, you’ll continue to save money for many years after that initial period. Investing in solar power is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly!
Investing in solar power in Surry Virginia
After analyzing the weather trends in Surry Virginia and the electricity costs in the area, it is evident that installing solar panels can be a wise financial decision for residents. With an abundance of precipitation and high UV ratings, Surry provides ideal conditions for harnessing solar energy. Additionally, the relatively low electricity costs in the area can lead to substantial savings over time. By breaking down the investment in solar panels, it is estimated that residents could expect to break even on the initial cost in about 5-6 years. Investing in solar power not only saves money but also contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.