Overview
Are you an Urbana Illinois resident looking to save money on your electricity bill while also helping the environment? Installing solar panels on your home could be the solution for you! By analyzing weather data specific to Urbana Illinois, we can show you how much money you could potentially save each year by harnessing the power of the sun. In this article, we will break down the cost of a solar system, estimate how long it will take to break even, and show you the financial benefits of making the switch to solar energy.
Urbana Illinois Weather Trends
Urbana Precipitation
With only 37.32 inches of precipitation in the last year, Urbana Illinois falls below the national average of 50.61 inches. Although Urbana ranks in the 6th percentile in Illinois, you can still benefit from solar panels even with lower precipitation levels. By harnessing the power of the sun, you can offset your electricity usage and save money in the long run.
Urbana’s UV Rating
Considering Urbana’s average UV rating of 4.12, which is in the 50th percentile nationwide, you have ideal conditions for solar panel efficiency. While it may not receive the highest UV ratings, Urbana’s level still allows for significant energy generation. By investing in solar panels, you can capitalize on this natural resource and reduce your reliance on traditional electricity sources.
Urbana’s Cloud Cover
With an average cloud cover of 44%, Urbana Illinois offers favorable conditions for solar panel effectiveness. This places Urbana in the 51st percentile nationally, indicating a decent amount of sunshine throughout the year. By taking advantage of the 120 days with clear skies, you can maximize your solar energy production and increase your savings on electricity bills.
Urbana Illinois Electricity Costs
Compared to the national average of $0.13/kw, Urbana residents pay a lower rate of $0.1/kw for electricity. This puts Urbana in the 6th percentile nationwide and the 4th percentile in Illinois. By installing solar panels on your home, you can further reduce your electricity costs and potentially even generate excess energy to sell back to the grid.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Urbana Illinois?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Urbana Illinois, 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:
- Urbana Illinois receives slightly less precipitation than the national average, making it suitable for solar panels to work effectively.
- The UV ratings in Urbana Illinois are slightly lower than the national average, but still good for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Urbana Illinois is about average for the country, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Urbana Illinois pay less for electricity compared to the national average, which is favorable for solar savings.
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.
- With Urbana Illinois’ lower electricity rates, the savings might not be as high as in other areas, but they still contribute to covering the initial cost.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 10-15 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. Thus, after 10-15 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start to accumulate and pay off the investment. Keep in mind that solar panels last for a long time, so after that initial period, you’ll continue to benefit from those savings for many years to come. It’s a wise financial and environmentally-friendly choice!
Investing in solar power in Urbana Illinois
Installing solar panels in Urbana Illinois can be a smart investment for both your wallet and the environment. With favorable weather conditions and lower electricity costs, residents can expect to break even on their solar panel installation in about 10-15 years. After that initial period, the savings on electricity bills will continue to accumulate, making the switch to solar energy a financially wise and environmentally-friendly choice for Urbana residents.