Overview
Are you a resident of Washington, West Virginia looking to save money on your electricity bills? Installing solar panels on your home could be a smart financial decision for you. By analyzing weather data and electricity costs specific to your area, we will show you how a solar system can help you break even on your investment in a reasonable amount of time. Keep reading to learn more about the financial benefits of going solar in Washington, West Virginia.
Washington West Virginia Weather Trends
Washington Precipitation
Washington, West Virginia received 53.08 inches of precipitation in the last year, ranking it in the 54th percentile nationally and the 30th percentile within West Virginia. While the national average stands at 50.61 inches, West Virginia’s average is slightly higher at 57.58 inches. Despite receiving slightly more precipitation than the national average, Washington is well within the norm for West Virginia in terms of rainfall.
Washington’s UV Rating
With an average UV rating of 3.93, Washington, West Virginia falls in the 42nd percentile nationally and the 47th percentile within the state. Comparatively, the national average UV rating is 4.29, while West Virginia’s average comes in at 4.01. The average max UV rating of 4.32 places Washington in the 41st percentile nationwide and the 52nd percentile within West Virginia. These moderate UV ratings suggest that solar panels can be effective in Washington for harnessing solar energy.
Washington’s Cloud Cover
Washington, West Virginia experienced an average of 49% cloud cover in the last year, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally and the 27th percentile within the state. The national average for cloud cover is 44.46%, while West Virginia’s average is slightly higher at 51.1%. With variations in cloud cover throughout the year, Washington has opportunities to generate solar energy even with some cloudy days.
Washington West Virginia Electricity Costs
Residents of Washington, West Virginia pay approximately $0.11/kW for electricity, positioning the area in the 36th percentile nationally and the 33rd percentile within the state. The national average for residential electricity costs is $0.13/kW, while West Virginia’s average is $0.12/kW. By taking advantage of the lower-than-average electricity costs in Washington, installing solar panels can lead to significant savings on your energy bills over time.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Washington West Virginia?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Washington, West 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:
- Washington, West Virginia receives slightly more precipitation than the national average, but it still has enough sunshine for solar panels to be effective.
- The UV ratings in Washington, West Virginia are slightly lower than the national average, but they are still good for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover in Washington, West Virginia is slightly higher than the national average, with variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Washington, West 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 Washington, West Virginia’s slightly lower electricity rates, the savings are still significant.
After analyzing the data, it appears that it would take around 7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels in Washington, West Virginia. After this period, the money saved on electricity bills will begin to accumulate and offset the investment. Additionally, since solar panels have a long lifespan, these savings will continue for many years beyond the break-even point. Investing in solar energy is a wise choice for both financial savings and environmental impact!
Investing in solar power in Washington West Virginia
After analyzing the weather trends and electricity costs in Washington, West Virginia, it is evident that installing solar panels can lead to significant financial benefits. With the area receiving enough sunshine for solar panels to be effective, along with slightly lower electricity costs compared to the national average, residents can expect to break even on their investment in approximately 7 years. Not only will the initial cost be covered, but the savings on electricity bills will continue for many years to come, making solar energy a smart choice for both financial savings and environmental impact!