Overview
In Watertown Massachusetts, installing solar panels on your home can save you money in the long run. By analyzing local weather data and electricity costs, we have determined that a solar system can pay for itself in a certain number of years. With the amount of sunlight available, you can generate enough energy to offset your electricity bills and even earn money through net metering programs. Learn more about the financial benefits of going solar in Watertown and how you can start saving today.
Watertown Massachusetts Weather Trends
Watertown Precipitation
In the last year, Watertown Massachusetts received 66.03 inches of precipitation, ranking it in the 34th percentile in the state and the 82nd percentile in the nation. Compared to the national average of 50.61 inches and Massachusetts’s average of 68.09 inches, Watertown falls right in the middle. With a decent amount of rainfall, you can benefit from solar energy production even during cloudy days.
Watertown’s UV Rating
Watertown Massachusetts had an average UV rating of 3.66 in the last year, placing it in the 66th percentile in the state and the 27th percentile in the nation. Although it’s not the sunniest place, this rating is still sufficient for effective solar panel operation. With the average max UV rating of 3.87, Watertown residents can expect consistent sunlight to generate clean energy.
Watertown’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 51% cloud cover in the last year, Watertown Massachusetts ranks in the 61st percentile in the state and the 77th percentile in the nation. Despite some cloudy days, the majority of days fall within the range of 0-50% cloud cover, offering ample opportunities for solar energy production. By harnessing the power of the sun during clear days, you can still benefit from generating electricity.
Watertown Massachusetts Electricity Costs
Watertown residents pay about $0.22/kw for electricity, placing them in the 91st percentile in Massachusetts and the 99th percentile in the nation. Although this cost is in line with the state average, it is significantly higher than the national average of $0.13/kw. By switching to solar panels, you can save money on electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint over time.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in Watertown Massachusetts?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in Watertown, Massachusetts, 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:
- Watertown gets more rain than the national average, but it’s still sunny enough for solar panels to work effectively.
- The UV ratings are slightly lower than the national average, but they’re still good for generating solar power.
- Cloud cover is slightly higher than the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in Watertown pay more 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 we don’t need to buy as much from the grid.
- With Watertown’s higher electricity rates, the savings are even greater.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 6-7 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. That means, after 6-7 years, the money you save 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 Watertown Massachusetts
Installing solar panels in Watertown Massachusetts is a wise financial decision that can lead to significant savings in the long term. By harnessing the power of the sun, you can generate clean energy to offset your electricity bills and even make money through net metering programs. With favorable weather conditions and higher-than-average electricity costs in Watertown, a standard solar system can pay for itself in about 6-7 years. This means that after the initial investment, you’ll start seeing substantial savings on your electricity bills, all while reducing your carbon footprint. Going solar in Watertown is not just a smart financial move but also a step towards a greener future.