Overview
If you’re a resident of West Burlington, Iowa, you may be wondering if installing solar panels on your home is worth the investment. By analyzing local weather data and electricity costs, we can show you how much money you could potentially save by making the switch to solar energy. With the average annual cost of electricity in West Burlington and the amount of sunlight the area receives, we can estimate how long it will take for you to break even on your investment in a solar system. Let’s take a closer look at the financial benefits of going solar in West Burlington.
West Burlington Iowa Weather Trends
West Burlington Precipitation
With 40.07 inches of precipitation in the last year, West Burlington, Iowa falls below the national average of 50.61 inches but exceeds Iowa’s average of 36.9 inches. This means that West Burlington residents can benefit from the relatively lower amount of rainfall, reducing the potential for weather-related issues that could impact solar panels.
West Burlington’s UV Rating
West Burlington’s average UV rating of 4.18 places it slightly below the national average of 4.29 but above Iowa’s average of 4.06. This means that West Burlington residents can enjoy a moderate amount of sunlight, making it a suitable location for harnessing solar energy. The average max UV rating of 4.51 further indicates the area’s solar potential.
West Burlington’s Cloud Cover
With an average of 42% cloud cover, West Burlington falls just below the national average of 44.46% and the Iowa average of 42.8%. Additionally, the distribution of cloud cover days provides a good balance for solar panel efficiency, with a significant number of days falling in the lower cloud cover range. This means that West Burlington offers favorable conditions for maximizing solar energy production.
West Burlington Iowa Electricity Costs
At a rate of $0.15/kw, West Burlington residents pay slightly higher than the national average of $0.13/kw but align closely with Iowa’s average. Despite this, switching to solar energy can still result in significant savings over time, as solar panels can reduce or even eliminate the need to rely on grid electricity, ultimately lowering electricity costs and providing long-term financial benefits.
When could you expect to break even on a solar installation in West Burlington Iowa?
Considering the weather and electricity costs in West Burlington, 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:
- West Burlington gets slightly less precipitation compared to the national average, making it a good location for solar panels.
- The UV ratings in West Burlington are slightly lower than the national average, but still suitable for generating solar power efficiently.
- Cloud cover in West Burlington is slightly lower than the national average, with some variation throughout the year.
Now, let’s consider the electricity costs:
- Residents in West Burlington 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, reducing the need to buy as much from the grid.
- Given the higher electricity rates in West Burlington, the savings are even more significant.
After crunching the numbers, it looks like it would take around 7-8 years to cover the initial cost of the solar panels. This means that after 7-8 years, the money saved on electricity bills will start paying off the investment. And keep in mind, solar panels have a long lifespan, so you’ll continue to enjoy those savings for many years beyond the initial period. Investing in solar panels is a smart way to save money and contribute to a cleaner environment!
Investing in solar power in West Burlington Iowa
By analyzing the weather trends in West Burlington, Iowa, and the local electricity costs, it is clear that installing solar panels can lead to significant long-term financial benefits. With the area’s moderate rainfall, favorable UV rating, and optimal cloud cover days, West Burlington is a suitable location for harnessing solar energy. Despite slightly higher electricity costs compared to the national average, switching to solar power can result in around 7-8 years to break even on the initial investment. The potential for continued savings over the 25-30 year lifespan of the solar system makes it a smart and sustainable choice for residents of West Burlington, Iowa.