4kw Solar PV System Electricity Production Estimates for St. Louis, Missouri
Here is a look at the expected values a solar panel system would be able to create in terms of electricity and final dollar savings on a monthly basis in St. Louis. A key component to this equation is the actual cost per kwh for each person from the utility company. If that number is higher than the $0.12/kwh used in this equation, it will positively affect the value of a solar system for future years.
Here is the data points including the tilt angle of the solar panels towards the sun:
| St. Louis, Missouri Solar Energy Details | |
| City: | St._Louis |
| State: | Missouri |
| Latitude: | 38.75° N |
| Longitude: | 90.38° W |
| Elevation: | 172 m |
| PV System Specifications | |
| DC Rating: | 4.0 kW |
| DC to AC Derate Factor: | 0.770 |
| AC Rating: | 3.1 kW |
| Array Type: | Fixed Tilt |
| Array Tilt: | 38.8° |
| Array Azimuth: | 180.0° |
| Energy Specifications | |
| Cost of Electricity: | 12.0 ¢/kWh |
The actual KWH Output estimates are in this table:
| Results of Solar KWH Energy |
|||
| Month | Solar Radiation (kWh/m 2/day) |
AC Energy (kWh) |
Energy Value ($) |
| 1 | 3.60 | 355 | 42.60 |
| 2 | 4.22 | 368 | 44.16 |
| 3 | 5.09 | 469 | 56.28 |
| 4 | 5.40 | 466 | 55.92 |
| 5 | 5.67 | 488 | 58.56 |
| 6 | 5.83 | 476 | 57.12 |
| 7 | 5.86 | 488 | 58.56 |
| 8 | 5.50 | 458 | 54.96 |
| 9 | 5.33 | 444 | 53.28 |
| 10 | 4.83 | 434 | 52.08 |
| 11 | 3.53 | 319 | 38.28 |
| 12 | 3.02 | 294 | 35.28 |
| Year | 4.83 | 5059 | 607.08 |
A great idea for anyone considering going solar in St. Louis, MO would be to investigate the local solar credits or rebate programs that might exist. This will ultimately make the decision making process to go or not to go solar much easier. Many towns are begin to adopt favorable programs with either property tax exemptions or other local rebates to help with the upfront solar costs.
If the cost per kwh increased to 17 cents/kwh, here would be the final results with a 4kw system:
| Results with $0.17/kwh prices |
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| Month | Solar Radiation (kWh/m 2/day) |
AC Energy (kWh) |
Energy Value ($) |
| 1 | 3.60 | 355 | 60.35 |
| 2 | 4.22 | 368 | 62.56 |
| 3 | 5.09 | 469 | 79.73 |
| 4 | 5.40 | 466 | 79.22 |
| 5 | 5.67 | 488 | 82.96 |
| 6 | 5.83 | 476 | 80.92 |
| 7 | 5.86 | 488 | 82.96 |
| 8 | 5.50 | 458 | 77.86 |
| 9 | 5.33 | 444 | 75.48 |
| 10 | 4.83 | 434 | 73.78 |
| 11 | 3.53 | 319 | 54.23 |
| 12 | 3.02 | 294 | 49.98 |
| Year | 4.83 | 5059 | 860.03 |
And here would be the costs if each kwh from the utility was $.25
| Results with $.25/kwh from utility |
|||
| Month | Solar Radiation (kWh/m 2/day) |
AC Energy (kWh) |
Energy Value ($) |
| 1 | 3.60 | 355 | 88.75 |
| 2 | 4.22 | 368 | 92.00 |
| 3 | 5.09 | 469 | 117.25 |
| 4 | 5.40 | 466 | 116.50 |
| 5 | 5.67 | 488 | 122.00 |
| 6 | 5.83 | 476 | 119.00 |
| 7 | 5.86 | 488 | 122.00 |
| 8 | 5.50 | 458 | 114.50 |
| 9 | 5.33 | 444 | 111.00 |
| 10 | 4.83 | 434 | 108.50 |
| 11 | 3.53 | 319 | 79.75 |
| 12 | 3.02 | 294 | 73.50 |
| Year | 4.83 | 5059 | 1264.75 |
