Have you ever wondered how long solar panels last?
It’s no secret that people love switching to solar power. Enough households adopted a grid-powered lifestyle that solar power generated 2.9% of the country’s electricity. Solar energy also helps users build a sustainable home, not relying on the grid for power anymore.
How long do solar panels last, though? People always talk about the benefits of solar panels, but only a few talk about their lifespan. Do they last long enough to justify the cost of a solar panel?
To find out, read what we’ve prepared below. We’ll discuss the average solar panel lifespan and what you can do to improve it.
Average Solar Panel Lifespan
The average solar panel performs in peak efficiency for around 25 years. It lasts as much because a solar panel doesn’t have moving parts. Without external input, it’s rare for a panel to break on its own.
After which, it will still produce electricity, but it won’t be as efficient as before. Manufacturers believe that the performance drop is significant enough that it’s not worth maintaining the current panels you have, encouraging replacement instead.
What Causes Solar Panels to Degrade?
Many factors cause solar panels to degrade. Homeowners will notice that some of their panels last longer than others. They think it’s because of external factors, but it often comes down to the types of solar panels one owns.
Homeowners often get monocrystalline silicon solar panels without knowing it. These are the most popular panels and are the most efficient in warm climates. However, under extreme heat, their performance wavers, and they degrade.
Polycrystalline silicon panels are better in extreme climates but do worse in areas with less heat and sunlight. Despite this, monocrystalline panels last longer in general. They have fewer internal parts, making them degrade slower.
Other factors can affect the longevity of panels, too:
Time
As mentioned above, solar panels will have a significant drop in performance after 25 years. It doesn’t happen all at once, though. The drop starts once a year passes or if solar panels sustain some damage.
Degradation is steady from this point on, with efficiency dropping 0.5% each year. People call this drop rate the solar panel degradation curve, and it affects all PV panels. It’s also an innate quality of solar panels, meaning there’s nothing you can do to prevent it.
What’s great is that manufacturers account for this when making solar panels. It means that the 25-year warranty they provide is still viable in case of unprecedented efficiency loss. This means you’ll still get your money’s worth well before the drop rate affects your panels.
Stormy Weather
While the weather has no direct impact on the longevity of home solar panels, storms can be detrimental to their efficiency. Strong winds can cause tree branches to fall on your roof panels. These can damage the anti-reflective coating by scratching them.
It reduces efficiency since panels won’t absorb as much sunlight as before anymore. Hail can also break the glass on solar panels outright, making it impossible to absorb light.
Even snow, as gentle as it falls, can affect your solar panels’ longevity. Heavy snowfall in your area can build a layer of snow on your panels.
When heavy enough, it compromises the structural integrity of your setup. All these can hasten the degradation process if not break your panels from the get-go.
Installation Issues
When installing solar panels, there are many factors to consider. One such factor is the area where you’ll have them installed. Many think they only need an area that’s clear of any obstruction to ensure solar panels get as much sunlight as they can.
Most homeowners don’t think about the elements surrounding their solar panels when doing this. Things like leaky roofs and uneven bases will be a detriment to your panels later on. Roofs can compromise their durability, while unreliable bases compromise their structural integrity.
Home solar panels also need to have a stable connection system. Anything less can cause short circuits to happen within the panel’s cells.
Ways to Improve Solar Panel Longevity
What’s great is that you can improve your solar panels’ longevity, too. Maintenance is the best way to make them last longer, but because of their durability, you need not do it as much. You can focus on these things to improve longevity instead:
Work With a Reputable Solar Company
Finding a reputable solar company from the get-go solves many potential problems. A trusted, statewide provider takes care of the more complicated things, like installation. Their solar engineers ensure all connections are as safe as they can be and the installation area is up to their standard.
Reputable providers also do regular checkups for you. Doing this is a great way to ensure everything is in order with your system. The inspection also comes with cleaning and repairs should your solar panels need it.
Clear Your Panels of Debris
As mentioned above, these can shake tree branches loose and damage your panels. After a harsh storm, check your solar panels to check if nothing is on top of them.
Avoid pulling debris off to prevent yourself from scratching the glass coating. Lift the debris instead when getting rid of them. Have a professional look at your system afterward to check for potential damages.
Replace Batteries Regularly
While solar panels are durable, their batteries are a different story. Most solar generators come with lithium-ion batteries, which last up to 10 years. Regular inspection is important to make sure there’s no damage to the batteries.
Bad batteries can cause inefficiency in your panels, which causes panels to degrade faster. Replacing and installing batteries properly helps avoid any damage, improving solar panel lifespan.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last? Find Out Today
Solar panels are the best way to create a sustainable home. How long do solar panels last, though? Learn all about their lifespan and find out how you can build the best home for you and your panels today!
Do you want to learn more tips about home management and maintenance? Check our other posts and find out what you can learn today! Become the perfect homeowner and build the perfect home today!