Three Tips To Make Your Home Solar Panels Last Longer
The great thing about solar panels is that they require very little maintenance. Regular solar panel cleaning is generally unnecessary unless your area is highly susceptible to dust, dirt, pollen, or sand due to an arid climate.4
While solar panels generally require little maintenance, its still important to inspect your solar panels from time to time and monitor their performance. Here are a few tips to ensure your solar installation is working at its full capacity:5
Solar Panel Longevity Is Improving
The longevity of solar panels hasnt changed all that much in the last few decades, unlike solar panel efficiencies. As such, older solar panels coming to the end of life might only be running at a fraction of their initial efficiency, but this could still be considerably lower overall than the most modern, high-efficiency panels.
For example, consider a solar panel from 20 years ago, when efficiencies averaged around 11%. Even if that panel has only lost about 1% efficiency each year, which is fairly standard, it will now be just 8.8% efficient .
In contrast, modern, high-efficiency solar panels, such as those from SunPower, are nearly 23% efficient. Thats a colossal difference. To run the math, a brand new SunPower panel with 22.8% efficiency is likely 159% more efficient than an 11% efficient panel bought in 2002:
/ 8.8 x 100 = 159.09%
What about that new solar panel, though? How long will it continue to perform at 22.8% efficiency? The answer is complicated.
Equipment Warranty And Performance Warranty
The average 25-year lifespan of a solar panel aligns with the typical warranty terms that many solar panel manufacturers offer. There are two types of solar panel warranties, and warranty terms can provide you with additional information about the expected life of a solar panel.
The first is an equipment warranty, which guarantees the panel against manufacturing defects. For example, an equipment warranty might guarantee that the panels wont fail for 10 or 12 years.
The second is a performance warranty, which guarantees that your panels will produce at least a minimum amount of electricity over a specific period of time. For example, a performance warranty might guarantee that your panels will produce at least 90% of their maximum production for the first 10 years, and then at least 80% of their maximum production for the next 15 years, for a total performance warranty period of 25 years.
Higher efficiency panels may also come with a better performance warranty, guaranteeing that they maintain that increased efficiency over time.
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What Should You Expect Your Solar Panels Lifespan To Be
Your solar panels are made up of numerous photovoltaic cells linked together and protected by a sheet of glass. These panels are then installed in a location that will receive direct sunlight, which your PV system converts into electricity.
When it comes to your solar power system, the average lifespan of solar panels can vary based on a number of factors. These factors include things you both can and cant control, including:
- Type and quality of your solar panels
- The quality of the installation
- How frequently you perform solar panel maintenance
- Variations in climate, including extremes in temperatures
Even with all of these factors, you should generally expect your solar panels to perform at a high level for 20 to 25 years. Even after this time, your panels wont stop working.
Instead, you may notice that your solar electric production has simply degraded past the point where theyre providing you enough energy. This is due to what is known as the solar degradation rate.
Other Solar System Components That Might Need To Be Replaced
While your panels are the most visible part of your solar energy system, there are a number of other components that are required to help transform and store the electricity your panels produce. Here are some of the most important components you may need to replace during your solar panels lifespan.
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How Quickly Do Solar Panels Degrade
A 2012 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that, on average, solar panel output falls by 0.8% each year. This rate of decline is called the solar panel degradation rate. Though this metric will vary depending on which panel brand you buy, premium manufacturers like SunPower offer degradation rates as low as 0.3%. Solar panel degradation rates are constantly improving as solar panel technology improves over the years, and degradation rates below 1% are now common throughout the industry. In the years since this 2012 study was conducted, more efficient technologies have been developed and many newer panels have just a 0.5% yearly decline in energy output .
So what does panel degradation rate mean exactly? For the above example, a 0.8% degradation rate means that in year two, your panels will operate at 99.2% of their original output by the end of their 25-year useful lifespan, they will still be operating at 82.5%. A slightly more durable panel with a degradation rate of 0.5% will likely produce around 87.5% as much solar power as it did when it was first installed. To determine the projected output of your solar panels after a certain number of years, you can simply multiply the degradation rate by the number of years you are interested in and subtract that number from 100%.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last Without Sunlight
In a total absence of light and the right storage conditions, solar panels may not experience any degradation.
Typically, the panels start to degrade once the installation process begins and they are exposed to light. However, weather, dust, debris, and temperature fluctuations can damage a panel so the storage conditions must be optimal.
In terms of electricity generation, solar panels require at least some light source. However, this doesnt mean they need direct sunlight. Commercial solar panels generate electricity using photons from all-natural light. This means they can function on cloudy days or in positions where they arent in the direct paths of the suns rays.
As long as solar panels are in use, they experience degradation. Therefore, they have an expected lifespan of 25 to 30 years, regardless of their position or light exposure.
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After 25 Years What Happens
The majority of panels installed in Ireland are still under 10 years old. Due to the fact that PV technology is still relatively new theres not a huge amount of data available that indicates what will happen after 25 years with the exception of a slow decrease in efficiency. A 2012 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found the solar panel degradation rate to be 0.8 percent each year but even this has improved since the research was conducted.
An added bonus of the lengthy lifespan is that you dont need to worry about your solar panels carbon footprint. Over 25-30 years they will have produced enough clean energy to offset the energy that was used to make them in the first place. This is known as energy payback time or EPBT.
Have An Installer Regularly Inspect Your Solar Panels
To ensure your solar panels last a long time, make sure your installer or operations and maintenance provider regularly examines your solar panel installation. Frequent maintenance checks can reveal potential issues like loose racking, exposed wires, and other areas of concern. Its important to have a professional check up on your panels instead of doing it yourself because you can void your panel warranty if you end up scratching or otherwise damaging the panels on your roof.
An inspection of your solar panels may also include an inspection of the other equipment involved in a solar installation namely your solar inverters and roof racking system. A typical central inverter for a photovoltaic installation will last between 10 and 15 years and thus will need to be replaced at some point during the lifetime of your solar panels. However, microinverters generally offer the same lifespan as their solar panel counterparts: 25 years. When it comes to racking, its always essential to make sure that your panels are securely mounted to your roof so they dont become loose and move around or fall off entirely.
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Can We Accurately Estimate Solar Panel Lifespan
Since most homeowners are looking for solar pv power to help reduce their electricity costs, it makes sense that you want to predict the life of your solar panels. If you can determine the life expectancy of solar panels accurately, you can calculate the long-term value they offer.
The problem with discussing solar panel lifespan is that solar panels dont just produce the same amount of power for 20 years, and then suddenly stop producing electricity completely. Instead, they slowly degrade over time, producing less and less power as they get older. Homeowners then have to determine when it’s worth replacing those older panels with new panels to get back to maximum energy generation.
The industry uses 25 years as the average solar panel lifespan because data shows thats the amount of time in which most people still receive enough production from their panels to meet their homes energy consumption needs. So if youre wondering how long do solar panels last, a safe answer is around 25 years.
Factors That Affect Solar Panel Efficiency
Various factors may affect the efficiency of your solar panels. While some elements are external and have to do with things outside of the system itself, others are specific to the systems internal workings.
A couple of the internal factors that may affect your panels include:
- Age of your solar panels
- Type of solar panels
- Material composition of the solar panel
These three factors can contribute to the efficiency of your solar panels but are strictly limited to internal factors. Unassociated factors that may affect the efficiency of your solar panels include:
- Upgrades around your home
- Average sun exposure
In addition, your commitment to your solar panel systems efficiency may also play a role in increased or decreased efficiency. Factors that you can control include:
- Keeping your solar panels clean
- Performing routine maintenance
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Tips To Make Your Solar Panels Last Longer
- Choose high-quality panels with a good warranty.
- Keep them clear of bird droppings, plant matter, dirt, and other debris.
- Conduct routine performance checks.
- Replace traditional string inverters every ten years.
- If you have extra batteries, rotate them periodically to extend their lifespan.
- Never leave the batteries drained for too long because this can reduce their energy storage capacity.
How Long Does The Solar Panel Last And How To Make Your Them Last Longer
Everything diesso do solar energy systems.
So, before making any commitments, you want to be sure a solar panel is a worthwhile investment.
To help you make a well-informed decision, this article discusses one commonly asked question among potential solar panel investors how long do solar panels last?
This article discusses why solar panels decline and how to make yours serve longer.
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How Long Do Bluetti Solar Generators Last
Now that we know BLUETTI solar generators use LFP technology we are able to get a better idea on how long they last.
For your convenience we have created a table which indicates the total lifecycles of each BLUETTI model.
| Model | |
| 3,072 Wh | 10,752 kWh |
Another way of looking at it is working out how many years your solar generator will last you.
The easiest way to do this is assume you discharge your solar generator to 100% every single day.
Then the calculation is easy, Lifecycles / 365 days = number of years your solar generator will last you.
For example, the AC200P: 3500 / 365 = 9.5 years of usage.
Now most of us wont discharge every single day, so you can only expect that amount of time to increase .
Choose Solar Panels With A Better Product Warranty
While most solar panel manufacturers provide 15-year product warranties to cover any infant failures, WINAICOs solar modules have an industry-leading 25-year product warranty to protect end customers from the rare occurrences of midlife failures as well.
Our 25-year power guarantee shows an annual power degradation of 0.53%, which is much lower than most other monocrystalline solar panels on the market.
The market-leading power guarantee shows our conviction in both product design and component selection that leads to slower wear-out defects in our products in the harshest of environments.
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The Average Lifespan Of A Solar Panel
The warranty period is usually the assurance that the product will run at 80 % efficiency after it ends. In theory, a solar panel can run smoothly for around 40 years, but its reducing efficiency can propel you to switch earlier. An NREL study concludes that 80 % of them live beyond their warranty span.
Standard Solar Panel Warranty
25-year performance warranty: at least 80% of rated output
The standard warranty for solar panels is 25 years. During this time, the manufacturer guarantees that the panel will operate at or near peak efficiency. Most panels produce at least 80% of their rated output under warranty.
For example, a 300-watt panel should produce at least 240 watts at the end of the 25-year warranty.
Some companies offer 30-year warranties or promise 85% efficiency.
The standard is 25 years with an efficiency of 80%.
10-year product or workmanship warranty: no failures for a decade
Solar panels also have a separate workmanship warranty to cover some manufacturing defects, such as junction box or frame failures. Usually the process warranty is 10 years, some manufacturers offer a 20 year process warranty.It covers the integrity of the panel itself and protects you against defects in material, premature wear and tear, as well as environmental and workmanship issues. The manufacturer may choose to repair or replace the product at their discretion.
Each product of WinSeven Solar provides 12 years of product or workmanship warranty and 25-year performance warranty.Read Solar PV System Design and follow our step-by-step guide to design a perfect system.A warranty will only remain in force as long as your system is designed appropriately.
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Sohow Long Do Solar Panels Last Really
So what happens after the 25 year mark is up? Panels that output at 80% efficiency still work, right?
There arent any tricks here the answer is yes! If your panels still output energy, theres no real reason to replace them.
Panels frequently produce energy long after their warranty expires. According to a 2012 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory , the average degradation rate for panels is between 0.5% to 0.8% per year.
Degradation rate is the rate at which solar panels lose efficiency over time. A panel with a degradation rate of 1% per year will be 10% less efficient after 10 years.
In fact, 78% of systems tested had a degradation rate of less than 1% per year. That means that after 25 years of use, about 4 out of 5 solar panels still operate at 75% efficiency or better.
At this point, its fair to estimate your solar panels will still produce energy in some capacity, long after the warranty is up. For a great example, check out this 30-year old panel featured in Green Building Advisor. When the owner pulled it off his roof and ran it through tests, it still performed better than the factory specifications.
Keep Your Panel Away From Debris And Other Harmful Substance
Certain external harmful substances can affect the service life of solar panels. These include the accumulation of dust, pollen, leaves, and bird droppings. Though rain helps in cleaning your panel, it may also contribute to the accumulation of dust.
At the same time, when you install the solar panel for the first time, it is highly recommended you allow the installer to ensure that there is no shadow cast by trees or branches falling on the solar panel.
As long as you can avoid physical damage to your solar panels caused by the environment, they will continue to generate energy for many years, and their life may be more than 25 – 50 years.
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Are Solar Panels Covered By Home Insurance
Buildings insurance policies usually include the option to have solar panels because theyre part of the fixtures of your home.
Its worth contacting your insurer before you get the panels installed to see whether your policy includes a photovoltaic system.
The average annual cost of buildings insurance is £119.22, according to the AAs British Insurance Premium Index. Adding solar panels to this might increase the cost of your home insurance, but not by much. And, with up to £6,000 worth of equipment being covered, this insurance is certainly a small price to pay.
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Factors That Impact The Panel Degradation Rate
The panel degradation rate refers to the natural decrease in solar panel output through the years. On average, the output of solar panels falls by 0.8% every year. Different factors impact how quickly the output of a solar panel degrades.
Most importantly, the brand of the solar panel will impact its degradation rate. More premium brands degrade slower. SunPower, for example, has a degradation rate of 0.3%, which is lower than the average.
Similarly, various companies offer different warranties. Check out the warranties offered to help pick out the right solar panel company for you. You always want to select a company that offers a robust warranty. Many warranties can last 10 to 12 years.